A discourse concerning the Redeemer's dominion over the invisible world, and the entrance thereinto

What pleasant Scenes do we form to our selves, afresh, of past things, on purpose to foment present Sorrow! And whether we have that design or no, we are more prone to look back to former things we have known, than forward to future, we know not; especially, if the further we look back, the less we find of Trouble intermingled in our former Course. A smooth and pleasant Path we would go over again, if Reason, and the necessity of Affairs do not recall us, and urge us forward.

What pleasant Scenes do we form to our selves, afresh, of past things, on purpose to foment present Sorrow! And whether we have that design or no, we are more prone to look back to former things we have known, than forward to future, we know not; especially, if the further we look back, the less we find of Trouble intermingl'd in our former Course. A smooth and pleasant Path we would go over again, if Reason, and the necessity of Affairs do not recall us, and urge us forward.

And so, Sir, might you find matter for a very copious, and not ungrateful recollection, to call over again, and revolve in your Thoughts, ⟨p. 27⟩the pleasures of your Youth, (more innocent than of many others,) when you were encumbered with no Cares, entertained with various Delights, of one sort and another, in this or that pleasant Seat of your Parents. But how remote is it from you, upon Consideration, to wish your self back, into your juvenile State, and Circumstances? How much a more generous, and God like pleasure is it, to be doing good in the World, and still to abound therein, to go forward, and do still more and more!

And so, Sir, might you find matter for a very copious, and not ungrateful recollection, to call over again, and revolve in your Thoughts, ⟨p. 27⟩the pleasures of your Youth, (more innocent than of many others,) when you were incumbered with no Cares, entertain'd with various Delights, of one sort and another, in this or that pleasant Seat of your Parents. But how remote is it from you, upon Consideration, to wish your self back, into your juvenile State, and Circumstances? How much a more generous, and God like pleasure is it, to be doing good in the World, and still to abound therein, to go forward, and do still more and more!