178 DISSWASIVE againfl a carelefs LIFE, 
both fexes, be eager to grafp at fleeting pleafures ; but the wife 
will never forget that the foul is immortal, that man is ac- 
countable, and that god is just. Should I appear to you as 
an enthuflaft, who renounces all pretenflons to common fenfe, 
were I to expoflulate with the thoughtlefs multitude in fuch 
terms as thefe ? 
Oh ye fons of mammon, who idolize wealth, or ofler incenfe 
to ambition ! Ye children of idlenefs and diflipation ! And you, 
fair daughters of festivity, who triumph in levity, and 
boast of want of thought ! Foolifli mortals of every denomina- 
tion ! If you are not loft beyond the reach of hope, hearken to 
the voice of reason ; consider what you are doing, and what 
you leave undone ! Will things not be as they are, becaufe 
you do not think about them ? Or do you conclude that they 
will be as you wish, tho’ you hardly know, or are afhamed 
to own, what it is you wifh. 
“ Lay not thefe flattering unEiiojis to your fouls.ee 
Becaufe the things of a future ftate are evident almoft to de- 
monftration, will you make it a reafon for your not attending 
to them ? Becaufe you are fatisned that you know what is to 
be hereafter; at leaf! believe in a ftate of rewards and pu- 
nifhments, will you live as if you did not believe, or was entire- 
ly ignorant ? Consider that your abode is on the verge of eter- 
nity ; and that death is death, tho’ you die with laughter. — - 
Confess that you do not believe in a god ; or never beftow a 
moment’s thought, whether the foul is immortal, or not. Main- 
tain that geneca and socrates were fools, and st. peter and 
st. paul madmen ; or a6t consistent with your faith and 
5 hopes. 
