not his ambition and expectation to be greater? Let us be the adventurers for another world; it is at least a fair and noble chance; and there is nothing in this worthy of our thoughts, or our passions. If we are disappointed, we are still no worse off than the rest of our fellow mortals; and if we suc ceed in our expectations, we are eternally happy. Burnet's theory.

REFLECTION, MORAL AND DIVINE.

DISCOURSES of morality, and reflections upon human nature, are the best means we can make use of to improve our minds, and gain a true know). edge of ourselves; and consequently to recover our souls out of the vice, the ignorance, and the prejudice, which naturally cleave to them. Spec

tator.

The first consideration a wise man fixes upon, is the great end of his creation; what it is, and wherein it consists; the next is, the most proper means to attain that end.

There is nothing that favors and falls in with the natural greatness and dignity of human nature, so much as religion: which not only prom ises the entire refinement of the mind, but the glo rifying of the body, and the immortality of both. Tatler.

If you would improve in wisdom, says Epictetus, you must be content to be thought foolish, for neglecting the things of the world.

He that makes any thing his chief good, wherein virtue, reason, and humanity do not bear a part, can never do the duties of either friendship, justice or liberality. Cicero.

Wisdom allows nothing to be good, that will not be so forever; no man to be happy, but he that needs no other happiness than what is within himself; no man to be great or powerful, that is not master of himself. Seneca.

Every state and condition of life, if attended with virtue, is undisturbed and delightful; but when vice is intermixed, it renders even things that appear splendid, sumptuous and magnificent, distasteful and uneasy to the possessor. Plutarch.

Religion is the knowledge of the most excellent

truths, the contemplation of the most glorious ob. jects, the hope of the most ravishing pleasures; and the practice of such duties as are most serviceable to our happiness, our peace, our health, our honour, our prosperity, and our eternal welfare.

Virtue is like precious odours, most fragrant by being crushed; for prosperity best discovers vice, but adversity best discovers virtue. Ld Bacon.

The chief properties of wisdom, are to be mindful of things past, careful for things present, and provident for things to come. Sir W. Raleigh.

When a man has once gotten a habit of virtue, all his actions are equal.

The first step towards virtue, is to abstain from vice. No man has true, sound sense, who is im. moral. Spectator.

The omission of good is a commission of evil.

A good man is influenced by God, himself, and has a kind of divinity within him. Seneca.

Virtue needs no outward pomp; her very coun tenance is so full of majesty, that the proudest pay her respect, and the most profane are awed by her presence.

It is a great disgrace to religion, to imagine that it is an enemy to mirth and cheerfulnes, and a severe exactor of pensive looks and solemn faces. Dr. Scott.

The true spirit of religion cheers and calms the soul. It is not the business of virtue to extir. pate the affections of the mind, but to regulate them. Spectator.

All virtues are in agreement; all vices are at variance. Seneca.

Were there but one virtuous man in the world, he would hold up his head with confidence and honour; he would shame the world, but the world would not shame him. Dr. South.

Any sin committed in jest, is greater than when it is done in earnest.

Though it be a truth very little received, that virtue is its own reward; it is surely an undenia ble one, that vice is its own punishment.

1

The sum of Christianity or morality is, give and forgive; bear and forbear.

If a man would but consult the golden rule, of dealing as he would be dealt by, those very passions which incline him to wrong others would instruct him to do right by them.

He who makes an idol of his interest, makes a martyr of his integrity.

The principal point of wisdom is, to know how to value things just as they deserve. There is nothing in the world worth being a knave for.

He who increases the endearments of life, increases at the same time the terrors of death. Dr. Young.

The neglecting the study of true wisdom, says an eminent writer, will revenge itself; the despisers of it not being able to do well in their greatest prosperity, and the lovers of it not being willing to do wrong in their lowest adversities.

If we take pains in what is good, the pains van. ish, but the good remains; if we take pleasure in what is evil, the evil remains, and the pleasure vanishes. What are we the worse for pains, or the better for pleasure, when both are past?

Virtue commands good men's respect, and all men's honour; and banishes every kind of defor. mity from the person in whom it resides.

Though a great man precede us by reason of his

dignity, we may go before him in the fection.

way of per

It is insolent, as well as unnatural, to trample upon the venerable decays of human nature. He that acts in this manner, does but expose his own future condition, and laugh at himself beforehand. Spectator.

The diseases of the body are better discovered when they increase; but the diseases of the soul grow more obscure; and the sickest are the least sensible. Seneca.

Human frailty is no excuse for criminal immorality.

Every man who commits a trespass, is the prisoner of justice, so soon as he hath done it. Plutarch.

As many as are the difficulties which virtue has to encounter in this world, her force is yet superior. Earl of Shaftsbury.

He that arms his intentions with virtue, is invincible.

As no body gave attention to Diogenes while he discoursed of virtue, he commenced singing; when all crowding to hear him, he cried out, "Great gods! how much more is folly admired than wisdom!"

Nothing is more ridiculous than to be serious about trifles, and to be trifling about serious mat

ters.