wealth enrich us, if we are happy in his poffeffing and ufing it? Does not his preferment advance us, if our spirit rifes with it into a cordial complacency? Does not his pleasure delight us, if we are pleased with his enjoyment of it? Does not his profperity blefs us, if our hearts exult and triumph in it? This is the true Philofopher's ftone, the divine magic of love which conveys all things into our hands, giving us a poffeffion and use in them of which nothing can deprive us.

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By virtue of this, (as Paul juftly obferves) Being forrowful we yet always "rejoice; having nothing we yet poffefs all things.". "Neither is this property in our neighbour's goods merely imaginary, but real and substantial; indeed, for more real to the true lover of men, than it is generally to the legal owners of them. For how is property in things otherwise to be confidered than by the fatisfaction

fatisfaction which they yield to the prefumed owner? And if the benevolent man find this fatisfaction in them, and in a high degree, why are they not truly his? May not the tree with fome degree of propriety be called yours if you can pluck and enjoy its fruits at pleafure? Nay, does not the propriety more truly belong to you, if you equally enjoy the benefit, without partaking the trouble and expence which fall on the real owner? A loving man therefore can never be poor or miserable, except all the world fhould come to want and diftrefs, for while his neighbour has any thing, he will enjoy it" rejoicing with "thofe who rejoice."

BUT love not only advances us to the highest pitch of happiness attainable in this life, but, like a true friend, it will accompany us into heaven, and there complete our felicity, by exalting

us

us to the fociety of "angels and Spirits of just men made perfect."

AMONG all the nations of the earth, the pleafing perfuafion has prevailed, that the fouls of good men fhall pafs away after death into brighter climes than thefe, where affembled in the sweeteft fociety, they fhall enjoy pleasures which were never permitted them to tate in this vale of tears.

THIS ftrongest and dearest sentiment of nature, is confirmed by revelation, which affures us, that heaven, the city of the eternal King, is inhabited by a great multitude, which no man can number, composed of all the wife and good that ever existed in the universe of God; and who, now separated from every infirmity, dwell together in the deareft amity and peace.

DESIREABLE indeed muft an access to fuch a fociety appear to us, who dwell in these abodes of frail humanity, whose

whofe paffions are fo much at variance with our repofe! This man wounds us by a mortifying neglect, that infults us with fcorn and contempt. A third cruelly envies our felicity. A fourth inhumanly flanders our good name. And a fifth goes to law with us for our eftate. While thofe few who love us, often add to our uneafinefs by their follies or vices. Who would not leave fuch a wretched fociety as this, and gladly go to mingle with those blessed friends, who can no more be miferable themselves, nor render us fo? Where every countenance will fhine upon us with fmiles of undiffembled affection; and every eye will beam unutterable love? Where mighty angels will be as endearingly attentive to us, as fondest bretheren; while heavenly fages will pour forth the treasures of their wisdom tò entertain us, though the feeblest of faints?

BUT, alas! is it for us whose hearts are defiled, and who drink in iniquity like water, to be numbered with these children of God, and to have our lot among fuch faints? Yes it is. For though the precious gold of Ophir could not purchafe fuch high honors for us; and though rocks of proffered diamonds would not be received in exchange; yet there is a power, a fecret charm, that can open for us the everlasting doors, and admit us into thofe courts of glory. That charm is Love, which, by exercising every odious paffion, and adorning us with its own celeftial graces, will fecure our welcome, and render us dear to every faint in paradise. And were it not for love, which thus refines our nature, and transforms us into angels of light, never could we mingle in the fociety of those heavenly lovers.

* BIRDS