Page:Thoughts on civil liberty, on licentiousness and faction.djvu/149

 A Variety of Proofs hath been given of these different Degrees of moral Character, in the preceding Parts of this Essay.

But that we may not seem to build on a Principle which this Author admits not, we hear him virtually declaring all This himself in another Part of his Book. "Here He (Man) has an Opportunity given him of improving or debasing his Nature, in such a Manner as to render himself fit for a Rank of higher Perfection and Happiness; or to degrade himself to a State of greater Imperfection and Misery. " Again, he speaks of a Reformation of Manners, as a Thing practicable: And recommends it, as the only Remedy for political Evil.

But while he treats of the absolute Necessity of political Corruption, all the better Part of Man is hid; his Imperfections and Vices alone are set in View. During the Progress of this Argument, if it deserves that