{ent of civil obedience, are derived, rightly explained, and well understood. Indeed, as far as I have observed, in political, beyond all other subjects, . where men are without some fundamental and scientific principles to resort to, they are liable to have their understandings played upon by cant phrases and unmeaning terms, of which every party in every country possesses a vocabulary We appear astonished when we see the multitude led away by sounds; but we should remember that, if sounds work miracles, it is always upon ignorance. The influence of names is in exact proportion to the want of knowledge. These are the observations with which I have judged it expedient to prepare the attention of my reader. Concerning the personal motives which engaged me in the following attempt, it is not necessary that I say much; the nature of my academical situation, a great deal of leisure since my, retirement from it, the recommendation of an honoured and excellent friend, the authority of the venerable prelate to whom these labours are inscribed, the not perceiving in what way I could employ my time or talents better, and my disapprobation in literary men, of that fastidious indolence which sits still because it disdains to do little, were the considerations that directed my thoughts to this design. Nor have I repented of the undertaking. Whatever be the fate or reception of this work, it owes its author nothing. In sickness and in health I have found in it that which can alone alleviate the one, or give enjoyment to the other, occupation and engagement. CONTENTS. CHAP. I. The question, Why am I obliged to II. What we mean when we say a man III. The question, Why am I obliged to VII. The necessity of general rules. of mankina The use of the institution of pro- III. The history of property .. . IV. In what the right of property is . . . . . VII. Contracts of sale . . . . IX. Contracts of lending of inconsuma- X. Contracts eoncerning the lending of XI. Contracts of labour-service ex. 110 XII. Contracts of labour-commissions 113 XIII. Contracts of labour-partnership 115 XIV. Contracts of labour-offices i 116 XVIII. Oath of allegiance . . 129 XIX. Oath against bribery in the election of members of parliament . . 132 XX. Oath against simony . . ib XXI. Oaths to observe local statutes. 135 144 H. Slaverics and deatment of CHAP. VIII. Marriage : . CHAP. I. Division of these duties II. Of the duty and the efficacy of prayer, so far as the same ap. pear from the light of nature : 235 III. Of the duty and efficacy of prayer, as represented in Scripture : 240 IV. Of private prayer, family prayer, V. Of forms of prayer in public wor. VI. Of the use of sabbatical institu- VII. Of the Scripture account of sabba- * VIII. By what acts and omissions the 268 270 |