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unprejudiced mind； while； on the other hand； if such debates were
carried on with violence and tumults； as the most wicked are
always the most obstinate； so the best and most holy religion
might be choked with superstition； as corn is with briars and
thorns。
He therefore left men wholly to their liberty； that they might be
free to believe as they should see cause； only he made a solemn
and severe law against such as should so far degenerate from the
dignity of human nature as to think that our souls died with our
bodies； or that the world was governed by chance； without a wise
overruling Providence： for they all formerly believed that there
was a state of rewards and punishments to the good and bad after
this life； and they now look on those that think otherwise as
scarce fit to be counted men； since they degrade so noble a being
as the soul； and reckon it no better than a beast's： thus they are
far from looking on such men as fit for human society； or to be
citizens of a well…ordered commonwealth； since a man of such
principles must needs； as oft as he dares do it； despise all their
laws and customs： for there is no doubt to be made that a man who
is afraid of nothing but the law； and apprehends nothing after
death； will not scruple to break through all the laws of his
country； either by fraud or force； when by this means he may
satisfy his appetites。 They never raise any that hold these
maxims； either to honors or offices； nor employ them in any public
trust； but despise them； as men of base and sordid minds： yet they
do not punish them； because they lay this down as a maxim that a
man cannot make himself believe anything he pleases； nor do they
drive any to dissemble their thoughts by threatenings； so that men
are not tempted to lie or disguise their opinions； which being a
sort of fraud； is abhorred by the Utopians。 They take care indeed
to prevent their disputing in defence of these opinions；
especially before the common people； but they suffer； and even
encourage them to dispute concerning them in private with their
priests and other grave men； being confident that they will be
cured of those mad opinions by having reason laid before them。
There are many among them that run far to the other extreme；
though it is neither thought an ill nor unreasonable opinion； and
therefore is not at all discouraged。 They think that the souls of
beasts are immortal； though far inferior to the dignity of the
human soul； and not capable of so great a happiness。 They are
almost all of them very firmly persuaded that good men will be
infinitely happy in another state； so that though they are
compassionate to all that are sick； yet they lament no man's
death； except they see him loth to depart with life； for they look
on this as a very ill presage； as if the soul； conscious to itself
of guilt； and quite hopeless； was afraid to leave the body； from
some secret hints of approaching misery。 They think that such a
man's appearance before God cannot be acceptable to him； who being
called on； does not go out cheerfully； but is backward and
unwilling； and is； as it were； dragged to it。 They are struck with
horror when they see any die in this manner； and carry them out in
silence and with sorrow； and praying God that he would be merciful
to the errors of the departed soul； they lay the body in the
ground； but when any die cheerfully； and full of hope； they do not
mourn for them； but sing hymns when they carry out their bodies；
and commending their souls very earnestly to God： their whole
behavior is then rather grave than sad； they burn the body； and
set up a pillar where the pile was made； with an inscription to
the honor of the deceased。
When they come from the funeral； they discourse of his good life
and worthy actions； but speak of nothing oftener and with more
pleasure than of his serenity at the hour of death。 They think
such respect paid to the memory of good men is both the greatest
incitement to engage others to follow their example； and the most
acceptable worship that can be offered them； for they believe that
though by the imperfection of human sight they are invisible to
us； yet they are present among us； and hear those discourses that
pass concerning themselves。 They believe it inconsistent with the
happiness of departed souls not to be at liberty to be where they
will； and do not imagine them capable of the ingratitude of not
desiring to see those friends with whom they lived on earth in the
strictest bonds of love and kindness： besides they are persuaded
that good men after death have these affections and all other good
dispositions increased rather than diminished； and therefore
conclude that they are still among the living； and observe all
they say or do。 From hence they engage in all their affairs with
the greater confidence of success； as trusting to their
protection； while this opinion of the presence of their ancestors
is a restraint that prevents their engaging in ill designs。
They despise and laugh at auguries； and the other vain and
superstitious ways of divination； so much observed among other
nations； but have great reverence for such miracles as cannot flow
from any of the powers of nature； and look on them as effects and
indications of the presence of the Supreme Being； of which they
say many instances have occurred among them； and that sometimes
their public prayers； which upon great and dangerous occasions
they have solemnly put up to God； with assured confidence of being
heard； have been answered in a miraculous manner。
They think the contemplating God in His works； and the adoring Him
for them； is a very acceptable piece of worship to Him。
There are many among them； that upon a motive of religion neglect
learning； and apply themselves to no sort of study； nor do they
allow themselves any leisure time； but are perpetually employed。
believing that by the good things that a man does he secures to
himself that happiness that comes after death。 Some of these visit
the sick； others mend highways； cleanse ditches； repair bridges；
or dig turf； gravel； or stone