Page:Thoughts on civil liberty, on licentiousness and faction.djvu/37

 and from this, through the fertile Power of Association, springs a new Principle of Self-Approbation and Self-Reproof, as an additional Regulator of our Thoughts and Actions.

'Tis true, many Writers have resolved the particular Dictates of natural Conscience into an unchangeable Principle of Right and Wrong, arising universally in the human Heart. There is no Doubt, but the general Principle of Self-Approbation or Self-Rebuke ariseth in an universal Manner, in some Degree or other: But as it appears from the History of human Nature, that the particular Dictates of this Conscience vary with the other received Principles of the Mind, it is not necessary to debate or dwell on this speculative Point: We may take it as a Truth confirmed by Facts, that the particular Dictates of natural Conscience will generally be founded on those of Religion and Honour.