PHI LOS 0 P H Y . - Classic Works of Apologetics Online

Virtue. 49
Towards God; as piety, reverence, resignation,
gratitude, &c. . ... •
Towards fJther men (or relatIve dutIes ;) as Jwtlce,
charity, fidelity , loyalty, &c.
Towards ourselves; as charity, sobriety~
temperance,
preservation of li{e, care of health, &c.
More of these distinctions have been proposed,
which it is not worth while to set down.
I shall proceed to state a few observations, which
relute to the general regulation of human conduct;
unconnected indeed with eac;h other, but very worthy
of' attention: and which fall as properly under the
title of this Chapter aI- of any other.
I. Ivlankind act more from habit than reflection.
It. is on few, only, and great occasio~ that men
deliberate at all; on fewer still, that they institute
any thing like a regular inquiry into the moral recti.
tude or depravity of what they are about to do; or
wait for the result of it. We are for the most part
deternlined at once; and by an impulse, which is the
effect and energy of pre established habits. And this
constitution seems ,veIl adapted to the exigences of"
human life, and to the imbecility of our moral pr!nciple.
In the current occasions and rapid opportuni.
ties of life, there is qfttimes little leisure for reflection;
and were tllere nlore, a man, who has to rea30n
about his duty, when the temptation to transgress j;;
11pon hinl, is alOlost sure to reaSOll hitnself irLto an
error.
If we are in so great a degree passive under OUi'
habits, where, it is asked, is tl1e e}:ercise of ,pir[u~,
the guilt of vice, or any use of moral and religious
knowledge? I answer, in the firming and (ollt;oactin;
ot- these habits. .----- ~-- . .-.-.-