236 Spiritual Per fecciion. to all Men. The likenefs of kind pre- vents mifchief between the moft fierce andhurtful Creatures: We never heard that Lyonsdevour Lyons, or Vipers bite Vipers, andunlefs we addBeneficence to Innocence, we are but in the rank of Brutes. The Love of good Will is ex- prefs'd by promoting their Good, and preventing Evils ; by rejoycing in their Profperity, and relieving them in their Affliaions. This Love is more radicated in the breath of Men, by confidering the con- dition of Nature wherein they are equal ; whether the original happy 'late of their Creation , or their miferable wretched 'late fine their Fall. Similitude, either in Happinefs or Mifery , unites Mens Affe&ions. How low and defpicable fo great a part of Mankind is at prefent, yet the remembrance that all Men were equal in their firft honourable and happy Condition, Inhabitants of Paradife, and by deputation Lords of the World, will raife our efleem, and e be an incentive of kind Affeaions to them : And fnce the Fall, the calamitous Condition of Man- kind is a proper motive of mutual affi- fiance to one another : Society in Mife- ries endears the Sufferers, and produces a tender fympathy between them. None are fo merciful as thofe who byExperi- nce:
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