Man, considered as a creature, must necessarily be subject to the laws of his Creator, for he is entirely a dependent being; and as man depends absolutely upon his Maker for everything, it is necessary that he should, in all points, conform to his Maker’s will, —which will is called the Law of Nature; and there are three great principles of this law, namely,—that we should live reputably, should hurt nobody, and should render to every one his due; and to these three principles Justinian has, in fact, reduced the whole doctrine of law.

The constitution and frame of humanity afford a striking proof of the benevolence of the Creator,—the laws of eternal justice being inseparably interwoven with the happiness of every individual; and the human reason not sufficing, of itself, to teach this law, therefore the beneficence of the Deity has aided the imperfection of human reason by an immediate and direct revelation, this revealed law being declared by the Holy Scriptures; and upon these two foundations, nature and revelation, depend all human laws.