the Light of
Nature universally own'd. Some Dictates of it as suggested by
necessity, or convenience, having only been receiv'd, (as has been
already said) but not distinguish'd from the most Arbitrary
Institutions of Men; altho' it is probable that the greater Conformity
any Law had to the dictates of right Reason, it did the more
universally and easily obtain Belief of its being divinely reveal'd to
him who pretended so to have receiv'd it; and this apparently it was
which gave so great Success to the _Peruvian_ Lawgivers; whose
Idolatry was the most specious that was possible; and whose Rules of
Living (pretended to have been receiv'd by them from the Sun, their
Father, and Vicegerent of _Pachacama_, the Supream Invisible and
Unapproachable God) were highly suitable to the dictates of right
Reason.

This Law nevertheless not being receiv'd by that People but as a
Supernatural Revelation, the great Morality of the _Peruvians_ affords
no Argument against, but (on the contrary) proves strongly the need
of Revelation; since whatever Force of Reason these Natural Truths did
appear to this People to carry with them, when represented as divine
Commands, this light had never yet attracted their sight purely by its
own Brightness; nor ever has any where done so, but here and there in
a few Instances of Persons of more than ordinarily inquisitive Minds;
and (probably) for the most part, exempted by a happy priviledge of
Nature from the servitude of sensual, and sordid Passions.

And tho' nothing can be more evident to those who reflect thereupon,
than that Mens Actions should be regulated, and directed by that
Faculty in them which shows them the different properties, relations,
and dependencies of things, and not by their Appetite, which only can
tell what will at the present please, or offend them; not what will,
upon the whole, procure to them the most pleasure, or uneasiness; yet
such appears to be the unreflecting Nature of the generality of
Mankind, and such their fondness of present pleasure, as either not to
consider this Truth, or when they do so, to be induc'd (in consequence
thereof) to obey the most manifest dictates of Reason, or Natural
Light, which will lay any restraint upon their pleasing, and,
oftentimes, violent Inclinations: Much less will they be at pains to
search for any such Measures of their Actions in the Constitution and
dependances of things; which is indeed what the far greater part of
Men have