In treating of the knowledge of God, I have waved all merely metaphysical disquisition, and confined myself to that view of the subject which to us is most important. To know what God is in himself, or in his own absolute being and perfections, is beyond all human or angelic understanding; and he who thus curiously pries into his majesty is in danger to be overwhelmed with the glory*. To know what he is to us in the relation of a holy and righteous ruler, and gracious benefactor, is put within the reach of our discovery; and, to those who are brought to a proper sense of their moral situation, is a knowledge both cheering and salutary. And I have the rather insisted upon this topic, because it is usual with men, either to entertain ideas of divine goodness which are derogatory to perfect holiness and justice, or to exalt these latter attributes, taken in conjunction with absolute sovereignty, to the pre * Prov. xxv. 27. Scrutator majestatis, opprimetur gloriâ. So the Vulgate. judice of that mercy which is revealed in scripture, and is also not obscurely indicated in nature and providence; a proceeding which tends, in the one case, to inspire the mind with presumption, and in the other to sink it in despondence: and nothing can be of more importance than to guard equally against both these extremes. Upon every other topic, in the progress of the work, more regard has been had to use than to theory, to what is just and applicable to human conduct, than to researches that might seem profound or scientific; which the equitable reader, it is presumed, will neither ascribe to the writer's entire incapacity for such enquiries, nor to his want of liberal curiosity. Perhaps, like many others, he may in the former part of life have indulged sufficiently to mere speculation; but this, as years advanced, he has found less attractive, and has gradually been led to view things not so much in their abstract na ture, as in their moral and practical tendencies; and to induce the same disposition in others constitutes one principal end of the present work. Of its execution, indeed, he entertains, as is fit, a very moderate opinion; of its principles he has no such diffidence; nor can he hesitate to assert, that, were they generally admitted, the most important advantages would thence result both to public and private life; men would find out their proper place in the general system, and learn to conduct themselves in this world in a manner becoming the candidates for a better. The above prefatory remarks may be sufficient to shew the nature and scope of those which follow. The whole is now committed to the candour of the reader; but, above all, to that divine blessing, which can prosper the meanest endeavours, and without which the greatest and ablest must prove abortive. CONTENTS. PART I. REFLECTIONS ON KNOWLEDGE. SECT. I.-On the Knowledge of God; parti- PAGE 1..38 SECT. II.-On the Knowledge of Ourselves. 39.86 87.115 PART II. REFLECTIONS ON VIRTUE. SECT.I.-In which it is considered how far Re- tirement is favourable to Virtue, from its Ten- dency to weaken the Impression of the World 117..131 SECT. H. Containing some Observations on those Means which tend, by a more direct and positive Influence, to the Promotion of PAGE 132..207 208..237 PART III. REFLECTIONS ON HAPPINESS. SECT. I. On the Happiness arising from the Diversions, and Scenery, of a Country Life 239..258 SECT. III. The Pleasures of a devotional Re- tirement considered 259..285 *.. 286..303 PART IV. IN WHICH A COMMON OBJECTION AGAINST A LIFE OF MINISHES USEFULNESS, DERED. IS PARTICULARLY CONSI- SECT. I.-Containing some Remarks on the Uti- lity arifing from Public Station 395.323 |