PREFACE

TO THE EDINBURGH EDITION.

sun.

Tuis Essay would not have been presented to the But, although my purpose is practical, a theory of public, had I not believed that it contains views of the Mind forms an essential element in the execution of constitution, condition, and prospects of Man, which the plan. Without it, no comparison can be instituted deserve attention ; but these, I trust, are not ushered | between the natural constitution of man and external forth with any thing approaching to a presumptuous objects. Phrenology appears to me to be the clearest, spirit. I lay no claim to originality of conception. most complete, and best supported system of Human My first notion of the natural laws were derived from Nature, which has hitherto been taught; and I have an unpublished manuscript of Dr Spurzheim, with the assumed it as the basis of this Essay. But the practiperusal of which I was honoured some years ago; and cal value of the views now to be unfolded does not all my inquiries and meditations since have impressed depend on Phrenology. This theory of Mind itself is ine more and more with a conviction of their impor- valuable, only in so far as it is a just crposition of what tance. The materials employed lie open to all. Taken previously existed in human nature. We are physical, separately, I would hardly say that a new truth has organic, and moral beings, acting under the sanction been presented in the following work. The parts have of general laws, let the merits of Phrenology be what all been admitted and employed again and again, by they may. Individuals will, under the impulse of pas writers on morals, from Socrates down to the present sion, or by the direction of intellect, hope, fear, wonday. In this respect, there is nothing new under the der, perceive, and act, whether the degree in which

The only novelty in this Essay respects the rela- | they habitually do so, be ascertainable on phrenological tions which acknowledged truths hold to each other. | principles or not. In so far, therefore, as this Essay Physical laws of nature, affecting our physical condi- treats of the known qualities of Man, it may be instruction, as well as regulating the whole material system tive even to those who contemn Phrenology as unof the universe, are universally acknowledged, and founded ; while it can prove useful to no one, if it constitute the elements of natural philosophy and che- shall depart from the true elements of mental philosomical science. Physiologists, medical practitioners, phy, by whatever system these may be expounded. and all who take medical aid, admit the existence of I have endeavoured to avoid all religious controversy. organic laws ; and the science of government, legisla- The object of Moral Philosophy,' says Mr Stewart, tion, education, indeed our whole train of conduct is to ascertain the general rules of a wise and virtuous through life, proceed upon the admission of laws in conduct in life, in so far as these rules may be discomorals. Accordingly, the laws of nature have formed | vered by the unassisted light of nature; that is by an an interesting subject of inquiry to philosophers of all examination of the principles of the human constituages; but, so far as I am aware, no author has hitherto tion, and of the circumstances in which man is placed.'* attempted to point out, in a combined and systematic By following this method of inquiry, Dr HUTCHESON, form, the relations between these laws and the constitu- Dr Adam Smith, Dr Reid, Mr Stewart, and Dr tion of Man ; which must, nevertheless, be done, be- Thomas Brown, have, in succession, produced highly fore our knowledge of them can be beneficially applied. interesting and instructive works on Moral Science; The great object of the following Essay is to exhibit and the present Essay is a humble attempt to pursue these relations, with a view to the improvement of edu- the same plan, with the aid of the new lights afforded cation, and the regulation of individual conduct.

by phrenology.

ON

THE CONSTITUTION OF MAN, *

AND ITS RELATIONS TO EXTERNAL OBJECTS.

ON NATURAL LAWS.

CHAPTER I.

combined with the portion denoted by 2120 of that instrument, it rises into vapour or steam. Here water

and heat are the substances,—the freezing and rising A STATEMENT of the evidence of a great intelligent in vapour are the appearances or phenomena presented First Cause is given in the ·Phrenological Journal,' | by them; and when we say that these take place acand in the System of Phrenology. I hold this exist-cording to a Law of Nature, we mean only that these ence as capable of demonstration. By Nature, I mean modes of action appear, to our intellects, to be estabthe workınanship of this great Being, such as it is re- lished in the very constitution of the water and heat, vealed to our minds by our senses and faculties. and in their natural relationship to each other; and that

In natural science, three subjects of inquiry may be the processes of freezing and rising in vapour are their distinguished. 1st. What exists? 2dly. What is the constant appearances, when combined in these proporpurpose or design of what exists; and, 3dly. Why was tions, other conditions being the same. what exists designed for such uses as it evidently The ideas chiefly to be kept in view are, 1st. That subserves ? For example, It is a matter of fact that all substances and beings have received a definite natuarctic regions and torrid zones exist,—that a certain ral constitution ; 2dly. That every mode of action, kind of moss is most abundant in Lapland in mid-win- which is said to take place according to a natural law, ter,--that the rein-deer feeds on it, and enjoys high is inherent in the constitution of the substance, or health and vigor in situations where most other animals being, that acts; and, 3dly. That the mode of action would die ; farther, it is a matter of fact that camels exist described is universal and invariable, wherever and in Africa ; that they have broad hoofs, and stomachs whenever the substances, or beings, are found in the fitted to retain water for a length of time, and that they same condition. For example, water, at the level of flourish amid arid tracts of sand, where the rein-deer the sea, freezes and boils, at the same temperature, in would not live for a day. All this falls under the in- China and in France, in Peru and in England; and quiry, What exists? But in contemplating the fore- there is no exception to the regularity with which it going facts, it is impossible not to infer that one object exhibits these appearances, when all its conditions are of the Lapland moss is to feed the rein-deer, and one the same: For cæteris paribus is a condition which perpurpose of the deer is to assist man : and that, in like vades all departments of science, phrenology included. manner, broad feet have been given to the camel to If water be carried to the top of a mountain 20,000 enable it to walk on sand, and a retentive stomach to

feet high, it boils at a lower temperature than 212°, fit it for arid places in which water is not found except but this again depends on its relationship to the air

, at wide intervals. These are inquiries into the use or and takes place also according to fixed and invariable purpose of what exists. In like manner, we may in- principles. The air exerts a great pressure on the waquire, What purpose do sandy deserts and desolate At the level of the sea the pressure is nearly the heaths subserve in the economy of nature ? In short, same in all quarters of the globe, and in that situation an inquiry into the use or purpose of any object that the freezing points and boiling points correspond all exists, is merely an examination of its relations to other over the world ; but on the top of a high mountain the ohjects and beings, and of the modes in which it affects pressure is much less, and the vapour not being held them; and this is quite a legitimate exercise of the down by so great a power of resistance, rises at a lower human intellect. But, 3dly, we may ask, why were degree of heat than 212o. But this change of appearthe physical elements of nature created such as they ances does not indicate a change in the constitution of are? Why were summer, autumn, spring, and winter the water and the heat, but only a variation of the cirintroduced ? Why were animals formed of organized cumstances in which they are placed; and hence it is matter? These are inquiries why what exists was not correct to say, that water boiling on the tops of made such as it is, or into the will of the Deity in crea- high mountains, at a lower temperature than 2120, is tion. Now, man's perceptive faculties are adequate to an exception to the general law of nature : there never the first inquiry, and his reflective faculties to the are exceptions to the laws of nature ; for the Creator second ; but it may well be doubted whether he has is too wise and too powerful to make imperfect or inpowers suited to the third. My investigations are con- consistent arrangements. The error is in the human fined to the first and second, and I do not discuss the mind inferring the law to be, that water boils at 212" third.

in all altitudes ; when the real law is only that it boils A law, in the common acceptation, denotes a rule of at that temperature, at the level of the sea, in all counaction ; its existence indicates an established and con- tries; and that it boils at a lower temperature, the stant mode, or process, according to which phenomena higher it is carried, because there the pressure of the take place; and this is the sense in which I shall use atmosphere is diminished. it, when treating of physical substances and beings. Intelligent beings exist, and are capable of modifyFor example, water and heat are substances; and wa- ing their actions. By means of their faculties, the ter presents different appearances, and manifests cer- laws impressed by the Creator on physical substances tain qualities, according to the altitude of its situation, become known to them ; and, when perceived, constiand the degree heat with which it is combined. tute laws to them, by which to regulate their conduct. When at the level of the sea, and combined with that For example, it is a physical law, that boiling water portion of heat indicated by 320 of Fahrenheit's destroys the muscular and nervous systems of man. thermometer, it freezes or becomes solid ; when this is the result purely of the constitution of the

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CAUSES.

body, and the relation between it and heat; and man to elucidate all these laws : countless years may cannot alter or suspend that law. But whenever the elapse before they shall be discovered ; but we may human intellect perceives the relation, and the conse- investigate some of the most familiar and striking of quences of violating it, the mind is prompted to avoid them. Those that most readily present themselves infringement, in order to shun the torture attached by bear reference to the great classes into which the obthe Creator to the decomposition of the human body jects around us may be divided, namely, Physical, Orby heat.

ganic, and Intelligent. I shall therefore confine my. Similar views have long been taught by philosophers self to the physical laws, the organic laws, and the and divines. Bishop BUTLER, in particular, says :- laws which characterise intelligent beings. • An Author of Nature being supposed, it is not so 1st. The Physical Laws embrace all the phenomena much a deduction of reason as a matter of experience, of mere matter; a heavy body, for instance, when unthat we are thus under his government, in the same supported, falls to the ground with a certain accelerate sense as we are under the government of civil magising force, in proportion to the distance which it falls,

Because the annexing pleasure to some ac- and its own density; and this motion is said to take tions, and pain to others, in our power to do or forbear, place according to the law of gravitation. An acid and giving notice of this appointment beforehand to applied to a vegetable blue colour, converts it into red, those whom it concerns, is the proper formal notion of and this is said to take place according to a chemical government. Whether the pleasure or pain which law. thus follows upon our behaviour, be owing to the 2dly. Organized substances and beings stand higher Author of Nature's acting upon us every moment in the scale of creation, and have properties peculiar which we feel it, or to his having at once contrived to themselves. They act, and are acted upon, in conand executed his own part in the plan of the world, formity with their constitution, and are therefore said nakes no alteration as to the matter before us.

For,

to be subject to a peculiar set of laws, termed the Orif civil magistrates could make the sanctions of their ganic. I'he distinguishing characteristic of this class laws take place, without interposing at all, after they of objects, is, that the individuals of them derive their had passed them, without a trial, and the formalities existence from other organized beings, are nourished of an execution; if they were able to make their laws by food, and go through a regular process of growth execute themselves, or every offender to execute them and decay. Vegetables and Animals are the two great upon himself, we should be just in the same sense un- subdivisions of it. The organic laws are different from der their government then as we are now; but in a the merely physical. A stone, for example, does not much higher degree and more perfect manner. Vain spring from a parent stone ; it does not take food from is the ridicule with which one sees some persons will its parent, the earth, or air ; it does not increase in divert themselves, upon finding LESSER PAINS CONSID- vigor for a time, and then decay and suffer dissolution, ERED AS INSTANCES OF DIVINE PUNISHMENT. There all which processes characterize vegetables and ani18 NO POSSIBILITY OF ANSWERING OR EVADING the ge- mals. The organic laws are superior to the merely neral thing here intended, WITHOUT DENYING ALL FINAL physical. For example, a living man, or animal, may

For, final causes being admitted, the plea- be placed in an oven, along with the carcass of a dead sures and pains now mentioned must be admitted too, animal, and remain exposed to a heat, which will comas instances of them. And if they are, if God annexes pletely bake the dead flesh, and yet come out alive, delight to some actions, with an apparent design to in- and not seriously injured. The dead flesh is mere duce us to act so and so, then he not only dispenses physical matter, and its decomposition by the heat inhappiness and misery, but also rewards and punishes stantly commences; but the living animal is able, by actions. If, for example, the pain which we feel upon its organic qualities, to counteract and resist to a cerdoing what tends to the destruction of our bodies, sup- tain extent, that influence. The expression Organic pose upon too near approaches to fire, or upon wound-Laws, therefore, indicates that every phenomenon coning ourselves, be appointed by the Author of Nature to nected with the production, health, growth, decay, and prevent our doing what thus tends to our destruction; death of vegetables and animals, takes place with unthis is ALTOGETHER AS MUCH AN INSTANCE Op his deviating regularity, whenever circumstances are the PUNISHING OUR actions, and consequently of our being same.

Animals are the chief objects of my present under his government, as declaring, by a voice from observations. Heaven, that, if we acted so, he would inflict such pain 3dly. Intelligent beings stand still higher in the scale upon us, and inflict it whether it be greater or less.' * than merely organized matter, and embrace all animals

If, then, the reader keep in view that God is the that have distinct consciousness, from the lowest of creator ; that Nature, in the general sense, means the the inferior creatures up to man. The great divisions world which he has made ; and, in a more limited of this class are into Intelligent and Animal—and into sense, the particular constitution which he has bestow- Intelligent and Moral creatures. The dog, horse, and ed on any special object, of which we may be treating, elephant, for instance, belong to the first class, because and that a Law of Nature means the established mode they possess some degree of intelligence, and certain in which that constitution acts, and the obligation animal propensities, but no moral feelings ; man bethereby imposed on intelligent beings to attend to it, he longs to the second, because he possesses all the three. will be in no danger of misunderstanding my meaning. These various faculties have received a definite consti

Every natural object has received a definite consti- tution from the Creator, and stand in determinate relatution, in virtue of which it acts in a particular way. tionship to external objects : for example, a healthy There must, therefore, be as many natural laws, as palate cannot seel wormwood sweet, nor sugar bitter : there are distinct modes of action of substances and a healthy eye cannot see a rod partly plunged in water beings, viewed by themselves. But substances and straight, because the water so modifies the rays of beings stand in certain relations to each other, and mo- light, as to give to the stick the appearance of being dify each other's action in an established and definite crooked ; a healthy Benevolence cannot feel gratified manner, according to that relationship; altitude, for with murder, nor a healthy Conscientiousness with instance, modifies the effect of heat upon water. fraud. As, therefore, the inental faculties have reThere must, therefore, be also as many laws of nature, ceived a precise constitution, have been placed in fixed as there are relations between different substances and and definite relations to external objects, and act regubeings.

larly, we speak of their acting according to rules or It is impossible, in the present state of knowledge, laws, and call these the Moral and Intellectual Laws. * Butler's Works, Vol. 1, Pia Appsimilar, observations by perly used, signifies the rules of action impressed on

In short, the expression • laws of nature,' when profound in the Appendix,

objects and beings by their natural constitution. Thus, ganic laws, and who continued to obey these laws when we say, that by the physical law, a ship sinks throughout, being, in consequence of this obedience, when a plank starts from her side, we mean, that, by visited with pain and disease; and there are no the constitution of the ship, and the water, and the re- instances of men who were born with constitutions at lation subsisting between them, the ship sinks when variance with the organic laws, and who lived in hathe plank starts.

bitual disobedience to them, enjoying that sound health Several important principles strike us very early in and vigour of body, that are the rewards of obedience. attending to the natural laws, viz. Ist. Their indepen- 4. The natural laws are in harmony with the whole dence of each other; 2dly. Obedience to each of them constitution of man, the moral and intellectual powers is attended with its own reward, and disobedience with being supreme. For example, if ships had sunk when its own punishment ; 3dly. They are universal, un- they were in accordance with the physical law, this bending, and invariable in their operation ; 4thly. They would have outraged the perceptions of Causality, and are in harmony with the constitution of man.

offended Benevolence and Justice ; but as they float, 1. The independence of the natural laws may be the physical is, in this instance, in harmony with the illustrated thus ;-A ship floats because a part of it moral and intellectual law. If men who rioted in being immerscd, displaces a weight of water equal to drunkenness and debauchery, had thereby established its whole weight, leaving the remaining part above the health and increased their happiness, this, again, would fluid. A ship, therefore, will float on the surface of have been in discord with our intellectual and moral the water as long as these physical conditions are ob- perceptions ; but the opposite result is in harmony served ; no matter although the men in it should in- with them. fringe other natural laws; as, for example, although It will be subsequently shown, that our moral sentithey should rob, murder, blaspheme, and commit every ments desire universal happiness. If the physical and species of debauchery; and it will sink whenever the organic laws are constituted in harmony with them, it physical conditions are subverted, however strictly the ought to follow that the natural laws, when obeyed, crew and passengers may obey the other laws here ad conduce to the happiness of moral and intelligent beverted to. In like manner, a man who swallows poi- ings, who are called on to observe them; and that the son, which destroys the stomach or intestines, will die, evil consequences or punishments resulting from disojust because an organic law has been infringed, and bedience, are calculated to enforce stricter attention and because it is independent of others, although the man obedience to the laws, that these beings may escape from should have taken the drug by mistake, or been the the miseries of infringement, and return to the advantages most pious and charitable individual on earth. Or, of observance. For example, according to this view, thirdly, a man may cheat, lie, steal, tyrannise, and in when a ship sinks, in consequence of a plank starting, short break a great variety of the moral laws, and the punishment ought to impress upon ihe spectators nevertheless be fat and rubicund, if he sedulously ob- the absolute necessity of having every plank secure serve the organic laws of temperance and exercise, and strong before going to sea again, a condition indiswhich determine the condition of the body; while, on pensable to their safety. When sickness and pain folthe other hand, an individual who neglects these, may low a debauch, they serve to urge a more scrupulous pine in disease, and be racked with torturing pains, al- obedience to the organic laws, that the individual may ihough at the very moment, he may be devoting his escape death, which is the inevitable consequence of mind to the highest duties of humanity.

too great and continued disobedience to these laws, 2. Obedience to each law is attended with its own and enjoy health, which is the reward of opposite conreward, and disobedience with its own punishment. duct. When discontent, irritation, hatred, and other Thus the mariners who preserve their ship in accord- mental annoyances, arise out of infringement of the ance with the physical laws, reap the reward of sailing moral law, this punishment is calculated to induce the in safety; and those who permit its departure from offender to return to obedience, that he may enjoy the them, are punished by the ship sinking. Those who rewards attached to it. obey the moral law, enjoy the intense internal delights When the transgression of any natural law is excesthat spring from active moral faculties ; they render sive, and so great that return to obedience is impossithemselves, moreover, objects of affection and esteem ble, one purpose of death, which then ensucs, may be to moral and intelligent beings, who, in consequence, to deliver the individual from a continuation of the conser on them many other gratifications. Those who punishment which could then do him no good. Thus, disobey that law, are tormented with insatiable desires, when, from infringement of a physical law, a ship sinks which, from the nature of things, cannot be gratified ; at sea, and leaves men immersed in water, without the they are punished by the perpetual craving or whatever possibility of reaching land, their continued existence portion of inoral sentiment they possess, for higher on- in that state would be one of cruel and protracted sufjoyments, which are never attained ; and they are ob- sering; and it is advantageous to them to have their jects of dislike and malevolence to other beings in the mortal life extinguished at once by drowning, thereby same condition as themselves, who inflict on thein the withdrawing them from further agony. In like manevils dictated by their own provoked propensities. ner, if a man in the vigour of lisc, so far infringe any Those who obey the organic laws, reap the reward of organic law as to destroy the function of a vital organ, health and vigour of body, and buoyancy of mind ; the heart, for instance, or the lungs, or the brain, it is those who break them are punished by sickness, fee- better for him to have his life cut short, and his pain bleness, and languor.

put an end to, than to have it protracted under all the 3. The natural laws are universal, invariable, and tortures of an organic existence without lungs, without unbending. When the physical laws are subverted in a heart, or without a brain, if such a state were possiChina or Kamschatka, there is no instance of a ship ble, which, for this wise reason, it is not. floating there more than in England ; and when they I do not intend to predicate any thing concerning the are observed, there is no instance of a vessel sinking perfectibility of man by obedience to the laws of nature. in any one of these countries more than in another. The system of sublunary creation, so far as we pora There is no example of men, in any country, enjoying ceive it, does not appear to be one of optimism; yet the mild and generous internal joys, and the outward benevolent design, in its constitution, is undeniable. esteem and love that attend obedience to the moral Paley says, "Nothing remains but the first supposilaw, while they give themselves up to the dominion of tion, that God, when he created the human species, brutal propensities. There is no example, in any lati- wished them happiness, and made for them the provitude or longitude, or in any age, of men who entered sions which he has made, with that view and for that life with a constitution in perfect harmony with the or- purpose. The same argument may be proposed in different terms: Contrivance proves design; and the ing, is, because the natural laws are too much overpredominant tendency of the contrivance indicates the looked, and very rarely considered as having any reladisposition of the designer. The world abounds with tion to practical conduct. contrivances ; and ALL THE CONTRIVANCES Connected with this subject, it is proper to state, which we are acquainted with, are directed to beneficial that I do not maintain that ihe world is arranged on the purposes.' Paley's Mor. Phil. Edinb. 1816, p. 51. principle of Benevolence exclusively: my idea is, that My object is to discover as many of the contrivances it is constituted in harmony with the whole faculties of the Creator, for effecting beneficial purposes, as of man; the moral sentiments and intellect holding possible ; and to point out in what manner, by accom- the supremacy. What is meant by creation being conmodating our conduct to these contrivances, we may stituted in harmony with the whole faculties of man, lessen our misery and increase our happiness.

is this. Suppose that we should see two men holding I do not intend to teach that the natural laws, dis- a third in a chair, and a fourth drawing a tooth from cernible by unassisted reason, are sufficient for the his head :-While we contemplated this bare act, and salvation of man without revelation. Human interests knew nothing of the intention with which it was done, regard this world and the next. To enjoy this world, and of the consequences that would follow, we would I humbly maintain, that man must discover and obey set it down as purely cruel; and say, that, although it the natural laws; for example, to ensure health to off- might be in harmony with Destructiveness, it could not spring, the parents must be healthy, and the children be so with Benevolence. But, when we were told after birth must be treated in conformity to the organic that the individual in the chair was a patient, the opelaws; to fit them for usefulness in society, they must rator a dentist, the two men his assistants, and that be instructed in their own constitution,-in that of ex- the object of all the parties was to deliver the first from ternal objects and beings, and taught to act rationally violent torture, we would then perceive that Destrucin reference to these. Revelation does not commu- tiveness had been used as a means to accomplish a benicate complete or scientific information concerning nevolent purpose; or, in other words, that it had acted the best mode of pursuing even our legitimate tempo- under the supremacy of moral sentiment and intellect, ral interests, probably because faculties have been and we would approve of the transaction. If the given to man to discover arts, sciences, and the natu- world were created on the principle of Benevolence ral laws, and to adapt his conduct to them. The phy- exclusively, no doubt the toothach could not exist : sical, moral, and intellectual nature of man, is itself but, as pain does exist, Destructiveness has been given open to investigation by our natural faculties; and nu

to place men in harmony with it, when used for a bemerous practical duties resulting from our constitutionnevolent end. are discoverable, which are not treated of in detail in To apply this illustration to the works of providence ; the inspired volume; the mode of preserving health. I humbly suggest it as probable, that if we knew thofor example ; of pursuing with success a temporal call- roughly the design and whole consequences of such ing; of discovering the qualities of men with whom institutions of the Creator, as are attended with pain, we mean to associate our interests; and many others. death, and disease, for example, we should find that My object, I repeat, is to investigate the natural con- Destructiveness was used as a means, under the guisuitution of the human body and mind, their relations dance of Benevolence and Justice, to arrive at an end to external objects and beings in this world, and the in harmony with the moral sentiments and intellect; courses of action that, in consequence, appear to be in short, that no institution of the Creator has pure beneficial or hurtful.

evil, or destructiveness alone, for its object. In judgMan's spiritual interests belong to the sphere of re- ing of the divine institutions, the moral sentiments and velation : and I distinctly declare, that I do not teach, | intellect embrace the results of them to the race, while ihat obedience to the natural laws is sufficient for sal- the propensities regard only the individual; and as the vation in a future state. Revelation prescribes certain former are the higher powers, their dictates are of surequisites for salvation, which may be divided into two preme authority in such questions. Farther, when the classes ; first, faith or belief; and, secondly, the per-perations of these institutions are sufficiently underformance of certain practical duties, not as meritorious stood, they will be acknowledged to be beneficial for of salvation, but as the native result of that faith, and the individual also; although, when partially viewed, he necessary evidence of its sincerity. The natural this may not at first appear to be the case. raws form no guide as to faith ; but so far as I can per- The opposite of this doctrine, viz. that there are inceive their dictates and those of revelation coincide stitutions of the Creator which have suffering for their in all matters relating to practical duties in temporal exclusive object, is clearly untenable ; for this would affairs.

be ascribing malevolence to the Deity. As, however It may be asked, whether mere knowledge of the na- the existence of pain is undeniable, it is equally impostural laws is sufficient to insure observance of them? sible to believe that the world is arranged on the principle Certainly not. Mere knowledge of music does not en- of Benevolence exclusively; and, with great submisable one to play on an instrument, nor of anatomy sion, the view now presented reconciles the existence to perform skilfully a surgical operation. Practical of Pain with that of Benevolence in a natural way, and training, and the aid of every motive that can interest the harmony of it with the constitution of the hunan the feelings, are necessary to lead individuals to obey mind, renders its soundness probable. the natural laws. Religion, in particular, may furnish motives highly conducive to this obedience. But, it

CHAPTER II. must never be forgotten, that although mere knowledge is not all-sufficient, it is a primary and indispensable requisite to regular observance; and that it is as impossible, effectually and systematically to obey the natural Let us, then, consider the Constitution of Man, and laws without knowing them, as it is to infringe them the natural laws to which he is subjected, and endeawith impunity, although from ignorance of their exis. vour to discover how far the external world is arranged

Some persons are of opinion that Christianity with wisdom and benevolence, in regard to him. alone suffices, not only for man's salvation, which I do Bishop Butler, in the Preface to his Sermons, says, It is not dispute, but for his guidance in all practical vir- from considering the relations which the several appetues, without knowledge of, or obedience to, the laws tites and passions in the inward frame have to each of nature ; but from this notion I respectfully dissent. other, and, above all, the SUPREMACY of reflection or It appears to me, that one reason why vice and misery, conscience, that we get the idea of the system or conin this orld, do not diminish in proportion to preach- / stitution of human nature. And froin the idea itself,

OF THE CONSTITUTION OF MAN, AND ITS RELATIONS TO

EXTERNAL OBJECTS.