88 PSYCHOLOGY. 



Of course, the obligation of virtue rests ultimately on the will of 

 God ; and is a consequence of the Divine Perfection : but we fully 

 believe in a Moral Sense, or sentiment of Conscientiousness, im- 

 planted by our Creator, to incline us to do what we know to be our 

 duty. Conscience, we believe to be this principle, guided by reason, 

 and acting retrospectively, by the aid of memory. Both conscien- 

 tiousness, and reason, are, however, liable to be enfeebled and per- 

 verted ; and hence the necessity for a higher incentive to duty, in the 

 sanction of religion, enforced by Divine Revelation. Dr. Paley, con- 

 sidering private happiness as our motive to virtue, and rejecting the 

 doctrine of a Moral Sense, founds our inducement to virtue on selfish 

 principles, of mere reason, and personal benefit. While we admit 

 that such principles often govern the actions of men, we think that 

 the gratification of the Moral Sense, in the consciousness of virtuous 

 conduct, is a high and peculiar inducement to virtue, independent of 

 all reasoning : and that a feeling of this kind was necessary, in order 

 to counterbalance other feelings; which without this, would more 

 frequently lead us astray. Thus, by a wise Providence, the duties 

 enjoined upon us, in our present state, are made to contribute to our 

 happiness : while the crimes forbidden by virtue and religion, are 

 such as, if generally allowed, would soon spread misery and destruc- 

 tion among mankind. 



We proceed to treat of Ethics, under the four heads of Personal, 

 Cognate, Social, and Religious Duties ; the last, strictly speaking, 

 including, and sanctioning all the others. 



1. Personal duties, are those which relate especially to, or 

 which we owe immediately to ourselves. They all refer to Self-pre- 

 servation, the first law of nature : or to Self-improvement, which is of 

 no less importance. The first three of the cardinal virtues, tempe- 

 rance, prudence, and fortitude, are a part, but only a part, of the vir- 

 tues which come under this head. Temperance, includes the control 

 and regulation of all our propensities and sentiments. It comprehends 

 therefore sobriety, and all its kindred virtues. The opposite vices 

 are gluttony, drunkenness, impurity, covetousness, anger, and the 

 like ; the indulgence of which is a voluntary sacrifice of life, health, 

 and happiness, for a false and momentary enjoyment. Prudence, in 

 avoiding useless risk or danger; and Fortitude, in opposing or con- 

 fronting danger, when unavoidable, are also duties which we owe 

 chiefly to our own happiness. Patience in enduring pain or dis- 

 appointment, is often confounded with fortitude ; but is more pro- 

 perly its effect. Industry and Economy, are doubtless moral duties ; 

 necessary to our future comfort and support, especially in sickness 

 and age. Sloth, and prodigality, or extravagance, are criminal there- 

 fore, even towards ourselves ; however countenanced by the luxurious 

 and the vain. 



The duties of Mental, Moral, and Religious Cultivation, result, 

 like the preceding, from the will of God, that we should promote our 

 own happiness, and his honor and glory. The acquisition of know- 

 ledge, promotes our happiness, by enlarging our sphere of usefulness, 

 and giving us more elevated views of the Creator and his works. 

 Moral improvement, subserves the same object, besides the gratifica- 



