394 Walking by Faith, not by Sight, SE R M. the fervice of this animal life and its inte- XV. refis ? And how deplorable is the condition `^ of the human heart, when its belt affections, capable of yielding the nobleft enjoyment, are altogether uncultivated and unexercifed ? How unworthy of an immortal fpirit are the views of the men who walk by fight ? the men whofe profpects do not reach be- yond the limits of this fhort and uncertain life ? One would think a regard to the dig- nity of our nature, and the rank it holdeth in the creation, fhould raife a refentment againft filch difhonour done to it. Hath God allied us to the world of fpirits, and made us capable of contemplating the no- bleft objects, even himfelf, and of being like him, which the fcripture calls partak- ing of a divine nature ; and fhall we chufe to confine our views to this earth, and to have our portion in it ? Let us at leal wifely confider where our true intereft lieth, and what is the courfe of life in which we may expeéì the greateft happinefs. It is impof- fible, if we would, to extinguish the powers of reafon and confcience altogether; if we do not fuffer them to reign, they will at leal reproach us for the indignity done them, fo feverely, as to pall the pleafures of life, and make us feel the mac bitter and 2 inward
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=