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therefore in which we might do

well to imitate them.

But when

we make the ferocity of favage Brutes the model for our imitation, when we pay them the compliment to copy their manners in that which is moft deteftable, and which we naturally dread and avoid, we carry the matter too far; we betray the weakness of our own understanding; we degrade ourselves from the rank we hold as Men; and with all our pretended boaft of Honour, the obfervation of David King of Ifrael is as true as it is plain, (Pfa. xlix. 20.) MAN that is in

appointed times; and the TURTLE, and the CRANE, and the SWALLOW obferve the time of their coming: but my People know not the judgment of the LORD.

7

bonour,

bonour, and underftandeth not, is like the BEASTS that perish.

But let us have done with trifling objections, and brutish Examples, whether of real Brutes, or of Brutes in the shape of Men. My appeal is not to Brutality, nor to brutal Inhumanity. And my Arguments are not deduced from the natural fiercenefs or irrationality of the one, nor from the unnatural barbarity, blind rage, or unfeeling avarice of the other. It has been my endeavour to plead the caufe of the Dumb Creatures on the Principles of Natural Religion, Juftice, Honour, and Humanity. And I fhall be happy if any thing which I have hitherto fuggefted, may

have the bleffed effect of mollifying a fingle human heart; though at the fame time I am aware of the obloquy to which every man must expofe himself, who prefumes to encounter Prejudice and long received Customs. To make a comparison between a Man and a Brute, is abominable: To talk of a man's Duty to his Horfe or his Ox, is abfurd; To suppose it a Sin to chace a Stag, to hunt a Fox, or courfe a Hare, is unpolite; To efteem it barbarous to throw at a Cock, to bait a Bull, to roast a Lobster, or to crimp a Reflections of

Fish, is ridiculous.

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this kind must be expected; though I have avoided as much as I could the pointing out any particular inftances of cruelty;

for

for I had rather the Propofition fhould be general, that Cruelty in any shape is foolish and deteftable. any of the abovementioned particulars, I have no objection to the inference. And I will not deny that I had thefe, and many more than these in view. I cannot, I dare not give up a true and useful Propofition, because the conclufion may carry in it the appearance of cenfure or difapprobation of the falfe notions or wrong practices of other men. There are fome Truths which ought not to be concealed. And there are fome cafes, and indeed many cafes, in which, through the fear of offending, and a defire to please and recommend ourselves to favour, we

But if it is applicable to

carry

carry our complaifance much too far. I would not willingly give any one offence, but, in the prefent cafe, to be filent would be cruelty, and an offence to the brutes for whofe fake I write, Let it be deemed then in the eftimation of the Vulgar*, abominable, abfurd, unpolite, or ridiculous, I am not afhamed as a Christian to testify my utter abhorrence of every inftance of Cruelty and as a Minifter of Chrift, I fcruple not to affirm, upon the genuine Principles of our Holy Religion, that an Unmerciful Chriftian must be either extremely ignorant of his duty,

* By the Vulgar I mean the Obftinate, the Hard-hearted, and the Ignorant, of every clafs and denomination.

or

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