The Evil and Folly of Covefoufnefs. 307 arife ? Evidently from obfervation and ex- S a R M< perience. When we grow up in the know- XI. ledge of the world, perceiving a great diver- fity in the conditions of men, fome by hard labour, and with much difficulty, earning the neceffaries of life, or in a Rate of fervile de- pendance on their fuperiors ; others living in an elegant manner, with badges of diftindion about them, and plenty of all things, where- by the fenfes and the fancy are gratified, and an ability of relieving and obliging multitudes by kind offices ; the fplendor and external advantages of this latter Rate, ftrike our minds very ftrongly, and we eafily run into the com- mon prevailing opinion, that if it is not effen- tial, it maketh at leaft a very great addition to the happinefs of life. But when we examine it more clofely, we (hall fee, that fuch profperity, whatever glaring appear- ance it maketh, is not happinefs ; nor can certainly communicate it Suppofe a man in the greateft pomp, adorned with all the marks of grandeur and wealth, in any im- mediate diftrefs or danger, under a fentence of condemnation, an incurable diftemper of body, or intolerable anguifh of mind pro - ceeding from other caufes, would all his large poffefìions afford him any relief or confola- tion ? No furely. How then doth happinefs X 2 confift
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