Articles of Belief and Acts of Religion
Autograph ms: Library of Congress; also
transcript: Library of Congress
Articles of Belief and Acts of Religion In Two
Parts.
Here will I hold—If there is a Pow’r above us (And that there is,
all Nature cries aloud, Thro’ all her Works), He must delight in
Virtue And that which he delights in must be Happy. Cato.
Part I. Philada. Nov. 20 1728. First Principles
I Believe there is one Supreme most
perfect Being, Author and Father of the Gods themselves.
For I believe that Man is not the most perfect
Being but One, rather that as there are many Degrees of Beings his
Inferiors, so there are many Degrees of Beings superior to him.
Also, when I stretch my Imagination thro’ and
beyond our System of Planets, beyond the visible fix’d Stars
themselves, into that Space that is every Way infinite, and
conceive it fill’d with Suns like ours, each with a Chorus of
Worlds for ever moving round him, then this little Ball on which we
move, seems, even in my narrow Imagination, to be almost Nothing,
and my self less than nothing, and of no sort of Consequence.
When I think thus, I imagine it great Vanity in
me to suppose, that the Supremely Perfect, does in the least
regard such an inconsiderable Nothing as Man. More especially,
since it is impossible for me to have any positive clear Idea of
that which is infinite and incomprehensible, I cannot conceive
otherwise, than that He, the Infinite Father, expects or
requires no Worship or Praise from us, but that he is even
infinitely above it.
But since there is in all Men something like a
natural Principle which enclines them to Devotion or the Worship of some unseen Power;
And since Men are endued with Reason superior
to all other Animals that we are in our World acquainted with;
Therefore I think it seems required of me, and
my Duty, as a Man, to pay Divine Regards to Something.
I conceive then, that
the Infinite has created many Beings or
Gods, vastly superior to Man, who can better conceive his
Perfections than we, and return him a more rational and glorious
Praise. As among Men, the Praise of the Ignorant or of Children, is
not regarded by the ingenious Painter or Architect, who is rather
honour’d and pleas’d with the Approbation of Wise men and
Artists.
It may be that these created Gods, are
immortal, or it may be that after many Ages, they are changed, and
Others supply their Places.
Howbeit, I conceive that each of these is
exceeding wise, and good, and very powerful; and that Each has made
for himself, one glorious Sun, attended with a beautiful and
admirable System of Planets.
It is that particular wise and good God, who is
the Author and Owner of our System, that I propose for the Object
of my Praise and Adoration.
For I conceive that he has in himself some of
those Passions he has planted in us, and that, since he has given
us Reason whereby we are capable of observing his Wisdom in the
Creation, he is not above caring for us, being pleas’d with our
Praise, and offended when we slight Him, or neglect his Glory.
I conceive for many Reasons that he is a
good Being, and as I should be happy to have so wise, good
and powerful a Being my Friend, let me consider in what Manner I
shall make myself most acceptable to him.
Next to the Praise due, to his Wisdom, I
believe he is pleased and delights in the Happiness of those he has
created; and since without Virtue Man can have no Happiness in this
World, I firmly believe he delights to see me Virtuous, because he
is pleas’d when he sees me Happy.
And since he has created many Things which seem
purely design’d for the Delight of Man, I believe he is not
offended when he sees his Children solace themselves in any manner
of pleasant Exercises and innocent Delights, and I think no
Pleasure innocent that is to Man hurtful.
I love him therefore for his Goodness
and I adore him for his Wisdom.
(1)
Powerful Goodness, &c.
O Creator, O Father, I believe that thou art
Good, and that thou art pleas’d with the Pleasure of thy
Children. Praised be thy Name for Ever.
(2)
By thy Power hast thou made the glorious Sun, with his attending
Worlds; from the Energy of thy mighty Will they first received
[their prodigious] Motion, and by thy Wisdom hast thou prescribed
the wondrous Laws by which they move. Praised be thy Name for
ever.
(3)
By thy Wisdom hast thou formed all Things, Thou hast created
Man, bestowing Life and Reason, and plac’d him in Dignity superior
to thy other earthly Creatures. Praised be thy Name for
ever.
(4)
Thy Wisdom, thy Power, and thy Goodness
are every where clearly seen; in the Air and in the Water, in the
Heavens and on the Earth; Thou providest for the various winged
Fowl, and the innumerable Inhabitants of the Water; Thou givest
Cold and Heat, Rain and Sunshine in their Season, and to the Fruits
of the Earth Increase.Praised be thy Name for ever.
(5)
I believe thou hast given Life to thy Creatures that they might
Live, and art not delighted with violent Death and bloody
Sacrifices.centerPraised be thy Name for ever.
(6)
Thou abhorrest in thy Creatures Treachery and Deceit, Malice,
Revenge, [Intemperance] and every other hurtful Vice; but
Thou art a Lover of Justice and Sincerity, of Friendship,
Benevolence and every Virtue. Thou art my Friend, my Father, and my
Benefactor. Praised be thy Name for ever. Amen.
After this, it will not be improper to read
part of some such Book as Ray’s Wisdom of God in the Creation or
Blacmore on the Creation, or the Archbishop of Cambray’s
Demonstration of the Being of a God; &c. or else spend some
Minutes in a serious Silence, contemplating on those Subjects.
Then Sing Milton’s Hymn to the Creator
These are thy Glorious Works, Parent of Good!
Almighty: Thine this Universal Frame,
Thus wondrous fair! Thy self how wondrous then!
Speak ye who best can tell, Ye Sons of Light,
Angels, for ye behold him, and with Songs,
And Choral Symphonies, Day without Night
Circle his Throne rejoicing. You in Heav’n,
On Earth, join all Ye Creatures to extol
Him first, him last, him midst and without End.
Fairest of Stars, last in the Train of Night,
If rather thou belongst not to the Dawn,
Sure Pledge of Day! That crown’st the smiling Morn
With thy bright Circlet; Praise him in thy Sphere
While Day arises, that sweet Hour of Prime.
Thou Sun, of this Great World both Eye and Soul
Acknowledge Him thy Greater, Sound his Praise
In thy Eternal Course; both when thou climb’st,
And when high Noon hast gain’d, and when thou fall’st.
Moon! that now meet’st the orient Sun, now fly’st
With the fix’d Stars, fix’d in their Orb that flies,
And ye five other Wandring Fires, that move
In mystic Dance, not without Song, resound
His Praise, that out of Darkness call’d up Light.
Air! and ye Elements! the Eldest Birth
Of Nature’s Womb, that in Quaternion run
Perpetual Circle, multiform; and mix
And nourish all Things, let your ceaseless Change
Vary to our great Maker still new Praise.
Ye Mists and Exhalations! that now rise
From Hill or steaming Lake, dusky or grey,
Till the Sun paint your fleecy Skirts with Gold,
In Honour to the World’s Great Author rise.
Whether to deck with Clouds th’ uncolour’d Sky
Or wet the thirsty Earth with falling Show’rs,
Rising or falling still advance his Praise.
His Praise, ye Winds! that from 4 Quarters blow,
Breathe soft or loud; and wave your Tops ye Pines!
With every Plant, in Sign of Worship wave.
Fountains! and ye that warble as ye flow
Melodious Murmurs, warbling tune his Praise.
Join Voices all ye living Souls, ye Birds!
That singing, up to Heav’n’s high Gate ascend,
Bear on your Wings, and in your Notes his Praise.
Ye that in Waters glide! and ye that walk
The Earth! and stately Tread, or lowly Creep;
Witness if I be silent, Ev’n or Morn,
To Hill or Valley, Fountain or Fresh Shade,
Made Vocal by my Song, and taught his Praise.
Here follows the Reading of some Book or part of a Book
Discoursing on and exciting to Moral
Virtue
Petition.
In as much as by Reason of our
Ignorance We cannot be Certain that many Things Which we often hear
mentioned in the Petitions of Men to the Deity, would prove
real Goods if they were in our Possession,
and as I have Reason to hope and believe that the Goodness of my
Heavenly Father will not withold from me a suitable Share of
Temporal Blessings, if by a Virtuous and
Holy Life I merit his Favour and Kindness,
There-fore I presume not to ask such Things, but rather Humbly, and
with a sincere Heart express my earnest Desires that he would
graciously assist my Continual Endeavours and Resolutions of
eschewing Vice and embracing Virtue; Which kind of Supplications
will at least be thus far beneficial, as they remind me in a solemn
manner of my
Extensive Duty. Prel. That I may be preserved from Atheism and
Infidelity, Impiety and Profaneness, and in my Addresses to Thee
carefully avoid Irreverence and Ostentation, Formality and odious
Hypocrisy, Help me, O Father That I may be loyal to my
Prince, and faithful to my Country, careful for its Good, valiant
in its Defence, and obedient to its Laws, abhorring Treason as much
as Tyranny, Help me, O Father That I may to those above me be
dutiful, humble, and submissive, avoiding Pride, Disrespect and
Contumacy, Help me, O Father That I may to those below me, be
gracious, Condescending and Forgiving, using Clemency, protecting
Innocent Distress, avoiding Cruelty, Harshness and
Oppression, Insolence and unreasonable Severity, Help me, O
Father That I may refrain from Calumny and Detraction; that I
may avoid and abhor Deceit and Envy, Fraud, Flattery and Hatred,
Malice, Lying and Ingratitude, Help me, O Father That I may
be sincere in Friendship, faithful in Trust, and impartial in
Judgment, watchful against Pride, and against Anger (that momentary
Madness), Help me, O Father That I may be just in all my
Dealings and temperate in my Pleasures, full of Candour and
Ingenuity, Humanity and Benevolence, Help me, O Father That I
may be grateful to my Benefactors and generous to my Friends,
exerting Charity and Liberality to the Poor, and Pity to the
Miserable, Help me, O Father That I may avoid Avarice,
Ambition, and Intemperance, Luxury and Lasciviousness, Help me, O
Father That I may possess Integrity and Evenness of Mind,
Resolution in Difficulties, and Fortitude under Affliction; that I
may be punctual in performing my Promises, peaceable and prudent in
my Behaviour, Help me, O Father That I may have Tenderness
for the Weak, and a reverent Respect for the Ancient; That I may be
kind to my Neighbours, good-natured to my Companions, and
hospitable to Strangers, Help me, O Father That I may be
averse to Craft and Overreaching, abhor Extortion, Perjury, and
every kind of Wickedness, Help me, O Father That I may be
honest and Openhearted, gentle, merciful and Good, chearful in
Spirit, rejoicing in the Good of Others, Help me, O Father
That I may have a constant Regard to Honour and Probity; That I may
possess a perfect Innocence and a good Conscience, and at length
become Truly Virtuous and Magnanimous, Help me, Good God,
Help me, O Father
And forasmuch as Ingratitude is one of the most
odious of Vices, let me not be unmindful gratefully to acknoledge
the Favours I receive from Heaven.
Thanks.
For Peace and Liberty, for Food and Raiment,
for Corn and Wine, and Milk, and every kind of Healthful
Nourishment, Good God, I Thank thee.
For the Common Benefits of Air and Light, for
useful Fire and delicious Water, Good God, I Thank
thee.
For Knowledge and Literature and every useful
Art; for my Friends and their Prosperity, and for the fewness of my
Enemies, Good God, I Thank thee.
For all thy innumerable Benefits; For Life and
Reason, and the Use of Speech, for Health and Joy and every
Pleasant Hour, my Good God, I thank thee.
End of the first Part.
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