is fome truth in this objection, which I am perfuaded you are all very forry for. However, I hope you have fagacity enough to render it of no force, no confideration. The rule which I fhall give you is only this; take particular care never to be discover'd: For to confefs the truth, it is not a defirable thing to be hang'd, neither is it quite prudent to lofe one's character. Thirdly, it may perhaps be urg'd against the pleafures of Luxury and Concupifcence, that they expofe a man to many inconveniencies, fuch as the lofs of time, health, fortune, character, and fome few more fuch trifles as thefe. I am afraid we must also allow that there is fome weight in this objection. But what then? the man that has not spirit enough to facrifice thefe trifling confiderations to the fublime pleafures of eating, drinking, and whoring, is undeferving of them. What are the pains of a fever or a furfeit, or what the lofs of health, ftrength, and appetite, in comparrifon with the voluptuous pleasures of a table, or the fprightly joys of midnight bowls? Is the lofs of a nofe to be brought in competition with the dear delights that occafion'd it? The wretch who can be fo ungrateful to think fo, is unworthy to wear the honourable fear. In fine, it may perhaps be objected against all manner of Vices in general, that they are the conant parents of anxiety, care, repentance and mifery; and that Virtue on the contray is forever at tended tended with health, peace, and pleasure. The contraft is ftrong, my beloved, it must be confefs'd; but whether it is just or not, I am perfuaded none of you know. What then fhall I advife? or how fhall I direct you? Suppofe for once you fhould try, and enter on a course of Virtue: It cannot be more difagreeable than a courfe of phyfick, perhaps not fo much fo; and then, to use the doctor's phrafe, it is perfectly fafe, and cannot poffibly do you any harm. At first indeed, as you are quite ftrangers to the relish of it, it may feem fomething nauseous and unpalatable; but if you once get over the difficulty of the first trial, who knows, thro' custom, how agreeable it may become? Should it operate kindly, you will be as a man whose appetite thro' a long courfe of ficknefs has been fo viciated as to nauseate every thing which would nourish and support him; and how delightful must be his furprize to find, upon his recovery, every thing that is good and wholfome, agreeable to his palate, and the establishment of his health following the rectitude of his appetite! If this should be your condition, who knows but you may live to be enamour'd of VIRTUE, to court her beauteous form, and cry out with the wife man in my text, Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. THE |