294. The Path of the 710, S F x M. propagating religion in the world, as the XII. examples of good men ; and indeed they `°`) have a plain natural tendency to this purpofe, not only by giving a jufi notion of that ex- cellent pralical fcience or difcipline, which is better underftood, and makes a ftronger impreffion when it is reprefented in life and action, than by any defcription or abftrad reafoning ; but farther, they Phew that re- ligious virtue, as fublime as it is, yet is not fo far raifed above the condition of frail humanity, as to be quite impra iicable in our prefent Efate. When we hear of hardy temperance, of humble and fervent devo- tion, of inflexible juftice, and laborious cha- rity, we are apt to think thefe are beautiful ideas indeed, but they go little farther than the imagination, they do not enter into the heart, nor animate our refolutions; but when we fee the fame virtues actually pradis'd by men of like paffions with ourfelves, and who are liable to the fame temptations, the light ftrikes us with greater force, and infpires with a defire of imitation. Some rare in- [lances there were of eminent virtue in the heathen world, who caft a fmall glimmering light into that region of darknefs, at leaft, if they made very few converts, they ob- tained
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