L I F E not V A I N, 133 
fond, are not to be reje&ed, becaufe they divert the fancy, and 
give us pleafure : on the contrary, they may, on this account, 
be allowed to have fome degree of utility : ’tis the immoderate 
love of pleasure which is dangerous. When we forget the 
true end and meaning of thefe amufements ; when we make 
them our business or chief employment, and contract a dif- 
relifh to fober and effential duties, our lives are vain ; or, to 
exprefs this thought in clearer words, we are criminal. But 
fuch amufements as are either indifferent in their nature, or 
fuited to our gayer thoughts, without corrupting the heart, 
or deceiving the understanding, if ufed in moderation, are 
dedrable things. Always remember this great leffon, 
“ Pleafure , or true , or falfely under floods 
i( Our great eft evil) or our great eft good 
We may boldly pronounce that that life bids faired to become 
a life of pleasure, which is mod a life of virtue. To have 
god, and the welfare of mankind, in all our thoughts, mud 
till the foul with joy : “ The fear of the lord maketh a merry 
“ heart, and giveth joy, and gladnefs, and a long life.” ’Tis 
this fear which leads us to honor and obey the great parent of 
mankind : it leads us to fuch an exercife both of the head and 
heart, as will render it the vainest thing of all, to complain 
that life is nothing but vanity ! We need but afk ourfelves, 
whether our purfuits contribute to the honor of god, and con- 
sequently to the good of fociety ; or whether they have a con- 
trary tendency ? Our hearts may sometimes deceive us in the 
decifion 
