Humphrey Primatt
Humphrey Primatt
Anglican priest, author of A Dissertation on the Duty of Mercy and the Sin
of cruelty to Brute Animals
(1736-1779)
"Pain is pain, whether it is inflicted on man or on beast; and the creature that suffers it, whether man or beast, being sensible of the misery of it whilst it lasts, suffers Evil..."
“…a cruel Christian is a monster of ingratitude, a scandal to his profession and beareth the name of Christ in vain…”
“Let no views of profit, no compliance with custom, and no fear of the ridicule of the world, ever tempt thee to the least act of cruelty or injustice to any creature whatsoever. But let this be your invariable rule, everywhere, and at all times, to do unto others as, in their condition, you would be done unto.”
"We may pretend to what religion we please, but cruelty is atheism. We
may boast of Christianity; but cruelty is infidelity. We may trust our
orthodoxy; but cruelty is the worst of heresies."
~ A Dissertation on the Duty of Mercy and the Sin of Cruelty to Brute Animals
(1776)
"However men may differ as to speculative points of Religion, JUSTICE is
a rule of universal extent and invariable obligation. We acknowledge this
important truth in all matters in which MAN is concerned, but then we limit
it to our own species only.…To rectify this mistaken notion is the design of
this treatise, in which I have endeavored to prove, that as the Love and
Mercy of God are over all of his works, from the highest rational to the
lowest sensitive, our Love and Mercy are not to be confined within the
circle of our own friends, acquaintance, and neighbours; nor limited to the
more enlarged sphere of human nature, to creatures of our own rank, shape,
and capacity; but are to be extended to every object of the Love and Mercy
of GOD the universal Parent; who, as he is righteous in all his ways, and
holy in all his works, will undoubtedly require of Man, superior Man, a
strict account of his conduct to every creature entrusted to his care, or
coming in his way; and who will avenge every instance of wanton cruelty and
oppression, in the day in which he will judge the world in RICHTEOUSNESS."
~ A Dissertation on the Duty of Mercy and the Sin of Cruelty to Brute Animals
(1776) (i-iv)
"What should we think of a stout and strong Man, that should exert his
fury and barbarity on a helpless and innocent Babe ? Should we not abhor and
detest that man, as a mean, cowardly, and savage wretch, unworthy the
stature and strength of a man? No less mean, cowardly, and savage is it, to
abuse and torment the innocent Beast, who can neither help himself or avenge
himself; and yet has as much right to happiness in this world as a child can
have; nay, more right, if this world be his only inheritance."
~ A Dissertation on the Duty of Mercy and the Sin of Cruelty to Brute Animals
(1776) (47)
"Whilst he lives [the brute] has a right to happiness."
~ A Dissertation on the Duty of Mercy and the Sin of Cruelty to Brute Animals
(1776) (53)
"There are Three Instances of Regard, which the Creatures, who are
instructed to our care, in consideration of their service, and dependence
upon us, have an undoubted right to, and which on the principles of natural
Religion they may justly demand of us; and these are FOOD, REST, and TENDER
USAGE. These three demands of Food, Rest, and Tender Usage, the Goodness of
the great GOD their Creator has been pleased to covenant for on their
behalf, and to enjoin and ratify in his written Laws."
~ A Dissertation on the Duty of Mercy and the Sin of Cruelty to Brute Animals
(1776) (147)
"The soil is the property of GOD, the Lord Paramount of the Manor, who
hath made the grass to grow for the CATTLE. The grass of the field therefore
is no gift of yours to them; it is their right; their property; it was
provided for them, and given to them, before man was created."
~ A Dissertation on the Duty of Mercy and the Sin of Cruelty to Brute Animals
(1776) (151-2)
"The laborious Beast of every kind, whether Ox, or Horse, or Ass, has a
just right to every refreshment of nature."
~ A Dissertation on the Duty of Mercy and the Sin of Cruelty to Brute Animals
(1776) (177)
"For as SABBATH was ordained for beast as well as man, though the beast
is not capable of keeping the sabbath as a day of Sanctification, he hath by
the command of God a right to a Sabbath as a day of Rest and Blessing."
~ A Dissertation on the Duty of Mercy and the Sin of Cruelty to Brute Animals
(1776) (197-8)
"To neglect, or abuse, or ill treat our own Cattle, is cruelty of a
heinous nature; because They have a right to our Care and Tenderness: and if
any man Provides not for his own, and especially for those of his own house,
he hath denied the Faith, and is worse than an Infidel. But our Mercy and
Regard is not to rest there. It is further our duty to be always ready to
relieve and succour the Miserable, whether known or unknown to us. Any Beast
in distress, be it Ox, or Ass, or Sheep, or other Animal, has a claim upon
us of Assistance."
~ A Dissertation on the Duty of Mercy and the Sin of Cruelty to Brute Animals
(1776) (253)
"No Creature is so insignificant, but whilst it had Life, it has a Right
to Happiness. To deprive it of Happiness is Injustice; and to put it to
unnecessary Pain is Cruelty. It is very unreasonable therefore, if not
foolish in men, to estimate the degree of the sin of cruelty to any creature
by the value we set upon the creature itself; or to suppose that difference
of size, or difference of beauty, are foundations of real difference as to
the feelings of Brutes. A Fly had feeling as well as an Ox; and a Toad has a
much right of happiness as a Canary Bird; for the same GOD made the Ox, and
the Fly and the Toad and the Bird... For Cruelty to a Brute is odious and
abominable, whether it be to a Beast, a a Bird, or a Fish, or a Worm. Be the
creature never so insignificant in our estimation, we cannot put it to any
degree of pain without a violation of the Laws of Nature; because every
living creature is the work of the GOD of Nature."
~ A Dissertation on the Duty of Mercy and the Sin of Cruelty to Brute
Animals (1776) (259-60; 270-1)
