t 4 8 R E WARDS and PXJN1S H M ENTS. 
But if the foul preferves its confcioufuefs after death ; if the 
penitent thief was to enter upon a Bate of pleasure ; the 
impenitent one, we may prefume, would enter upon a Rate of 
pain. The cafe might be lingular as to the forgivenefs of 
fins, upon the fuppofed late repentance ; but we cannot ima- 
gine it was fo, as to the promife of immediate blifs in a future 
Rate. 
As a further reafon for this opinion, concerning pleafure or 
pain, immediately after'death, we may conlider the pleasure 
which generally attends good actions, and good thoughts • and 
the pain we fuffer from the contrary, in our present Rate, 
immediately after the commiRion. Upon this principle it is 
almoR demonRrable, that we may carry heaven or hell with us, 
in our own breaR, into the regions of departed fouls. As this 
notion feems to add weight to the motives which roufe us to a-, 
fenfe of virtue, let us adopt the belief of it ; remembering, that 
the precepts of our religion forbid us to perplex ourfelves about 
unneceflary knowledge. — We are commanded to proceed on. 
our way with comfort and hope : 
C£ Hope hutnbly then , with trembling pinions foar , 
“ Wait the great teacher death, and god adore \ 
“ What future blifs, he gives not thee to know , 
a But gives that hope to be thy comfort now . 
May your hope find its objedt in the blifs of happy Ipirits ! 
Adieu. lam yours, 
LET- 
