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A49314 A discourse concerning the nature of man both in his natural and political capacity, both as he is a rational creature and member of a civil society : with an examination of Mr. Hobbs's opinions relating hereunto / by Ja. Lowde ... Lowde, James. 1694 (1694) Wing L3299; ESTC R36487 110,040 272

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Enemies could invent yet that they did not feel so much pain as mere sensual Men might imagine if we consider the intenseness of their Thoughts then set on the Ioys above and also the more plentiful effusions of the Divine Grace strengthening and assisting them so that they seemed rather pleasantly to enjoy than painfully to undergo the flames CHAP. VI. Religion the best Foundation of Civil Government With an Examination of some of Machiavel's Opinions relating hereunto IF we consider the Nature of Religion in general how that it is that Order and Constitution of things in the World whereby all rational Agents either do or at least are bound to act in observation of those mutual Respects they bear to God themselves and others how that it is that great instrument of Providence in the World for the management of the most considerable Affairs thereof And what some Philosophers have asserted of the Soul of the Universe may be very well applyed to Religion in respect of the rational World that it ties each part to it self and to one another and disposes of every thing for the Good and Advantage of the whole and of every part This consider'd it is impossible but that Religion should have a very good and benign influence upon all publick Societies these being the most considerable Bodies of the Universe And this the very Enemies of Religion acknowledge in their most malicious scandals and reproaches that are cast upon it viz. when they tell us That Religion is nothing but a meer politick Device and Contrivance of Princes by which they might better govern their Subjects and awe them into obedience but this as most Errours are is founded in a certain Truth and though it be a false scandal cast upon Religion yet it supposes this undeniable Verity That Religion is not only consistent with but also highly promotive of the Ends of Government Now the consistency of Religion with Government in general will appear from these following Considerations 1. Religion in the true and sincere Exercise of it is the only Means appointed by God for the attaining of eternal Happiness now one great end of God's instituting a Government in the World was to put Men into a better capacity of performing their Duty towards God themselves and others These things being first granted which I think also are sufficiently plain and evident in themselves it is impossible that Religion should be inconsistent with or destructive of Government seeing these two are made joint means in order to one common end of humane Happiness Thus God sent us into the World that by Holiness we should arrive at Happiness and he has appointed a Government over us that under it we should lead quiet and peaceable Lives in all Godliness and Honesty therefore these two Religion and Government are certainly consistent with each other otherwise it would charge God with Folly and Imprudence by designing to bring about an end by incosistent means 2. Though Government in general be subordinate to Religion in reference to the ultimate End eternal Happiness yet the Church and the Affairs of Religion in reference to its private Power and Authority is subordinate in a great measure to the State Thus we say that the Church is in the State and not the State in the Church But now this is not an essential but only an accidental Subordination that is such an one as depends upon Divine positive Institution for if God had so pleased he might have made the State inferiour to the Church in all things as he hath made the Church subject to the State in most Now if we may venture to give a Reason of the Divine Institution it may seem to be this That God seeing how much it was for the Interest of the State to provide for and secure the Affairs of Religion hath therefore subjected the Church in most things always excepting those spiritual Priviledges and Peculiarities belonging to the Church which I always suppose sacred and inviolable to the Power of the civil Government for it is not probable that God would thus have committed his Church to which he always bore such a tender regard to the care and charge of the State if it were as our Adversaries suppose so much for the Interest of the State to violate the Laws of the Church and of Religion But now particularly Religion lays the best foundation of Government these four ways 1. By asserting the Original of Civil Power to be truly Divine 2. By shewing the Religious Obligation of an Oath and founding Obedience neither in Fear nor Interest but in Conscience 3. By correcting and confuting all those false Opinions and Principles which are so destructive of all humane Societies and civil Obedience 4. By removing all those Lusts and Passions out of the Minds of Men which are the great Incendiaries of the World and Fomenters of War and Discord 1. Religion does the best secure Government by asserting the Original of civil Power to be truly Divine Here I shall not restrain my Assertion to Monarchy only but extend it also to all regular and well-settled Governments Though I think that Monarchy has a great advantage in its Plea for a more particular Divine Institution so far as Example and primitive Practice can give any right thereto nor do I here assert That all Monarchies in their original Constitution were absolute or however there was no necessity that they should be so Some indeed say That whatever Restrictions or Limitations have been since introduced into some Governments yet from the beginning it was not so these were the Encroachments of after Ages and the Peoples usurping upon the Prerogative or else the Grants and Concessions of good-natur'd Princes But this I think is rather barely asserted than positively proved yet will it not follow hence that the People are the original Proprietors of all civil Power What our Saviour said to Pilate Ioh. 19. 11. Thou could'st have no power over me except it were given thee from above the same we may say of the People that suppose but not granting that they had such a Power as some imagine yet they could not have it of themselves they must either mediately or immediately derive it from God so that they giving this Power to the King the Power will be still truly Divine though it be convey'd through the People as thro' a Conduit But then to what purpose should we suppose such a needless circuit in the proceedings of Divine Providence Why might not God give it more immediately himself seeing this is as easily conceivable attended with fewer Inconveniencies and more promotive of the Ends of Government than the other Thus Mr. Hobbs no less falsly than impiously tells us That God created Man in such an ill-condition'd State of Nature not that he design'd him to continue in it but that he might mend himself by his own Prudence by getting out of it as soon as he could And Grotius seems to be much what