Digital Paxton: Digital Collection, Critical Edition, and Teaching Platform

An Answer to the Pamphlet Entitled "The Conduct of the Paxton Men" - 26

fore-on from his Subject. In Page 32. He tell us that to stifle the Notions of Revenge in prudent and Religious in private Persons. But at the same Time it is undoubtedly true, that a proper Spirit of Jealousy (observe) and revenge too, in a People, who are oppressed and injured; is a Politick and commendable Virtue: I should have been glad to have seen a little of his Activity displayed here, where he might have saved this Paragraph from a plain Contradiction; for my part I can’t stifle the Notions of Revenge, is Prudant; that is when a Person thinks himself or his Friends injured, he feels something stirring in his Heart which inclines him to do somewhat as bad or worse to the Person whom he looks upon to be or is the Agressor; this motion ought to be stifled (observe) and never allow’d to come forth into Action; nay, he seems to bind every Person to this, by the Cords of Religion; (well this is sound Doctrine.) But (observe) when men kick against the Pricks of Conscience, and will pay no Regard to the Divine Instinct in themselves notwithstanding, our Author cries out against it; Religion absolutely forbids it. Each Man suffers it to raise into a Flame, and Numbers of them being infatuated, combine together determined to be reveng’d and will Prosecute their Design, let the Consequence be what it will; even to murder their Neigbours, insult Government,

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