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purpose. And temperance would not be a virtue, if the benefit it does us by preserving us from diftempers, were repugnant to the defigns of GOD in our old age.

IN fhort, if all religious people were strictly temperate and holy, how beautiful, how glorious a fcene fhould we then behold! Such numbers of venerable old men as would create surprise. How many wife and holy teachers to edify the people by their wholesome preaching and good examples! How many finners might receive benefit by their fervent interceffions! How many bleffings might they fhower upon the earth! and not as now, eating and drinking fo intemperately, as to inflame the blood and excite worldly paffions, pride, ambition, and concupifcence, foiling the purity of their minds, checking their growth in holinefs, and in fome unguarded moment, betraying

them

them into fins difgraceful to religion, and ruinous to their peace for life.Would they but feed temperately, and that chiefly on vegetable food, they would as I do, foon find it the most agreeable, (by the cool temperate humours it affords) the best friend to virtuous improvement, begetting gentle manners, mild affections, purity of thought, heavenly mindednefs, quick relish of virtue, and delight in GOD. This was the life led by the holy fathers of old, who fubfifted entirely on vegetables, drinking nothing but pure water, and yet lived to an extreme old age, in good health and fpirits, and always happy within themselves. And fo may all in our days live, provided they would but mortify the lufts of a corruptible body, and devote themfelves entirely to the exalted service of GOD; for this is indeed the privilege of every

faithful christian as Jefus Christ left it, when

when he came down upon earth to shed his precious blood, in order to deliver us from the tyrannical fervitude of the devil; and all through his immense goodness.

To conclude, fince length of days abounds with so many bleffings, and I am fo happy as to have arrived at that ftate, I find myself bound (in charity) to give teftimony in favour of it, and folemnly affure all mankind, that I really enjoy a great deal more than what I now mention; and that I have no other motive in writing on this fubject, than to engage them to practise, all their lives, thofe excellent virtues of temperance and fobriety, which will bring them, like me, to a happy old age. And therefore I never ceafe to raise my voice, crying out to you, my friends, may your days be many, that you may long ferve GOD, and be fitter for the glory which he prepares for his children! APPEN

APPENDIX.

GOLDEN RULES

O F

HEALTH,

SELECTED FROM HIPPOCRATES, PLU

TARCH, AND SEVERAL OTHER
EMINENT PHYSICIANS AND
PHILOSOPHERS.

OF

F all the people on the face of the earth, the Americans are under the greatest obligations to live temperatly. Formed for commerce, our country abounds with bays, rivers and creeks, the exhalations from which, give the air a dampness unfriendly to the fprings of life. To counteract this infelicity of cli

mate,

mate, reason teaches us to adopt every measure that may give tone and vigor to the conftitution. This precaution, at all times neceflary, is peculiarly fo in autumn, for then the body is relaxed by the intense heat of the dog-days, the air is filled with noxious vapours from putrid vegetables; Nature herfelf wears a fickly, drooping afpect; the most robuft feel a disagreeable weariness and foreness of their flesh, a heaviness and fluggishness in motion, quick feverish flushings, and fudden chills darting along their nerves, (all plain proofs of a fickly atmosphere, and tottering health). Now, if ever, we need the aid of allinvigorating temperance, now keep the stomach light and vigorous by moderate feeding, the veins well stored with healthy blood, and the nerves full braced by manly exercise and comely chearfulness. Be choice of your diet, fruit perfectly ripe, vegetables thoroughly done, and meats

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