same. For so hath nature framed not only all living creatures, but other
things also which are without life, that they seek their own conservation,
and flee (if they can) from apparent destruction. Let us take one example
out of subtle Scalliger,(1148) which is this: If a small quantity of oil
be poured upon a sound board, let a burning coal be put in the midst of
it, and the oil will quickly flee back from its enemy, and seek the
conservation of itself. This is, therefore, the first precept of the law
of nature, that man seek his own conservation, and avoid his own
destruction. Whereupon this conclusion necessarily followeth, that he may
repel violence with violence. Secondly, As man is a living creature, the
law of nature teacheth him to propagate and conserve his kind. Whereupon
these conclusions do follow, viz., the commixion of male and female, the
procreation of children, the educating of them, and providing for them.
This nature hath taught to man, as a thing common to him with other living
creatures.

_Sect._ 5. Thirdly, As a man is a creature endowed with reason, the law of
nature teacheth him, 1. Something concerning God; 2. Something concerning
his neighbour; 3. Something concerning himself. I mean some general
notions concerning good and evil, in respect of each of these; whereof the
Apostle meaneth whilst he saith that the Gentiles "show the work of the
law written in their hearts," Rom. ii. 15. First, then, the law of nature
teacheth man to know that there is a God, and that this God is to be
worshipped; whereupon it followeth that man should seek to know God and
the manner of his worship. Now that which may be known of God is showed
even unto the Gentiles. The Apostle saith _signanter_, {~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON WITH VARIA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH PERISPOMENI~}
{~GREEK CAPITAL LETTER THETA~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH PERISPOMENI~}, Rom. i. 19, meaning those few and small sparkles of the knowledge of
God which nature's inbred light discovered unto the Gentiles, for making
them inexcusable, namely, that there is an eternal power and Godhead,
which men ought to r