Chap. VII.] IMMORAL INFLUENCE OF SKEPTICISM.

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The dread of punishment or infamy from his fellow-creatureswill be an equally ineffectual barrier ; because crimes are onlycommitted under such circumstances as suggest the hope of con-cealment ; not to say, that crimes themselves will lose their infa-my and their horror under the influence of that system, whichdestroys the sanctity of virtue by converting it into a low calcu-lation of worldly interest. Here the sense of an ever-presentRuler, and of an avenging Judge, is of the most awful and indis-pensable necessity ; as it is that alone, which impresses on allcrimes the character of folly as well as criminality ; shows thatduty and interest in every instance coincide, and that the mostprosperous career of vice, the most brilliant successes of crimin-ality, are but an accumulation of wrath against the day of wrath ,and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. * >•

As the frequent perpetration of great crimes is an inevitableconsequence of the diffusion of skeptical principles, so, to under-stand this consequence in its full extent, we must look beyondtheir immediate effects, and consider the disruption of social ties,the destruction of confidence, the terror, suspicion, and hatred,which must prevail in that state of society in which barbarousdeeds are familiar. The tranquillity which pervades a well-ordered community, and the mutual good offices which bind itsmembers together, are founded on an implied confidence in the jus-tice, humanity, and moderation of those among whom we dwell.

So that the worst consequence of crimes is, that they impair thestock of public charity and general humanity. The dread andhatred of our species would infallibly be grafted on a convictionthat we were exposed every moment to the surges of an unbri-dled ferocity, and [that nothing but the power of the magistratestood between us and the daggers of assassins. In such a state,laws, deriving no support from public manners, are unequal tothe task of curbing the fury of the passions ; which, from beingconcentrated into selfishness, fear, and revenge, acquire newforce. Terror and suspicion beget cruelty, and inflict injuriesby way of prevention. Pity is extinguished in the stronger im-pulse of self-preservation. The tender and generous affectionsare crushed ; and nothing is seen but the retaliation of wrongs,

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Romans ii. 5.