The reasons of the Christian religion the first part, of godliness, proving by natural…

And though Honesty without the Pleasure and Comforts of it, be still better and more eligible, yet while mans Reason and Virtue is so weak, and his sense and appetite so strong, and his body hath so much power upon his mind, it is very few that the mere Love of Virtue would prevail with, if that Virtue were never to come to a higher degree than this.

And though Honesty without the Pleasure and Comforts of it, be still better and more eligible, yet while mans Reason and Virtue is so weak, and his sense and appetite so strong, and his body hath so much power upon his minde, it is very few that the meer Love of Virtue would prevail with, if that Virtue were never to come to a higher degree than this.

It is undoubtedly true, that the Delights of Holiness, are incomparably more desirable, as we have them in this life, than Kingdoms and all the pleasures of the flesh: But that is principally because that this life is the passage to a better, and hath relation to so glorious a reward: The least fore-thought of future Blessedness, may weigh down all the riches and pleasures of the World. But take away the respect to the life to come, and weak man would meet with no such comforts.

It is undoubtedly true, that the Delights of Holiness, are incomparably more desireable, as we have them in this life, than Kingdoms and all the pleasures of the flesh: But that is principally because that this life is the passage to a better, and hath relation to so glorious a reward: The least fore-thought of future Blessedness, may weigh down all the riches and pleasures of the World. But take away the respect to the life to come, and weak man would meet with no such comforts.

It is true also, that Virtue and Piety is most desirable even for it self: But that is especially as it will be it self indeed, in a life of fuller perfection than this: For here it is so weak, and clogged with so many corruptions, and infirmities, that the comfort of it is little perceived: But as a Child in infancy hath less pleasure than a Brute, for all his Reason; and as young Scholars for a time, do meet with more trouble than pleasure in their Learning, and half-witted Artists are oft more incommodious than none; and no one would much seek after Arts or Learning for all its excellency, if they had not hopes to ascend above that troublesome smattering degree: Even so in the present Case, though the least Virtue be in it self more valuable than all sensual pleasure, yet considered as Good to us, we should never be able to prefer it, if we had not hopes of a higher measure, than most of the truly virtuous and obedient, do here attain.