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Reflections On The Commencement Of The Year M,Dcc,Xcviii.
there but pain and remorse ? Neither temptations nor sensual enjoyments are known in the state whither we are hastening ; what , therefore , will be their condition , who are unfitted by previous habits for a rational felicity ? That world is a world of spirits , consequently their delig hts are of a nature totally different from the delights which are commonly valued and pursued by the children of mortality . _ It will then , follow as a natural conclusion , that it is only by habituating of
ourselves to similar enjoyments here , by the due improvement our rational powers , and by a careful and active opposition to base born aiFections and indulgences , we can render ourselves meet for an association with those pure and exalted beings . Every temptation resisted , and every opportunity of doing good improved ; every resolution strengthened by performance , and every grace attained and cultivated with diligence , raises us to a nearer relation to ^ the sp iritual link in the great chain of being above us , and fits us for a more distinguished situation in the world wherein it peculiarly exists .
But does not another consideration spring from this very instructive and pleasing one ? Does not every vicious indulgence , every mean and unworthy gratification , every sordid principle , and every violation of duty , sink us again in an exa , ct proportion below the dignity of our nature ? And will not such a course produce the effect of degradino- us to a situation , in which reflection will only serve to add a keener ed to the misery of remorse ? . Man rises or falls by the exercise
ge or perversion of the talent which his Creator has committed to his trust and-management , Let dark infidelity murmur at the position , yet reason , when left to its own exercise , will see that it stands on the principles of immutable justice , and even the gloomy tears of the vicious will prove its truth . The closing of an old year then should be like the closing period
of our existence in the present world of imperfection and trouble . At that awful season it will be natural , and certainly it will be expedient , for us to be serious in examining what we have done , and what we have omitted that ought to have been performed , to the intent that our little remaining ability may make up , and our sincere penitence atone for that wherein our consciences accuse us . The time that
has past should suffice for trifling and for folly . What lies before us , uncertain as it is , should be distinguished by actions and considerations that bespeak us to be possessors of rational minds , and candidates for a region of higher pursuits and enjoyments . -. The present is peculiarly a season that calls for serious contemplation and vigorous resolution . The clouds that impend over this part of the world are deep and heavy : they , appear to be charged with no
ordinary matter of vengeance ; and it is not fanatical to express a fear that this island is destined to receive no small portion of its baneful contents . Our prosperity as a nation hath been great , the blessings we have enjoyed surpass those of the most favoured people of ancient or modern times—but let us takes shame to ourselves in confessing , that our infidelity and licentiousness have been our greatest returns . —
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reflections On The Commencement Of The Year M,Dcc,Xcviii.
there but pain and remorse ? Neither temptations nor sensual enjoyments are known in the state whither we are hastening ; what , therefore , will be their condition , who are unfitted by previous habits for a rational felicity ? That world is a world of spirits , consequently their delig hts are of a nature totally different from the delights which are commonly valued and pursued by the children of mortality . _ It will then , follow as a natural conclusion , that it is only by habituating of
ourselves to similar enjoyments here , by the due improvement our rational powers , and by a careful and active opposition to base born aiFections and indulgences , we can render ourselves meet for an association with those pure and exalted beings . Every temptation resisted , and every opportunity of doing good improved ; every resolution strengthened by performance , and every grace attained and cultivated with diligence , raises us to a nearer relation to ^ the sp iritual link in the great chain of being above us , and fits us for a more distinguished situation in the world wherein it peculiarly exists .
But does not another consideration spring from this very instructive and pleasing one ? Does not every vicious indulgence , every mean and unworthy gratification , every sordid principle , and every violation of duty , sink us again in an exa , ct proportion below the dignity of our nature ? And will not such a course produce the effect of degradino- us to a situation , in which reflection will only serve to add a keener ed to the misery of remorse ? . Man rises or falls by the exercise
ge or perversion of the talent which his Creator has committed to his trust and-management , Let dark infidelity murmur at the position , yet reason , when left to its own exercise , will see that it stands on the principles of immutable justice , and even the gloomy tears of the vicious will prove its truth . The closing of an old year then should be like the closing period
of our existence in the present world of imperfection and trouble . At that awful season it will be natural , and certainly it will be expedient , for us to be serious in examining what we have done , and what we have omitted that ought to have been performed , to the intent that our little remaining ability may make up , and our sincere penitence atone for that wherein our consciences accuse us . The time that
has past should suffice for trifling and for folly . What lies before us , uncertain as it is , should be distinguished by actions and considerations that bespeak us to be possessors of rational minds , and candidates for a region of higher pursuits and enjoyments . -. The present is peculiarly a season that calls for serious contemplation and vigorous resolution . The clouds that impend over this part of the world are deep and heavy : they , appear to be charged with no
ordinary matter of vengeance ; and it is not fanatical to express a fear that this island is destined to receive no small portion of its baneful contents . Our prosperity as a nation hath been great , the blessings we have enjoyed surpass those of the most favoured people of ancient or modern times—but let us takes shame to ourselves in confessing , that our infidelity and licentiousness have been our greatest returns . —