GOODNESS OF THE DEITY. 343 



of ajjpareiit chance. It may be in pursuance, thereibre, and 

 in furtherance of the same scheme of probation, that the 

 evils of life are made so to present themselves. 



I have already observed, that when we let in religious 

 considerations, we often let in light upon the difficulties of 

 nature. So, in the fact now to be accounted for, the degree 

 of happiness which we usually enjoy in this life may be bet- 

 ter suited to a state of trial and probation than a greater 

 degree would be. The truth is, we are rather too much de- 

 lighted with the world than too little. Imperfect, broken, 

 and precarious as our pleasures are, they are more than 

 sufficient to attach us to the eager pursuit of them. A re- 

 gard to a future state can hardly keep its place as it is. If 

 we were designed therefore to be influenced by that regard, 

 might not a more indulgent system, a higher or more unin- 

 terrupted state of gratification, have interfered v/ith the de- 

 sign ? At least, it seems expedient that mankind should be 

 susceptible of this influence, when presented to them ; that 

 the condition of the w^orld should not be such as to exclude 

 its operation, or even to weaken it more than it does. In a 

 religious view, however we may complain of them in every 

 other, privation, disappointment, and satiety are not without 

 the most salutary tendencies. 



