PHILOSOPHY, MORAL. 
(which are said to fill at least fifty folio vo- 
lumes,) they could not contain all the cases 
that would occur; for, as Valey observes, 
“ it is not once in ten attempts that you find 
tlie case you look for in any law book what- 
ever; to say nothing of those numerous 
points of conduct concerning which the law 
professes not to prescribe or determine any 
thing.” Were the rules of scripture equally 
particular, they would he useless from their 
extent; and they would he injurious too, 
because they would prevent the reference of 
our actions to the general principle, and we 
shotild be satisfied if our case were not 
stated in the Christian system of morals. — 
Again, thirdly, it follows from the Christian 
precepts being so general, and principally 
regarding dispositions, that it not unfre- 
quently requires some consideration to as- 
certain wliere they are directly applicable, 
and still more, whether they altogether co- 
incide with one another in their direction. 
The virtuous dispositions may dwell together 
without opposition ; a man maybe generous 
and grateful and Just: but the actions to 
which each prompts, may not have that 
consistency with one another, which would 
permit of their being brought into exercise ; 
thus an external action which generosity and 
gratitude may solicit, justice may forbid. 
Hence it is of great importance to be able 
to form such a set of decisions, or still better 
such principles for decision as might present 
themselves when called for, and prevent us 
from giving to each class of virtuous actions, 
a disproportionate attention ; as should en- 
able ns to decide, when actions required it, 
to which class of virtue our preference should 
be.given, wliere we ought to restrain the im- 
pulse of feeling, and where to allow it to be 
our unhesitating guide. — Besides, fourthly, 
as Paley justly remarks, the scriptures com- 
monly pre-suppose in the persons to whom 
they speak a knowledge of the principles of 
natural justice ; and are employed not so 
much in teaching new rules of morality, as 
in inforcing the practice of it by new sanc- 
tions, and by a greater certainty, which 
last seems to be the proper business of a re- 
velation from God, and what was most 
wanted. 
5. But it maybe thought there is a prin- 
ciple in the human mind which supersedes 
tile necessity of moral investigation ; which 
infallibly directs right even in the most mi- 
nute circumstances. We know of no such 
principles. tVe know that there is a prin- 
ciple which springs up more or less in the 
mind of every human being, and which 
prompts to certain actions, and to avoid 
certain actions ; but we cannot think that 
the conscience is to be regarded in the 
light of a blind instinct : tliis would de- 
grade the moral actions of man to a level 
with the instinctive actions of the brute ; 
and it is unnecessary to resort to the suppo- 
sition ; its existence, its variations, its ef- 
fects can be accounted for without it. See 
Philosophy, mental. 
But in whatever light we regard the con- 
science, it is indisputable that its dictates 
are not uniformly the same in any mind, 
and that they are exceedingly variable, if 
not with respect to the grand principles of 
duty, with respect to the application of 
those principles in different individuals and 
classes of individuals. It is indisputable 
that the moral principle grows to maturity 
from a small seed. It is indisputable that it 
is susceptible of culture ; that if neglected 
its judgments become wavering and im- 
portant ; that if its dictates be made to un- 
dergo revision, if corrected by tlie means of 
judgment which we possess, if its defects 
are supplied by those extended views of 
duty, its decisions become more firm, and 
in general more efficacious. 
6. Even an ardent desire to keep with 
exactness the best rules of duty will not 
render unnecessary attention to the cultiva- 
tion of the conscience, and must therefore 
prompt to it. An instance occurs in point. 
Dr. Cogan, in his Treatise on the Passions, 
has the following remarks. “ An instance 
of the influence of perverted principle oc- 
curs to my remembrance, in the conduct of 
a pious mother towards a most excellent 
and dutiful son, who, from a principle of 
conscience, in opposition to his interests, 
renounced the religious system in w'bicli he 
had been educated, for another whicli he 
deemed more consonant to truth. She 
told him that she found it her duty, however 
severe the struggle, to alienate her affec- 
tions from him, now he had rendered him- 
self an enemy to God, by embracing such 
erroneous sentiments. My friend added, 
tliat she was completely successful in these 
pious endeavours ; and that the duty which 
she enjoined upon herself was scrupulously 
performed during the remainder of her 
days.” Tiie same philosophic writer ad- 
duces another instance of the irregularity of 
the moral principle in a young lady, in 
whose character mildness and compassion 
were pre-eminent features. “ I was once 
passing through Moorfields,” says the Doc- 
“ tor, with a young lady, aged about nine or 
