312 Walking with Wife Men, S ER M. reafonable to forego what they think the XII. fubftantial, that is, the fenfual enjoyments f life ; and that a vicious is more eligible than a religious courfe. How many are there who have at firft fome good fenti- ments, and feeble virtuous inclinations, who ftartle at ill actions, and are afraid to venture upon them, and yet by feeing the wicked praäices of others, which by degrees be- come familiar to them, they overcome their fears, and at laft get an impious courage to commit the greateft iniquities ? Thus it is that milled finners haften to their ruin, and being the companions of fools are djlroyed. fhall now, in conclufion, make fome praétical refleEtions on what hath been faid. And, fire, we may obferve that wife, that is, virtuous and good men, are a great blef fing to the world, though they are frequently defpifed in it ; their condition often expo- feth them to neglect and contempt, becaufe they are poor ; thus Solomon obferveth, Eccl ix. 16. The poor man's wifdom is defpifed, and his words are not heard; their virtue it- felf is hated by the ungodly, becaufe it gall- eth them by condemning their own follies ; and yet really they are the moft ufeful to mankind. It is on their account provi- dence regardeth the places where they live, over-
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