-- -gis S 4 2 The proper Improvement SE R M. in the proteaion of innocence, and for pro - XII. moting the caufe of truth and virtue. Know -. `ter"'' ledge, likewife, is capable of being greatly improved for the fervice of mankind ; and all our talents of this fort, which are difiri- buted promifcuoufly to men, though little in themfelves and with refpet to the main ends of our being, yet to the diligent and faithful fervant, who ufeth them well and wifely for the caufe of virtue, and under the direftion of its principles, they bring great re- turns of real and folid benefit, which (hall abide with him for ever. Thus it appeareth, that Divine Providence bath wifely ordered the circumftances of our condition in this world, in our infancy of be- ing, fo that by the proper exercife of our own faculties, and the induftrious improve- ment of the opportunies which are afforded us, we may be prepared for a better and hap- pier fiate hereafter. The true happinefs of man confifteth in feeing God, and being fa- tisfied with his likenefs ; the foundation of it is laid in our knowledge of good and evil, and the virtuous in(tinas and affections plant- ed in our nature ; But to attain the perfec- tion of it, we mutt pats through a prepara- tory difcipline, and to that purpofe our Rate here is adapted. There is a variety of gifts di-
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