'The promotion of the glory of God, and the possession of his favor, are no longer recognized as the objects of highest regard, and most strenuous endeavors; as furnishing to us, a vigorous, habitual, and universal principle of action. We set up for ourselves: we are become are own masters. The sense of constant homage and continual service is irksome and galling to us; and we rejoice in being emancipated from it as from a state of base and servile villainage. Thus the very tenure and condition by which life and all its possessions are held, undergo a total change: our faculties and powers are now are own: whatever we have is regarded rather as a property than as a trust; or if there still exist the remembrance of some paramount claim, we are satisfied with an occasional acknowledgement of a nominal right; we pay our pepper corn, and take our estates to ourselves in full and free enjoyment.'
William Wilberforce, A Practical View of Christianity, p.97.
