The sovereign and final happiness of man with the effectual means to obtain itThe soveraign and final happiness of man with the effectual means to obtain it

Nay they are consistent with all those sordid Lusts, that blemish and defame the humane Nature, and sink it below it self. External Honour is no Character of real Desert, and considered absolutely, confers no more to Virtue than to Vice. As Varnish in Painting serves only to give Lustre and Vivacity to the Colours, whether the Design be regular or ill, the Picture deformed or beautiful, and makes the Beauty or Deformity ⟨p. 12⟩more visible. Splendour of Extraction renders the good or bad qualities of a Person more conspicuous. Folly set in high Degree is more observed than in a low Condition. And usually Titles of Honour are an occasion of absurd Pride to ignorant Souls, that understand not, that Virtue incomparably excels Nobility, as the Light is more glorious and radiant where it springs, than where 'tis reflected. Riches are often joined with habitual Vices in the Possessors, and indifferently serve for bad or good uses. The greedy pursuit of them blasts all true worth of Spirit, and turns the Soul to Earth and Corruption. And sensual Pleasures are so far from advancing Man, that the luxurious enjoyment of them, by the lowest degradement makes him like the Beasts, in all things but Innocence. In short, all the admired things of the World are of so little value, that they debase and enslave him by an overprising and affecting them. 'Tis his true perfection from consciousness of his native worth, and through Royalty of Mind, to despise them.

Nay they are consistent with all those sordid Lusts, that blemish and defame the humane Nature, and sink it below it self. External Honour is no Character of real Desert, and considered absolutely, confers no more to Vertue than to Vice. As Varnish in Painting serves only to give Lustre and Vavacity to the Colours, whether the Design be regular or ill, the Picture deformed or beautiful, and makes the Beauty or Deformity ⟨p. 12⟩more visible. Splendor of Extraction renders the good or bad qualities of a Person more conspicuous. Folly set in high Degree is more observed than in a low Condition. And usually Titles of Honour are an occasion of absurd Pride to ignorant Souls, that understand not, that Vertue incomparably excells Nobility, as the Light is more glorious and radiant where it springs, than where 'tis reflected. Riches are often joined with habitual Vices in the Possessors, and indifferently serve for bad or good uses. The greedy pursuit of them blasts all true worth of Spirit, and turns the Soul to Earth and Corruption. And sensual Pleasures are so far from advancing Man, that the luxurious enjoyment of them, by the lowest degradement makes him like the Beasts, in all things but Innocence. In short, all the admired things of the World are of so little value, that they debase and inslave him by an overprising and affecting them. 'Tis his true perfection from consciousness of his native worth, and through Royality of Mind, to despise them.