tion of a filly world-but know, that thefe powers and honours were appointed by God, who has provided higher honours for true virtue, an inheritance undefiled, a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Go and purfue pleasures, ranfack every element, explore all the luxury of taftes, fquander all your wealth on your appetites, and confider your reafon as defigned to cater for your meaner lufts-But know, that God made those fenfes, and thofe good things which you so wantonly abuse, and has provided for virtue pleasures more pure, more refined, and durable.

1

but

"BUT you deny not his power, poffibly, you fay, he has no fuch de

figns the promises, which are pre"tended, may be illufion and imposture. "This life we know, the other we "know not; it is folly to quit certain"ties for uncertainties.'

IF his power, then, be undisputed, a few words will be fufficient. As for the

truth

truth of his promises, I leave you to dispute that point with him at his tribunal. You take the promise of a man like yourself, though he may want fincerity, though he may change his will by inftability of humour, though, were he ever fo fincere and fixt, a thousand accidents may deprive him of the power of performing his promife. It is the office of faith (and furely it is no grievous impofition!) to believe the promise of a God, who is ever true, immutable, and omnipotent; the author of nature; and the director of all events. *

"BUT if he made the pleasures of "the world, where is the harm of enjoying them; why would he give us

*HOMER had truer notions than many nominal chriftians he understood these three perfections of the Divine Being:

8 γαρ εμον παλιναγρετον, εδ' απατηλον, Ουδ' ατελεύτητον γ', ο, τι κεν κεφαλη κατανεύσω.

appetites, if he meant to debar us of "the enjoyment?"

THE answer is short and eafy: We are fo far from being debarred the enjoyment of our appetites, that our duty lies in enjoying them, provided we do it in a virtuous manner; and it happens very unluckily for the debauchee, that the virtuous indulgence is the truer happinefs. Where they cannot be indulged but at the expence of innocence, there they are to be denied: for GOD has forbidden the pleasure. Religion calls us not into cloystered retirement: We then beft obey it, when we discharge the feveral duties of active life, provided we discharge them with innocence. Religion only interferes, where juftice, honour, and charity are to be violated: there we must obey God rather than men.

As for the good and virtuous, who are obliged to fuffer by such abstinence, or by the calamities of the world, let them confider, that their sufferings give

them

them a kind of right or title to the promife of GOD. He has promised to avenge their wrongs, and reward their patience. He cannot forfake you without denying his own nature. Whatever be your trials and diftreffes, fubmit to them; and, though the world offered you all its tranfitory glories to feduce you, yet let it not tempt you to forfeit your greater privileges.