Page images
PDF
EPUB

X.

As far as human frailties will permit, 'we should persevere in a constant tenor of obedience. That lax behaviour, which, instead. of making a steady progress, is relapsing into former errors, and running the same round of sinning and repenting, is rather the life of an irresolute sinner, than of a pious Christian.

.XI.

A crafty and envious world has joined goodness of heart with intellectual imbecility!

XII.

Man is indeed a weak creature, but he is also an improvable creature. He has strong passions, but he has also strong powers within him to counteract their operations.

XIII.

Mathematical Truth is indeed a most beautiful object of contemplation; but Moral Truth is better calculated to excite and reward the attention of the busy world.

XIV.

Industry in laudable pursuits is a neverfailing source of internal satisfaction.

XV..

A bad man cannot be a patriot-a man of no private virtue, must want principle; and a man who wants principle, cannot be actuated by pure motives.

XVI.

With respect to the art of pleasing, when it requires the sacrifice of your sincerity, despise it as the base quality of flatterers, cheats, and scoundrels.

XVII.

To argue against pleasure is absurd. It is the law of nature that every man should prefer the agreeable sensation to the disagreeable; but it is incumbent on the moralist to explode those which are improper.

XVIII.

Religion and duty enjoin many things which are downright barbarisms, and real solicisms in the school of fashion.

XIX.

Man has so natural a tendency to religion, that few could be irreligious without the intervention of circumstances produced by pride and wickedness, and operating against the natural sentiments of the human mind.

XX.

Man will do right to avoid adopting any system of principles, or following any pattern of conduct, which his judgment has not pronounced conducive to his happiness, and consistent with those duties he owes to GOD, his neighbour, himself, and society.

XXI.

Vanity and effrontery, dispositions obviously inconsistent with solid virtue, chiefly attract popular notice.

XXII.

Great writers have indirectly patronized Scepticism; but if names are to have weight in this argument, to a Hume, a Rousseau, a

Voltaire, we may confidently oppose a Lowth, a Hurd, a Porteus, a Johnson, and many more in the retired walks of literary life, whom every virtue, as well as every muse, is proud to claim as her deserving votary.

FROM

SARE'S COLLECTION.

WE

·I.

E must conclude, that every action is good or bad, wise or foolish, as it promotes or hinders our happiness in the life

to come. '

11.

It is as dangerous to be wilfully ignorant, as to disobey; for since we are reasonable creatures, we are as much bound to know our duty, as we are to practise it.

111.

We have more laziness in our minds, than in our bodies.

IV.

We are apt to do what we see others de, rather than what we ought to do ourselves.

« PreviousContinue »