"They are plainly and explicitly published; easily understood; and in fair and legible characters writ in every man's heart; and the wisdom, reason, and necessity of them are readily discerned."
— Mason, John (1706-1763)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed by J. Waugh
Date
1745
Metaphor
"They are plainly and explicitly published; easily understood; and in fair and legible characters writ in every man's heart; and the wisdom, reason, and necessity of them are readily discerned."
Metaphor in Context
(1.) To yield a faithful obedience to the laws of his kingdom. And the advantages, by which these come recommended to us above all human laws, are many-—they are calculated for the private interest of every one, as well as that of the public; and are designed to promote our present, as well as our future happiness--They are plainly and explicitly published; easily understood; and in fair and legible characters writ in every man's heart; and the wisdom, reason, and necessity of them are readily discerned-—they are urged with the most mighty motives that can possibly affect the human heart: and if any of them are difficult, the most effectual grace is freely offered, to encourage and assist our obedience: advantages which no human laws have to enforce the observance of them.--(2.) As his subjects, we must readily pay him the homage due to his sovereignty. And this is no less than the homage of the heart; humbly acknowledging that we hold every thing of him, and have every thing from him. Earthly princes are forced to be content with verbal acknowledgments, or mere formal homage; for they can command nothing but what is external: but God, who knows and looks at the hearts of all his creatures, will accept of nothing but what comes from thence. He demands the adoration of our whole souls, which is most justly due to him who formed them, and gave them the very capacities to know and adore him.----
(I.iii, pp. 25-6)
(I.iii, pp. 25-6)
Categories
Provenance
Reading
Citation
20 entries in ESTC (1745, 1746, 1748, 1753, 1754, 1755, 1758, 1760, 1764, 1767, 1769, 1774, 1778, 1784, 1788, 1791, 1792, 1794, 1797).
Self-Knowledge. A Treatise, Shewing the Nature and Benefit of that Important Science, and The Way to attain it. Intermixed with various Reflections and Observations on Human Nature. By John Mason, A.M. (London: J. Waugh, 1745). <Link to Google>
Self-Knowledge. A Treatise, Shewing the Nature and Benefit of that Important Science, and The Way to attain it. Intermixed with various Reflections and Observations on Human Nature. By John Mason, A.M. (London: J. Waugh, 1745). <Link to Google>
Date of Entry
06/11/2013
