Contents
-BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD
S. Austin Allibone, comp. Prose Quotations from Socrates to Macaulay. 1880.
Natural Religion
As concerning Divine Philosophy, or Natural Theology, it is that knowledge or rudiment of knowledge concerning God which may be obtained by the contemplation of his creatures; which knowledge may be truly termed divine in respect of the object, and natural in respect of the light. The bounds of this knowledge are, that it sufficeth to convince atheism, but not to inform religion.
A few sensual and voluptuous persons may, for a season, eclipse this native light of the soul, but can never so wholly smother and extinguish it but that, at some lucid intervals, it will recover itself again, and shine forth to the conviction of the conscience.Richard Bentley.
In everything the consent of all nations is to be accounted the law of nature, and to resist it is to resist the voice of God.
We may discover by the light of nature the existence of a Being who is possessed of all possible perfection. The works of God sufficiently display his goodness, wisdom, and power; but with respect to the application of these in any particular instance it leaves us entirely at a loss. We have no measure which we can apply to the operations of an infinite mind; and therefore, though we may be assured that the Divine Being possesses all the attributes which compose supreme excellence, it is impossible for us to say, in particular instances, what path of conduct may best consist with those perfections in their most extensive operation. Indeed, to discover not only the leading attributes of the Divine Nature, but to be acquainted beforehand with every direction they will take, would be fully to comprehend the Most High.Robert Hall: Excellency of the Christian Dispensation.
No man can attain belief by the bare contemplation of heaven and earth, for they neither are sufficient to give us as much as the least spark of light concerning the very principal mysteries of our faith.Richard Hooker.
The existence of God is so many ways manifest, and the obedience we owe him so congruous to the light of reason, that a great part of mankind give testimony to the law of nature.
I call that natural religion which men might know, and should be obliged to know, by the mere principles of reason, improved by consideration and experience, without the help of revelation.Bishop John Wilkins.
