PROLEGOMENA. Ixxxi. 



vitable, is it not worth while to make the greatest 

 sacrifices possible of enjoyment belonging to the 

 flesh, and of cultivating the exercises of the 

 spirit, in order that, by avoiding the sins with 

 which carnal pleasures are so closely allied, we 

 may lessen the period of purgatory, or escape 

 damnation altogether, and may ensure an ever- 

 lastins: inheritance in Paradise ? For the end of 

 man, now bound in the flesh, is the beginning of 

 union with God, who has no end. As matter of 

 faith, confirmed by authority, and agreeable to 

 reason, most persons would be willing to admit 

 the truth of the above ; but so great is the power 

 of present objects, that in order to feel it so effect- 

 ually as to make it a ruling principle of action, 

 we should medit-ate further on some of the prin- 

 cipal points connected with this great mystery of 

 human life. We must iu these exercises use the 

 powers of the imagination so as to represent 

 future events as present to our senses, in order to 

 feel and acknowledge their force, since they will 

 one day be present. For all knowledge of the 

 future is virtually a present prototype of its 

 nature. 



Meditation on Death. — In order to me- 

 ditate X)n death with profit, it is not merely 

 necessary to reflect that we are to die, and pray 

 for God's assistance at the time, and a life of 

 preparation beforehand : for even good resolutions 



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