Of a Confcience void of Offence. 15 5 curs of greater moment, and yet more ob- S E R m. vioufly, than our own moral characters, our VII. tempers, our works ; which are accompa- nied with the higheft pleafure in our appro- bation, or the molt painful felf- reproach. It is true the principle of felf-love deeply _rooted in our nature, makes us always fen - fible to our own interefts ; fo that a confci- oufnefs of having wifely promoted it, gives pleafure. As on the other hand, it is galling to confider, that we have been want- ing to ourfelves, and imprudently taken the meafures which tend to obftruct our own happinefs. But, moral confcience is of a peculiar kind ; and, abftracting from the natural good and evil, or pleafure and pain to ourfelves, which muff follow, the firft and fimpleft reflection on our having done right or wrong, immediately gives joy or remorfe. Perhaps there is not a rational being, to whom fome charalers and works do not appear at firft fight to have an infeparable turpitude; and a confcioufnefs of them is horridly offen- five : As the oppofite difpofitions and works are neceffarily judged amiable. The painful fenfe of evil done is accom- panied with fear, becaufe of apprehended ill deferving, which the mind is imme- diately F ,
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