in the Soul of Man. 8 I There n1ay he fome little difference be– twixt that which I am now purfuing, and that which I enjoyed before: but fure my former enjoyments did fhew as pleafant, and pro1nife as fair before I attained them. Like the rainbo'v, they looked very glo– rious at a diftance; but when I approach– ed I found nothing but emptinefs and va– pour. 0 what a poor thing would the life ofman be, if it were capable of no higher enj oymen ts ! I cannot infi.fl: on this fubjeet; and there is the lefs need, when I ren1en1ber to whon1 I atn writing. Yes, my dear friend, you have had as great experience of the empti– nefs and vanity of human things, and have at prefent as few worldly engagements as any that I know. I have fon1etimes ' re– flected on thofe palfages of your life where– with you have been pleafed to acquaint me: and methinks, through all, I can dif– cern a defi.gn of the divine providence to wean your affeCtions from every thing here below. The trials you have had of thofe things which the \vorld doats upon, have taught you to defpife them: and you have found, by experience, that neither the en– dowments of nature, nor the adv3ntages of fortune, are fufficient for happinefs; that every rofe bath its thorn, and there n1ay
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