That we ought not to decide by the Precepts of Religion, what belongs only to the Law of Nature.
THE Abassines have a most severe Lent of fifty days, which weakens them to such a degree, that for a long time they are incapable of business: the Turks do not fail to attack them after their Lent. Religion ought, in favour of the natural right of self-defence, to set bounds to these customs.
The Jews were obliged to keep the sabbath; but it was an instance of great stupidity in this nation, not to defend themselves when their enemies chose to attack them on this day.
Cambyses laying siege to Pelusium, set in the first rank a great number of those animals, which the Ægyptians regarded as sacred; the consequence was, that the soldiers of the garrison durst not molest them. Who does not see that self-defence is a duty superior to every precept?