L I F E NOT V A I N; 
decilion of this queftion, but very rarely, unlefs we take pains 
to aftift fuch deceit. 
Yet, alas, there is a great deal of vanity in the world ; more, 
I fear, than men, who pretend to wifdom, are aware of. If 
we make gods of the obje&s of our fancies or opinions, appe- 
tites or paftions, we render ourselves vain creatures, but not 
life ; unlefs by life we mean to confound the order of nature, 
as god has appointed, with the disorders of fancy and paftion, 
as men have introduced them : -let us be ingenuous : 
<{ See ! aj:d confefs , one comfort ft ill mu ft rife ; 
<£ 'Tis this , thd man s a fool, yet god is wise.” 
Not that we are fools, in a religious fenfe, from necessity : 
but if we idolize man or woman ; if we are captivated with 
the fplendor of life, or the amufements of it : whatever excess 
we fall into, it muft create juft caufe of complaint : even know- 
ledge or valor, which have a tendency to vice, or are not in 
themfelves beneficial to mankind, are vain : 
u JVho wickedly is wife , or madly brave , 
“ Is but the jnore a fool, the more a knave.” 
’Tis vain alfo to attempt more knowledge of any thing than ex- 
perience evinces we can compafs : 
“ To know in measure what the mind 
tc May well contain, oppreffes elfe with furfeit ; 
“ And foon turns wifdom to folly , 
<c As nourifhtnejit to wind." 
And 
