enitence, can have no
title to that evenness and tranquility of mind which is the health of
the soul, and the natural effect of virtue and innocence. Cheerfulness
in an ill man, deserves a harder name than language can furnish us
with, and is many degrees beyond what we commonly call folly or madness.

8. Atheism, by which I mean a disbelief of a Supreme Being, and
consequently of a future state, under whatsoever title it shelters
itself, may likewise very reasonably deprive a man of this cheerfulness
of temper. There is something so particularly gloomy and offensive to
human nature in the prospect of non-existence, that I cannot but wonder,
with many excellent writers, how it is possible for a man to out-live
the expectation of it. For my own part, I think the being of a God is so
little to be doubted, that it is almost the only truth we are sure of,
and such a truth as we meet with in every object, in every occurrence,
and in every thought.

9. If we look into the characters of this tribe of infidels, we
generally find they are made up of pride, spleen and cavil: It is indeed
no wonder that men, who are uneasy to themselves, should be so to the
rest of the world; and how is it possible for a man to be otherwise than
uneasy in himself, who is in danger every moment of losing his entire
existence, and dropping into nothing?

10. The vicious man and atheist have therefore no pretence to
cheerfulness, and would act very unreasonably, should they endeavor
after it. It is impossible for any one to live in good humour, and enjoy
his present existence, who is apprehensive either of torment or of
annihilation; of being miserable, or of not being at all.

After having mentioned these two great principles, which are destructive
of cheerfulness in their own nature, as well as in right reason, I
cannot think of any other that ought to banish this happy temper from a
virtuous mind. Pain and sickness, shame and reproach, poverty and old
age, nay, death itself, considering the shortness of their duration, and
the advantage we may reap from them, do not deserve the name of evils.

11. A good mind may bear up under them with fortitude, with indolence,
and with cheerfulness of heart--the tossing of a tempest does not
discompose him, which he is sure will bring him to a joyful harbour.

A man who uses his best endeavours to live according to the dictates of
virtue and right reason, has two perpetual sources of cheerfulness, in
the