SERMON II., III.
UPON HUMAN NATURE.
ROMANS ii. 14.



For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the
things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law
unto themselves.

As speculative truth admits of different kinds of proof, so likewise
moral obligations may be shown by different methods. If the real
nature of any creature leads him and is adapted to such and such
purposes only, or more than to any other, this is a reason to
believe the Author of that nature intended it for those purposes.
Thus there is no doubt the eye was intended for us to see with. And
the more complex any constitution is, and the greater variety of
parts there are which thus tend to some one end, the stronger is the
proof that such end was designed. However, when the inward frame of
man is considered as any guide in morals, the utmost caution must be
used that none make peculiarities in their own temper, or anything
which is the effect of particular customs, though observable in
several, the standard of what is common to the species; and above
all, that the highest principle be not forgot or excluded, that to
which belongs the adjustment and correction of all other inward
movements and affections; which principle will of course have some
influence, but which being in nature supreme, as shall now be shown,
ought to preside over and govern all the rest. The difficulty of