aOODNESS OF THE DEITY. 34\ 



batioii, it is immaterial," says Rousseau, " what kind of 

 trials we experience in it, provided they produce their 

 effects." Of two agents who stand indifferent to the moral 

 Governor of the universe, one may be exercised by riches, 

 the other by poverty. The treatment of these two shall 

 appear to be very opposite, while in truth it is the same : 

 for though, in many respects, there be great disparity be- 

 tween the conditions assigned, in one main article there may 

 be none, namely, in that they are alike trials — have both 

 their duties and temptations, not less arduous or less dan- 

 gerous in one case than the other ; so that if the final award 

 follow the character, the original distribution of the circum- 

 stances under which that character is formed, may be de- 

 fended upon principles not only of justice, but of equality. 

 What hinders, therefore, but that mankind may draw lots 

 for their condition ? They take their portion of faculties 

 and opportunities, as any unknown cause or concourse of 

 causes, or as causes acting for other purposes, may happen 

 to set them out ; but the event is governed by that which 

 depends upon themselves — the application of what they have 

 received. In dividing the talents, no rule was observed — 

 none was necessary ; in rewarding the use of them, that of 

 the most correct justice. The chief diilerence at last appears 

 to be, that the right use of more talents, that is, of a greater 

 trust, will be more highly rewarded than the right use of 

 fewer talents, that is, of a less trust. And since, for other 

 purposes, it is expedient that there be an inequality of con- 

 credited talents here, as well probably as an inequality of 

 conditions hereafter, though all remuneratory ; can any rule 

 adapted to that inequality be more agreeable, even to oiu 

 apprehensions of distributive justice, than this is? 



We have said that the appearance of casuahy wliich 

 attends the occurrences and events of life, not only does not 

 interfere with its uses as a state of probation, but that it 

 promotes these uses. 



Passu'e virtues — of all virtues the severest and the most 



