from the nature of things<.> suppose we had no histories to look into that while the belief of Deity is not applyed to the encouragment of mercy justice gratitude love & all that is good & social; but on the contrary to inflame men’s mind<s> with a false mischevous fancy of a divine regard for whims & sounds about which men while they are men will ever differ<.> it were much better for society that there were no knowledge of Diety at all in it; but men were left to the simple workings of these natural affections with which wise providence has very aptly fur<n>ished us. Sure I am if we can have any just notions of goodness or true majesty the Diety would much rather that they never thought of him than that they should by false & corrupt conce<i>ts concerning <11> his glory or honour be made to imagine that they can please & gratify him
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in contending with violence & rage over the bowels of all that is benign or social in his nature for any speculations whatsoever. What can it be to a good & wise diety if a man cultivates the social & generous affections which make him a natural & useful member of his kind; whither he prefers the blue or the green colour; or whither he likes a flute or an organ best. And what, Prythee My Freind, are the notions miscalled religious about which sectaries have hated & persecuted one another in all ages; but meer speculations that have as litle connection with vertue & sociality. Wou’d any man that merits the caracter of wise and good put the happiness of humane society in competition with empty insignificant trifles or even with his own favourite taste and fancy?
Heus age responde, minimum est, quod scire laboro:
De Jove quid sentis? Estne ut praeponere cures
Hunc cuiquam? Cuinam? Vis Staio? An scilicet haeres?
Quis potior Judex, pueris quis aptior orbis?
Per: sat 2d1 <12>
A just conception of the Deity is certainly the most strong incitement to great & good actions: & <a> never failing source of rational comfort to an honest generous mind conscious of its own worth and integrity. And therefore it is a great pity that due care shou’d not be taken to make this motive as universal as possible in its influence. It is plain from the history of mankind that they will alwise be influenced by some religious beleif. And it is as true that this cheifly depends upon the publick leading. And for this reason the principle art in the modelling of society is to make this beleif of the best & most beneficial sort. And how ever difficult it may be to root out any religion when it is become old and has been long established & revered: And indeed I beleive nothing is more so: Yet I cannot see why in the original forming of things a good beleif might not be as easily planted & made as universal in its influence by the publick authority as a bad one. And my enquiry with you, My Freind, is about the religion of the state.
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Or what shou’d be the religious part of the constitution in a <13> weel constructed policy. A great deal of mecanical zeal there must be in every society and that just of the complexion of the publick faith whatever it be. And if the publick faith were good this mecanical zeal wou’d do as much good as now for the most part it does harm. If the beleif of the state were “That there is a God of infinite goodness who loves mankind vertue sociality and free:examination & whose favour is only to be gained by loving mankind justice and liberty” and this was duly inculcated upon us by dignities that wou’d indeed be venerable if this was their office & that with all the solemnities which now gain reverence & promote zeal for things of a very different nature. Then wou’d the publick beleif concenter with the very design of society; & all the zeal or warmth it coud produce wou’d be zeal & warmth for society & its happiness. Then wou’d the publick religion be the guardian of all the common entrests of mankind and our publick instructers faithful defenders of mankind’s best & most valuable priviledges. And this, My Freind, is the established religion I am pleading for. The only <14> useful publick leading either to religion or mankind.
But to discuss this question about the state religion a litle more formally allow me to enquire whither it be practicable to alter a constetution so far as to introduce this happy nay only happy publick religion. And then for a further illustration of our argument to glan<c>e a litle more particularly at the bad effects that flow from other establis<h>ed creeds.
“Machiavel that admirable Politician observes that even when one wou’d change the constitution of a state to bring the alteration into a likeing & the better with every ones satisfaction to maintain it he must keep the form or shaddow of the ancient customs. For thus the people who are not able to look further than the outward appearances of things seing the same officers, the same courts of justice, and other external formalities, are insensible of any innovation, and beleive themselves in possession of their old goverment tho indeed it be quite changed. The Romans knowing this necessity when first they lived free, having in place of one King created two consuls wou’d not suffer them to have more then twelve Lectors, because this was the number that attended the King. And when <15> the yearly sacrifice was made in Rome which cou’d not be done without the presence of the King that the people by the absence of a King might not find any
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deficiency in the old ceremonies; they created a head of that sacrifice whom they called the King Preist, who yet was in <a> lower degree than the high Preist. And thus the people was satisfied with that sacrifice and had no occasion by any default to miss their Kings; or wish them restored. And this rule says he they ought all to observe that wou’d cancell the old manner of living in a city and reduce it to a new & free course. All novalties some what move mens minds & therefore all reformers shou’d Endeavour to work their designed alterations as much as may be into the old mould & shape. Thus if the magistrates both in number durance & authority differ from the ancient at least they shou’d retain the same name.”2
And certainly this policy is good whither the changes be designed in the civil or the sacred constitutions of a state. And when I have reflected upon this political observation; I have frequently been tempted to think that it wou’d not be altogether impossible to make considerable changes in a publick religion, as difficult as innovations of this sort are commonly accounted, if the thing was but managed with suitable wisdom & policy. Thus let us have reverent garbs, holy places, orders, times, and all the other external forms of a Mother Church; & I cou’d almost beleive, her doctrines instead of metaphysical unintelligible cant, or pernicious inflammatory po<i>son <16> might be most agreeably metamorphosed into good plain wholesome food & the greater bulk of her zealous votaries not perceive the change. And sure I am if the disguise of the vehicle took, & it got leave to ly in the Stomach till it was weel concocted & had but once mixed with the blood, it wou’d quickly make such a sweet alteration on the temper & constitution as wou’d sufficiently recomend it afterwards; & discard for ever all the former sour corrupting stuff which they wou’d then find to have been of the most noxious & disturbing quality; and to have produced the most distructive plagues and convulsions with which their body politick has ever been tormented.
But oh! My Freind, in order to carry on this happy change how many things are necessary what a spirit of liberty & true philosophy what love
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of God & mankind what disenterestedness & publick affection must first possess & actuate the souls of those who move in the higher orbits of life! The secondary sort of mortals are but attendants to the first & higher orders and are intirely guided & influenced by their movements. Or at least they might easily be deceived by proper policy as children are by flattery & sweet meats to go to school or do any other thing their Parents and tutors think good for them. But who shall give generosity and honest boldness to those who must begin & carry on this blessed change. All
