THE PRINCIPLES OF NATURAL LAW. IN WHICH The true Systems of MORALITY and CIVIL AND The different Sentiments of Grotius, Hobbes, By J. J. BURLAMAQUI, Counsellor of State, and late Profeffor of NATURAL Translated into ENGLISH by Mr. NUGENT. LONDON, Printed for J. NOURSE, at the Lamb, oppofite ΤΟ Dr. M E A D. SIR, O intrude in this manner upon your time, fo usefully employed in the focial duties of your profeffion, would expofe me in fome measure to blame, were it upon a lefs important occafion than that of recommending the following work to your generous protection. The dignity of the fubject, which, handled by other pens, has been thought worthy of being infcribed to the moft illuftrious perfonages of the laft and prefent age, will plead, I hope, fome excufe for an addrefs, which is defigned not fo much to interrupt your occupations, as to avail itfelf of the fanction of your name in introducing this work to the public. A 2 public. And indeed a nobler fubject I could not felect for the favor of your acceptance, than that which so nearly relates to the moral duties of life, and the foundation of human contentment and happiness; a subject moreover illuftrated by one of the ableft mafters of the prefent age, whofe extraordinary. ability and skill in curing the disorders of the mind, may be compared very aptly to yours in removing thofe of the body. One of the principal encouragements I had to this addrefs, is the near relation between the following work, and thofe elevated fentiments with which you have been always inspired. Such an admirable fyftem of moral precepts, fuch noble maxims of true Chriftian policy, and fuch excellent rules for the government of our lives, cannot but be acceptable to a gentleman, who, in the whole tenor of his conduct, has been an illuftrious example of those rules and maxims which are here most judiciously established. A very good opportunity this of entering upon upon the encomium of thofe virtues which have fo eminently distinguished you at the head of your profeffion; but the little value any commendations of mine would have, the apprehenfion I should be under of being fufpected of adulation, and the danger I fhould incur of offending your modefty, who have as great a contempt for praise as ambition to deserve it, obliges me to wave any attempt of this nature. However I cannot help taking notice of that true greatness and magnificence of foul, with which you have at all times moît liberally contributed to the advancement of learning, and whereby you have justly acquired the flattering title of patron and protector of letters. In fact, the extensive bleffings that fortune has bestowed upon you, have been employed not as inftruments of private luxury, but as means of promoting thofe arts, which have received an additional luftre, fince they have fhone fo confpicuously in your perfon. Your friendship and correspondence have been courted by the greatest men of the prefent age; and |