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Show [54] [55] rupting religion, as thefe have perverted phia lofophy, contend, that Chrifiian‘s are redeemed. into Captivity; and the blood of the Savrour of mankind has been fhed to make them the flaves of a few proud and infolent finners. into an infinite diverfity of forms, accord ing to the temper and circumf'rances ofevery commun Thefe {hocking extremes, provoking to ex- tremes of another kind, fpeculations are let loofe as defiruétive to all authority, as the former are to all freedom. In this manner the flirrers up of this contention, not fatisfied with dil‘traéting our dependencies and filling ity. The extreme of liberty (which is its abfiraét perfection, but its real fault) obtains no where, nor ought to obtain any where. Becaufe extremes, as we all know, in everv pornt which relates either to our duti es or faitisfaé'tions in life, are defirnétive both to virtue and enioyment. Liberty too muft be limited in order to be pofieflecl. The degree of reftraint it is impofiible in any cafe to ibttle them with blood and flaughter, are cor- precrlely. rupting our underfiandings: they are endeavouring to tear up, along with praétical liber- aim of every wife publick counfel, to find ty, all the foundations of human fociety, all equity and juflice, religion and order. Civil freedom, gentlemen, is not, as many have endeavoured to perfuade you, a thing that lies hid in the depths of abftrufe' fcience. It is a blefling and a benefit, not an abf'traé‘t fpeculation; and all the jufi: reafoning that But it ought to be the confiant out by cautious experiments, and rational , cool end eav ours, with how little, not how muc h of this reftraint, the community can fubfi ft. For libe rty is a good to be improved, and not an evil to be leifened. It is not only a private blefiing of the firl'r order, but the vita l fpring and energy of the Rate itfelf, which hasj ufl: {0 much life and vigour as there is libe rty in it. But whether liberty be advantageous or not, can be upon it, is of f0 coarfe a texture, as (for: I. know it is a fafhion to decry the very perfeétly to fuit the ordinary capacities of thofe who are to enjoy, and of thofe who are principle) none will difpute that peace is a blefl ing; and peace mnf't in the courfe of thofe propofitions in Geometry and Metaphy- man atfairs be frequently bought bv forn hue indulgence and toleration at leaft to liberty. fics, which admit no medium, but muft be true or falfe in all their latitude, focial and tron) was made for man, not man for the Saba: civil freedom, like all other things in comw mon life, are varioufly mixed and modified, origin or authority, in its exercife at leal' c, enjoyed in very different degrees, and fhaped ought to conform to the exigencies of the time to defend it. Far from any refemblance to mm For as the Sabbath, {though of divine inf'titubath, government, which can claim no higher E 3 and |