Edward Herbert de Cherbury
Five truths about God, worship and virtue are recognised by all peoples: they are enough for religion.
Life
Edward Herbert, Baron Herbert of Cherbury (1583-1648), was a gentleman of a Welsh family, soldier, poet and diplomat, English ambassador in Paris from 1619 to 1624 (with a break), and elder brother of the poet George Herbert. He published De Veritate in Paris (1624), arguing that certain "common notions" are inscribed in every human being, and he drew five articles of religion from them. He is often called the father of English deism, and Locke discussed him in the Essay concerning Human Understanding.
Main works
A treatise on truth and knowledge that posits "common notions" given to all, including those of religion.
A short work on the layman's religion, based on the five universal articles.
A study of the religions of the ancients, published after his death, in which he looks everywhere for the five articles.
In his own words
« 1. There is a supreme God. 2. He ought to be worshipped. 3. Virtue joined with piety is the best way of worshipping him. 4. One must repent of one's sins. 5. There is a reward or a punishment after this life. »
1. Esse aliquod supremum numen. 2. Numen illud coli debere. 3. Virtutem cum pietate conjunctam optimum esse rationem cultus divini. 4. Resipiscendum esse a peccatis. 5. Dari praemium vel paenam post hanc vitam transactam.
Positions
click a row to see the evidenceHe holds that a supreme God exists, must be honoured and rewards or punishes after death, but holds that a revelation granted to a few is uncertain and cannot be imposed on all.
Herbert de Cherbury, De Veritate (1624) ; De religione laici (1645)
Some truths, the common notions, are given to every human mind by nature before experience and are the criterion of truth by universal consent.
Herbert de Cherbury, De Veritate (1624)
Any claimed revelation must be tested against the common notions of reason; those that differ from them are uncertain.
Herbert de Cherbury, De Veritate (1624) ; De religione gentilium (1663)