( 14* ) 
felf ; it will confequently banifh all propen- 
fity to ill temper, and render him a pleafant 
companion to all his acquaintance. I never 
meet with a peevifh, iH-tempered fellow, 
without fufpecting that all is not right with- 
in. I cannot help fuppofing that he has 
reafon to be diflatisfied with himfelf; be- 
caufe a long acquaintance with human na- 
ture, in various climates and fituations, hath 
convinced me, that chearfulnefs and good 
temper are the natural produce of inno- 
cence. 
But thefe falutary effects of early devotion 
necefTarily fuppofe a mind fufceptible of re- 
flection; a mind capable of perceiving the 
hourly dependence of the creature on its 
Creator; a mind naturally difpofed to be- 
lieve the truth of the Chriftian religion on 
the credit of the wifeft men that ever exift- 
ed in any age or country. Locke and New- 
ton were both zealous Chriftians. With 
regard to their (incerity there is not a loop to 
hang a doubt on, and furely no human beings 
were ever better qualified to feparate truth 
from falfehood. 
I do not mean to inlinuate, that, in the 
important article of Religion, it were wife 
finally to reft your faith on the opinions of 
other 
