Sadly, I do not know enough regarding Burke to really engage. He is not a philsopher, but I would like to think he is following Hume as opposed to a 'Christian or ' argument.

Regarding Christianity and natural law and natural rights, both can be found in twelth and thirteenth century Christian thinkers. The former's champion being Thomas Aquinas, and the later being William of Ockham. Further I would sugest that liberalism owes St Paul a nod regarding our stress upon the individual.

Oh well. Random thoughts for a big topic. At root I believe that when Burke argues that a military or civil estabishment should control India as opposed to a merchant, I would like to think that it is because they grasp the idea of justice and politics more than does a merchant. They have habitually ruled and value custom-their power is ultimately derived from it. Sadly, pure speculation, and with that I am done.