tion, and there terminates all human Felicity."-Thy Fellow-commoners of the Stall may be of the same opinion. My Ambition is, not to sink-but, to soar. I: deny not, however, that these organic Powers have their respective delights; and that, in a corrected and innocent degree, they may be considered as so many secondary Sources of Pleasure. But, to argue with a person, who would degrade himself so far beneath a Rational, as to contend, that we were born for no higher enjoyments. than these, would be, to argue with determined Infatuation, pitiable Derangement, or loathsome Brutality *.

I admit too, that the Imagination is capable of forming to itself a thousand additional Pleasures of a higher kind

*The genuine Happiness of our being must be something, that is not incompatible with, or destructive of, its nature-or of the superior and better part ofit. Εν παντί δε μαλιςα φυλακτεον το ηδυ, και την ηδονην· κ γαρ αδέκατοι κρινομεν

αυτήν.

"In every thing, we should take great care, as

to the pleasure of it; for, we are very apt to have our judgment corrupted by pleasure."

resulting from an acquired artificial Taste, the fine Arts, together with many other, though needless, yet fascinating Elegancies, and Delicacies, of polished Life.

To these again, we may add the pure and elevated Pleasures, which flow from acquisitions of Science; from cultivating all the amiable and benevolent Affections; and from the many nameless charms of social Intercourse, and domestic Endear

ment.

Prepared, however, as I am, to acknowledge, and to celebrate, in their just proportion, all these Sources of terrestrial Satisfaction--I have long excluded from my own mind every other idea of supreme Happiness, but that, of Reason, Philosophy, Virtue, and Morals, rectified, sublimed, and perfected, by

*

DIVINE REVELATION*.

Happiness, I would be understood to intimate, should be a term, consecrated entirely to these pursuits, according

As to the reference, which I suppose these things to bear to each other—that, I have attempted to state, with the utmost perspicuity, to general Inspection, in the succeedent leaves. In the examination of which, but a single Favour is fervently requested of the unprejudiced Reader; that he will place before him the sacred Volume, to which they constantly appeal

to the Definitions already and hereafter submitted; and not applied to every trivial and fleeting circumstance of gratification. Mankind should be instructed, I humbly conceive, to treat it in this serious and important light., To be pleased, is one thing; to be happy, is another. But, there no necessary connexion between Pleasure and Happiness. The eager pursuit of the former is, in more than ten thousand instances, the total destruction of the latter: nor are any terms cither more, or more fatally, perverted and abused than these. If, among the numerous advantages to be derived from a divine Revelation, it does not expose every imaginary and delusive scheme of happiness, and point out to us in the fullest manner the only true sources of pleasure, it would scarce deserve our attention, much less our gratitude: but, Sacred Science, evangelical Goodness, and solid Bliss, are as inseparably connected by the Constitution of Heaven, as Faith, Hope, and Charity, are, in the Christian Character.

and then determine for himself, regardless of all human Authorities, whether or no these are “The true sayings of God."

Though I disclaim all partiality for any human opinions, I do not profess that Independency of Principle, which, I perceive, is becoming a fashionable term of disguise, for Sentiments, against which we should be continually guarded. Historic evidence has warned us of their tendency, in characters, too large, and too legible, for every thing but wilful blindness. They are calculated only to subvert the noblest culture of the human Mind. I avow, therefore, my unreserved attachment to what I conceive to be "The Oracles of God *."

* In the following remarks, I quote the language of a Philosopher, whose fine sense, solid understanding, and amiable mind, have been acknowledged by all parties, however differing in opinion

"The Evidence for the Christian Religion seems to be so clear and strong, that no person, who is previously qualified by Benevolence, Piety, and the moral Sense, can refuse his assent to it. But, if the Christian Religion

As to the Motives, by which I have been incited in this Publication, if they be not the most pure, and disinterested-if I have not been governed by the Spirit of the divine Law, the sublime impulse of universal Benevolence-I am perfectly deceived in the operations of my own Heart; and that too, in a Retreat of solitude and silence, where I have had the greatest opportunities of knowing them. If the

be true, it must be of great Importance; and, if of great importance, it is a duty of natural Religion to inquire into it. He, who determines it as of no importance, determines, at once, that it is false. But, it is too evident to all impartial observers, that those, who disbelieve, or affect to disbelieve, have not made a serious accurate inquiry; such a one, as they would make about a worldly concern of moment; but content themselves, and endeavour to perplex others, with general objections, mixed, for the most part, with ridicule, and raillery;things, that are manifest hinderances in the search after Truth: and, it may be of some use, to observe, that, notwithstanding the great prevalence of Infidelity in the present times, it is seldom found to consist with an accurate knowledge of History, sacred and profane, and never with an exalted piety and devotion to God. Should any Unochever think this censure too severe, let him examine his own Heart."

HARTLEY.