An Essay on Thruths of Importance to the Hapiness of Mankind (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1768 Excerpt: ...at; it is only our seriouaendeavours that are wanting. The English have a saying, we could go farther would we but use our legs-, indolence swallows at random any tale that is told us. Our reason os itself is sufficiently weak, and we impair it by sloth and negligence, and a supine acquiescence in the prejudices of custom. We do not determine truth or falsehood by the nature of the thing, but by geography: what is customary we admit as true, like well bred members of the state, closing with that opinion which is most current. i Current. A discreet Swifler on this side the Alps must, on the warrant of Geography, firmly hold that a truth, which on the other fide of our mountains, is laughed at as a mere fable. Of this, instances without number might be given; but, agreeably to our design, we shall keep to the taking an oath. That Christ's saying swear not at all, is addressed to the Pharisees and Scribes of the tenth century, no less than to the Pharisees of old, is indisputable; or they must be able to give proofs of their having received anotherand a new gospel. It is certain that the Jews, with all their swearing, come very short of Christians oaths, the latter being now multiplied into so many different branches, that the bare names would make a middling dictionary. It cannot be denied, that if ever our Saviour forbad any thing, it is the cursing one's self j and he even mentions the reason, for ye are not able to make a hair of your head white vr Hack. As incontestable is it, that having borrowed our imprecatory oaths from the tenth century, and inherited from it the wretched use of them, and hy custom retained it, Christ's words also concern us. Must we not here with astonishment ask why we do not yield to truth?. why why "we suffer ourselves to be...