THE BORDERERS. 271 with what you will gain, and you will be ashamed of your miscalculation ; you will think the sacrifice as small as the objects sacrificed were worthless ; for Christianity, though a self-denying prin- ciple, yet denies you nothingwhich, even now, adds to your real happiness. It onlydisenchants you from an illusion, and gives you substantial peace in exchange. It will rob you of nothing which good sense and sound reason do not condemn, as well as the New Testament. Perhaps you have just religion enough to render you occasionallyuneasy. The struggle between the claims of the world and your casual convictions, is far from being a happy state. The flattery which delights, misleads ; the diversions which amuse will not console ; the prospect which promises, disappoints. Continue not, then, " working in the fire for very vanity." Labour not to reconcile two interests, which, spite ofyour endeavours, will ever remain irreconcileable. " The N4
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