It is the same absurdity as to say, that conformity with the laws of our being would not produce happiness, and that non conformity to the laws of our being would not produce misery which is a contradiction, for what do we mean by acting in conformity to the laws of our being, but that course of conduct in which all the powers of our being will sweetly harmonize, and produce happiness. A precept, to have the nature and the force of law, must be founded in reason, i.e., it must have some reason for its existence. And it were unjust to hold out no motives to obedience where a law is founded in a necessity of our nature. But whatever is unjust is no law. Therefore a precept without a sanction is not law.
Necessity is the foundation of all government.
There would be and could be no just government, but for the necessities of the universe. But these necessities cannot be met, the great end of government cannot be secured without motives or sanctions. Therefore that is no government, no law, that has no sanctions. In what light Sanctions are to be regarded. They are to be regarded as an expression of his estimation of the justice, necessity, and value of the precept.