286 APPENDIX. 



uses necessity as the old philosophers did an 

 occult quality, though to a difierent purpose ; 

 that was their refuge for ignorance, this is his 

 sanctuary for sin. 



Those civilians* that are most charitable to 

 necessity, make it no plea at all, except it be 

 absolute and insuperable ; as, by the Platonic 

 laws, only those persons are allowed to drink at 

 their neighbour s well, that had in vain sought 

 a spring, by digging fifty cubits deep in their 

 own ground. We allow the disburdening of a 

 ship, in imminent peril of wreck ; but this will 

 not excuse those, who, upon a fond or feigned 

 prsevision of a state-tempest, shall immediately 

 cast law and conscience overboard; discard 

 and quit rudder and steerage, and so assist the 

 danger they pretend to fear. 



Pausanias| tells of a chapel in Acrocorinth, 

 dedicated to Necessity and Violence; those 

 twin-goddesses may be fit objects for the wor- 

 ship of heathens ; but it is a pity they should 

 be so much adored by Christians. 



If I mistake not, the fundamental deceit lies 

 in a greedy entertaining those first pretences, 

 and seemingly candid propositions, that are 

 made to us, before they have passed those 



* Less. 1. ii. c. 12. dub. 12. un. 17. 

 t Ciel. Rhodi^. 102.5. 



