[ 7og ] 
if I remember right, to convince them of the Folly 
of Atheifm. 
A certain Hermit, who had fequefter’d himfclf 
from the Hurry and Buftnefs of the World, and 
lived a retired and abftemious Life, was met one 
Day by two Cardinals, in all the Grandeur and pom- 
pous Shew of a glittering Equipage: They accofted 
the poor Man after this or the like manner: ‘ Father, 
1 why fhould you emaciate your Body, by denying 
‘ yourfelf thofe Refrefhilients that others enjoy, and 
* relifh fo fweetly ? And why fhould you abandon the 
‘ Splendor of a Court, or bid adieu to the Pleafures 
* that fo plentifully furround us? If there fhould be 
4 neither a God, nor a Future State, to reward you 
‘ for thefe Severities, how can you avoid the im- 
4 puration of Folly and Dotage, in thus defpifing 
4 prefent Satisfactions for an imaginary Nothing?’ 
To which the honeft Hermit immediately reply’d, 
4 But, Sirs, fuppofe there fhould be a God, and a Fi> 
4 ture State, to punifh you, will not the Imputation 
4 of Folly return upon your own Heads, for running 
4 that defperate Rifque of being miferable to Eter- 
* nity, for Baking down your Thoughts to this pre- 
4 fent World, and valuing nothing but the empty 
4 and Ihort-liv’d Pleafures that you are now glcry- 
* ing in?’ Which Anfwcr carry 'd fuch a plain 
Conviction with it, that the Cardinals turn’d from 
him forrowful and dejeCtcd. 
L. 
