1632

They who doubt the blessings of religion because they find no Christian
who is perfect, might as well deny the existence of the sun because it
is not always noonday.

--_Marchioness de Spadara._

1633

Religion is good for nothing one day in the week, unless it is also good
for all the seven days.

1634

Religion is the knowledge of the most excellent truths; the
contemplation of the most glorious objects, and the hope of the most
ravishing pleasures, and the practice of such duties as are most
servicable to our happiness, our peace, our health, our honor, our
prosperity, and our eternal welfare. Virtue needs no outward pomp; her
very countenance is so full of majesty, that the proudest pay her
respect, and the profanest are awed by her presence.

1635

It is rare to see a rich man religious; for religion preaches restraint,
and riches prompt to unlicensed freedom.

--_Feltham._

1636

Religion lies more in the walk than in the talk.

1637

Religion presents few difficulties to the humble,
Many to the proud,
Insuperable ones to the vain.

1638

Religion, if in heavenly truths attired,
Needs only to be seen to be admired.

1639

REPENTANCE.

I will to-morrow, that I will,
I will be sure to do it;
To-morrow comes, to-morrow goes,
And still thou art to do it.
Thus still repentance is deferred,
From one day to another:
Until the day of death is come,
And judgment is the other.

--_Drexelius._

1640

'Tis not, to cry God mercy, or to sit
And droop, or to confess that thou hast fail'd:
'Tis to bewail the sins thou didst commit;
And not commit those sins thou hast bewail'd,
He that bewails and not forsakes them too;
Confesses rather what he means to do.

--_Quarles._

1641

_Profanity Gently Reproved._--It is related that the excellent John
Wesley, having to travel some distance in a stagecoach, was thereby
brought into the company of an intelligent and gentlemanly officer of
the British army. The officer was very social with his traveling
companions; but the enjoyment, which his society would otherwise have
afforded to those with him, was sadly lessened by the profa