Such are the bounds of sovereign authority, and such the necessary developement of its means and powers. Religion, to attain the same ends, employs other motives essentially different: first, it is not in a vague and general manner, that she influences the happiness of mankind; it is by addressing all men individually; by penetrating the heart of every human being, and pouring into it consolation and hope; by presenting to the imagination every thing that can insensibly lead it captive; by taking possession of men’s sentiments; by occupying their thoughts; and by availing herself of this dominion over them, to sustain their courage, and to afford them comfort under their afflictions and disappointments. In this manner religion concurs to maintain good order, by means absolutely distinct from those of government; for she not only governs our actions, but even our sentiments: it is with the errors and inclinations of each man in particular, that she seeks to combat. Religion, in demonstrating the presence of the Deity, on all occasions, however secret, exercises an habitual authority over the consciences of men; she seems to assist them under the perturbations of fear, and yet attends them in their flight; she equally notices their intentions, projects, and repentance; and in the method which she takes, seems as undulating and flexible in all her motions, as the empire of the law appears immoveable and constrained. I should not, at present, extend these reflections any further; but, if religion, in some measure, completes the imperfect work of legislation; if it ought to supply the insufficiency of those means which government is under the necessity of adopting, the subject I propose to treat of seems not foreign to those objects of meditation, which the study of administration ought to comprehend. I well know, that it is impossible to explain the importance of religion, without, at the same time, fixing the attention on the grand truths on which it depends; and you must also frequently touch on many subjects that are closely connected with the deepest metaphysics. We are, at least, obliged to seek for a defence against those arguments which sap the foundation of the most necessary opinions; by which the most impassioned sentiments have been discouraged; by which some would reduce man to a vegetable, make the universe the result of chance, and morality a state trick. As soon as I discovered how far my subject was likely to lead me, I felt myself intimidated; but I could not allow this to be a sufficient reason for relinquishing my undertaking; and since the greater part of the philosophers of the present age are united in opposition to those opinions, which the light of nature seems to have rendered sacred, it is become indispensably necessary, to admit to the combat all that offer; nay, even to select a champion from the main body of the army, when all the strong ones are already gone over to the camp of the enemy.