Page:A Vindication of Natural Society - Burke (1756).djvu/114

 is not wonderful that we should be treated like Beasts. But our Misery is much the greater, as the Crime we commit in rejecting the lawful Dominion of our Reason is greater. If after all, you should confess all these things, yet plead the Necessity of Political Institutions, weak and wicked as they are, I can argue with equal, perhaps superior Force concerning the Necessity of Artificial Religion; and every Step you advance in your Argument, you add a Strength to mine. So that if we are resolved to submit our Reason and our Liberty to Civil Usurpation, we have nothing to do but to conform as quickly as we can to the vulgar Notions which are connected with this, and take up their Theology as well as their Politicks. But if we think this Necessity rather imaginary than real, we should renounce their Dreams of Society, together with their Visions of Religion, and vindicate ourselves into perfect Liberty.