[72] ARGUMENT OF EPISTLE III. Of the Nature and State of Man with respect to Society. I. THE whole Univerfe one fyftem of Society, 7, &c. Nothing made wholly for itfelf, nor yet wholly for another, 27. The happiness of Animals mutual, & 49. II. Reafon or Inftinct operate alike to the good of each Individual, 79. Reafon or Inftinct operate alfo to Society, in all animals, 109. III. How far Society carried by Instinct, 115. How much farther by Reafon, 128. IV. Of that which is called the State of Nature, 144. Reafon inftructed by Instinct in the invention of Arts, 166, and in the Forms of Society, 176. V. Origin of Political Societies, & 196. Origin of Monarchy, 207. Patriarchal government, & 212. VI. Origin of true Religion and Government, from the fame principle, of Love, ✯ 231, &c. Origin of Superstition and Tyranny, from the fame principle, of Fear, 237, &c. The Influence of Self-love operating to the focial and public Good, 266. Restoration of true Religion and Government on their first principle, 285. Mixt Government, 288. Various Forms of each, and the true end of all, $ 300, &c. ✯ N.Blakey inv. et del. Ravenet sculp. See some fit Passion every Age supply, Hope travels through, nor quits. us when we die. Essay on Man, Ep.II. EPISTLE H III. ERE then we reft: "The Universal Cause "Acts to one end, but acts by various laws.” VARIATION S. VER. I. in feveral Edit. in 4to. Learn, Dulness, learn! "The Universal Caufe &c. COMMENTARY. WE are now come to the third epiftle of the Effay on Man. It having been fhewn, in explaining the origin, ufe, and end of the Paffions, in the fecond epiftle, that Man hath focial as well as felfish paffions, that doctrine naturally introduceth the third, which treats of Man as a sOCIAL animal; and connects it with the fecond, which confidered him as an INDIVIDUAL. And as the conclufion from the fubject of the firft epiftle made the introduction to the fecond, fo here again, the conclufion of the second 1 (Ev'n mean Self-love becomes, by force divine, The fcale to measure others wants by thine.) maketh the introduction to the third. VER. I. Here then we reft: "The Univerfal Caufe The reafon of variety in those laws, which tend to one and the fame end, the good of the Whole generally, is, because the good of the individual is likewife to be provided for; both which together make up the good of the Whole univerfally. And this is the caufe, as the poet fays elfewhere, that Each individual feeks a fevral goal. But to prevent our refting there, God hath made each need the affiftance of another; and fo On mutual wants built mutual happiness. In all the madness of fuperfluous health, The trim of pride, the impudence of wealth, 5 Look round our World; behold the chain of Love Combining all below and all above. COMMENTARY. It was neceffary to explain these two first lines, the better to fee the pertinency and force of what followeth (from 2 to 7) where the poet warns fuch to take notice of this truth, whofe circumftances placing them in an imaginary station of Independence, and a real one of Infenfibility to mutual Wants (from whence general Happiness refults) make them but too apt to overlook the true fyftem of things; viz. Men in full health and opulence. This caution was neceffary with regard to Society; but ftill more neceffary with regard to Religion: Therefore he efpecially recommends the memory of it both to Clergy and Laity, when they preach or pray; because the preacher, who doth not confider the firft Caufe under this view, as a Being confulting the good of the whole, muft needs give a very unworthy idea of him; and the fupplicant, who prayeth as one not related to a whole, or as difregarding the happiness of it, will not only pray in vain, but offend his Maker by an impious attempt to counter-work his difpenfation. VER. 7. Look round our World; &c.] Next he introduceth his fyftem of human Sociability (7, 8) by fhewing it to be the NOTES. fluence of health, which not VER. 3. fuperfluous health,] Immoderate labour and study are the great impairers of health: Thofe, whofe ftation fets them above both, muft needs have an af-wealth,] Becaufe wealth pre C |