of Humanity. If this were so, to sanctify our Natures, were not to renew, but to destroy them. When we are commanded to put off the old Man, we are not enjoin'd to renounce our Faculties of Reason. When we are bidden not to think our own Thoughts, it is not intended that we should forbear all Natural Actions and Inclinations. Such Scriptures as these are to be understood in a moderate Sense: By such Expressions the Irregularity of the Lust, and not the Natural Desire is condemn'd; the Piety and Innocence of our Lives, and not the utter Change of our Estate, is recommended. Seeing the Law of Reason intends the Happiness and Security of Mankind in this Life; and the Christian Religion pursues the same Ends, both in this and a future Life; they are so far from being opposite one to another, that Religion may properly be stiled the best and the noblest Part, the Perfection and the Crown of the Law of Nature.
I will therefore first demand, whether it be not lawful for the strictest Christian to provide for the Necessities of this Life? This Request is modest enough: For if they deny it, they will reduce Mankind into a Condition which is literally worse than that of the Beasts that perish; seeing to them it is natural to seek out for all the ways of their own Preservation. I will go on to ask them, whether it be a Breach of the Law of Christianity, to labour for the Advantages of Living, which are enjoy'd by others? If this be refus'd me, we shall not deprive it of that Honour which now justly belongs to it, that there is little Civility at present amongst Men without the Pale of the Christian Church.
But, in few Words, let them tell me, whether it be indispensably necessary for us to be always thinking
