5 s On D E E A T H. 
but I hope for favor hereafter ; not from any confcioufnefs 
that I deferve it, but bccaufe I ftrive for it, and believe the 
mercy as well as juftice of cod, is infinite. I have no clearer 
idea of infinite mercy, joined to infinite juftice, than the good- 
nefs of the creator, as exercifed towards man, in the mod: im- 
portant inftance. I trull in that mercy and juflice through the 
merits of the redeemer of mankind. For the reft, who can 
anfwer for his own conftancy, or that he fhall always ad confi- 
dent with his own principles ? but we mull be watchful ; we 
muft endevor to do it : death only can fecure us !— -I am in- 
debted to you for an occafion of committing my thoughts to 
writing ; and, in my prefent mood, methinks I could write over 
my cell the lines of a french author, with as little felf-deceit, 
efpecially as I never had any confiderable connections with the 
great, which feems to be the chief fubjeCt of his complaint, 
“ Las d' e/per er y & de me plaindre , 
tc De T amour des grands , du forty 
u Cefl ici que f attens la mort , 
“ Sans la defrer ni la craindre .” 
I feel a generous pride and comfort, in the fuperiority which I 
enjoy, or, which I would perfuade myfelf, I enjoy, that is not 
, in the power of fortune to give, or take away ; tho’ alas 
thefe maybe more eafily diminished than increased, if the ac- 
cidents of life fhould happen to call forth the bafe inftead of the 
noble paftions. And ftnce it is beyond all difpute that life is very 
short and very uncertain, let us think it the higheft folly to 
ad as if it was long and certain. ’Tis now many years ftnce 
I read doctor sfierlock on (death : this is the book which ought 
to be read as the year goes round, by every one v/ho can read 
at all, if they mean to meet death as a friend : I cannot he 
more yours than by recommending it. Farewell. 
