The king's experiment
We read of an ancient king, who being desirous to know what was the natural language of men, in order to bring the matter to a certain issue, made the following experiment. He ordered two infants, as soon as they were born, to be conveyed to a place prepared for them, where they were brought up without any instruction at all, and without ever hearing a human voice. And what was the result? Why, that when they were at length brought out of their confinement, they spoke no language at all. They uttered only inarticulate sounds, like those of other animals. Were two infants in like manner to be brought up from the womb without being instructed in any religion, there is little room to doubt but (unless the grace of God intervened) the result would be just the same. They would have no religion at all. They would have no more knowledge of God than the beasts of the field, than the wild ass's colt (Job 11:12). Such is natural religion, apart from tradition and from the influences of God's Spirit!
1771 text
4. *We read of an antient king, who being desirous to know, what was the natural language of men, in order to bring the matter to a certain issue, made the following experiment. He ordered two infants as soon as they were born, to be conveyed to a place prepared for them, where they were brought up without any instruction at all, and without ever hearing an human voice. And what was the event? Why, that when they were at length brought out of their confinement, they spake no language at all; they uttered only inarticulate sounds, like those of other animals. Were two infants in like manner to be brought up from the womb, without being instructed in any religion, there is little room to doubt, but (unless the grace of God interposed) the event would be just the same. They would have no religion at all: they would have no more knowledge of God, than the beasts of the field, than the wild ass’s colt. Such is Natural religion! Abstracted from traditional, and from the influences of God’s Spirit.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 44 in the 1771 Works. Genesis 6:5.
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