of Temporal Pofjions. 347 all the other differences of our outward Rate. SE R tvt, And as we are not fecure of continuing in XII. poffefiïon of thefe things, for which reafon 'P"J they are not our own or belonging to our - felves, feeing what is fo cannot be feparated from us ; fo the remembrance of them when part can give us no pleafure: What fatisfac- tion hath the mind on refleìing on former external enjoyments ? The remembrance of having abufed them is bitter ; the remem- brance of having poffeffed them is but joy-. Ids and infipid, Nay, if they remain with us, what comfort can they afford the mind in its greateft need ? Efpecially when we Rand upon the verge of life, and awful eter- nity lieth before us. How little pretence, then, have thefe things to be called our own ? How little worthy of our earneft defires and. cares ? But on the contrary, a Rate of religious virtue, which it is the intention of chriftianity to bring us to, and which is the immediate effect of improving our talents diligently and faithfully, that kingdom of God which is righteoufnefs, and peace, and joy in the Holy Gbgl; this is of a quite different kind, it entereth into our very (elves, and clofely ad- hereth to us; it improveth our nature, re- fineth and enlargeth its nobleft powers ; it is fo
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