subjects of religious teaching as the untutored savage; arising indeed not from literature or philosophy, in themselves, but from that presumption with which they are so apt to swell the mind, and indispose it to that doctrine whose first and last instruction is humility. Thus every just view of man, whether he is considered in his individual or social capacity, leads us to the famous apothegm of the Grecian sage Cleobulus, and which the wise and moderate of every succeeding generation have chosen for their motto— Mfyov apflov, a medium is best. For though mediocrity is not the standard of true virtue, as Aristotle supposed, it is best, however, in respect to those circumstances which relate merely to our present state. Hence the care of government should be to place and secure a people in that situation, in which the fewest individuals possible are in extreme wealth or indigence; and in which the arts and sciences are no further encouraged, than as they are calculated to increase or preserve useful knowledge, to furnish employment, and minister to the CHRISTIAN POLITICS. PART II. ON THE IMPORTANCE OF RELIGION, BOTH ., TO SOCIETY AND THE INDIVIDUAL; WITH REFLECTIONS ON RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENTS AND TOLERATION. SECTION I. On the Importance of Religion, both to SOME late pretended philosophers, in order to set aside the importance of religion, have endeavoured to establish an opinion, that a wise legislation is all that is necessary to make the world virtuous and happy; and, consequently, that all the evils which mankind have hitherto laboured un subjects of religious teaching as the untutored savage; arising indeed not from literature or philosophy, in themselves, but from that presumption with which they are so apt to swell the mind, and indispose it to that doctrine whose first and last instruction is humility. Thus every just view of man, whether he is considered in his individual or social capacity, leads us to the famous apothegm of the Grecian sage Cleobulus, and which • the wise and moderate of every succeeding generation have chosen for their motto— Mejgov ocpsjov, a medium is best. For though mediocrity is not the standard of true virtue, as Aristotle supposed, it is best, however, in respect to those circumstances which relate merely to our present state. Hence the care of government should be to place and secure a people in that situation, in which the fewest individuals possible are in extreme wealth or indigence; and in which the arts and sciences are no further encouraged, than as they are calculated to increase or preserve useful knowledge, to furnish employment, and minister to the CHRISTIAN POLITICS. PART II. ON THE IMPORTANCE OF RELIGION, BOTH , TO SOCIETY AND THE INDIVIDUAL; WITH REFLECTIONS ON RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENTS AND TOLERATION. SECTION I. On the Importance of Religion, both to SOME late pretended philosophers, in order to set aside the importance of religion, have endeavoured to establish an opinion, that a wise legislation is all that is necessary to make the world virtuous and happy; and, consequently, that all the evils which mankind have hitherto laboured un subjects of religious teaching as the untutored savage; arising indeed not from literature or philosophy, in themselves, but from that presumption with which they are so apt to swell the mind, and indispose it to that doctrine whose first and last instruction is humility. Thus every just view of man, whether he is considered in his individual or social capacity, leads us to the famous apothegm of the Grecian sage Cleobulus, and which the wise and moderate of every succeeding generation have chosen for their motto— Ms}gov apsjov, a medium is best. For though mediocrity is not the standard of true virtue, as Aristotle supposed, it is best, however, in respect to those circumstances which relate merely to our present state. Hence the care of government should be to place and secure a people in that situation, in which the fewest individuals possible are in extreme wealth or indigence; and in which the arts and sciences are no further encouraged, than as they are calculated to increase or preserve useful knowledge, to furnish employment, and minister to the |