s be swallow'd equally with the most reasonable; it being
undeniably true, that whatever God does Command, his Creatures are
under an equal Obligation of Obedience thereunto.

Some Men, it is likely, there have, in all Ages and Places, been, who
were too Sagacious to admit of that as Revelation from God, which
manifestly oppos'd Natural Light; and who needed a proof of the Divine
Mission of such pretenders as these. But the unthinking Multitude were
ever Credulous; and thence have been always practic'd upon in various
kinds, and measures, as has best suited the occasion: Those who have
had vicious Inclinations, or little Aims, and short views, having
impos'd upon them suitably to their Ends: And such as have had larger
comprehensions, generous designs, and Minds above Vulgar, Base and
Sordid Passions, having answerably to their Aims, serv'd themselves of
the same credulity. Of the last kind were such who have propos'd the
reclaiming of Men from vices more obviously prejudicial to Society,
and civil Government; thereby to erect or restore some flourishing
Kingdom, or common-wealth; And these, tho' they have deceived Men, in
making them believe that their Laws were Divinely inspir'd, have yet
deservedly been Honour'd by them as Benefactors, because of that
happiness which they procur'd to them thereby, in this World; beyond
which, their views extended not, as having no knowledge of a future
Life. The which sort of Men, however rational, and Vertuous they were,
yet (like other pretenders to Revelation) that they might the better
procure Authority to their Dictates, did with their civil
Institutions, mix Holy Mysteries; and that usually as peculiar Secrets
taught them by some Divinity. They also, how much soever they,
perhaps, secretly contemn'd such things, did yet generally pay a great
outward regard to matters of Religion; which have ever abounded in the
best Govern'd, and most Flourishing Kingdoms, and Common-wealths.

Now (as has been already said) the exact observers of the civil
Institutions of their Country, or Customs of their Ancestors, were
look'd upon as Men of Vertue; and whoso apply'd himself eminently to
the observation of such superstitions as consisted of Sacrifices,
Processions, Lustrations, &c. with a various Train of Pompous
Ceremonies, diversify'd according to the Phancies of their Authors,
was look'd upon as a Religious Man; whilst there was a third sort of
Men (inconsiderable always in their Number)