tions beyond a fmall number of friends: perhaps there may be fome who, ftrictly fpeaking, cannot be faid to love any one of their fellow-creatures.

But even those who, partly through the faults of others, and partly through their own, are thus almost contracted within themfelves, and suffer their generous and social affections to languish in total inaction; even they would reanimate them with a powerful energy, if all mankind fhould become really estimable and amiable, and should clearly appear fo to them. You are informed that all who furround you are changed; that they are good and generous; that they love you fincerely and tenderly; and that even those strangers whom you fee at a diftance, are impatient to give you proofs of the affection which they feel towards you.

Thefe

These obdurate hearts would be no longer inflexible; they would, with the most pleasing surprise, feel themselves affected with the fame sentiments which they should find in all around them.

This will be our cafe in heaven. We fhall be fecure of meeting, in each of the bleffed, with every difpofition, every affection, every fentiment, which we would wish them to feel towards us.

We all have a natural defire to be esteemed and beloved. The fact is inconteftible. This is an admirable motive to induce us to exert all our faculties in the most advantageous manner; to unite ourselves to each other by the tenderest friendship; to perform the most glorious actions. The wif dom and goodness of GoD are difplayed in this difpofition of our hearts. Here below,

our

our own errors and frailties, and a great number of external objects; various accidents, the ignorance of other men, and their falfe judgments, often prevent us from gratifying that noble defire. But the worst of men cannot entirely diveft themselves of regard for the approbation of their fellowThat affection and efteem which

creatures.

by means of certain qualities and actions we may have loft with fome, we endeavour to regain with others by different qualities and an altered conduct; but the fuccefs is always uncertain.

It will not be thus in heaven. All its inhabitants, being really eftimable and amiable, will be constantly esteemed and beloved. We fhall no longer be deceived, with regard either to the proper objects of esteem and friendship, or the proper means of infpi

ring them with the fame fentiments towards ourfelves.

Endued with the most excellent faculties, far more fufceptible than we now are of moral pleasures; zealous imitators of the great GOD, whom we fhall then fee continually "face to face;" we fhall love all who approach him; thofe innumerable beings who furround his throne, we shall love with a warmth, a delicacy, and a conftancy, which we can but imperfectly conceive in this world. God loves us better, infinitely better, than the most tender father loves his only fon. We fhall learn of him our fraternal love: regarding all his creatures as his children, we fhall feel for them that peculiar affection with which we are naturally inspired for every object, confidered by those who are dear to us as worthy of theirs.

We

We fhall love all our fellow-creatures, every intelligent being, for GOD, and in GoD. Every circumftance alfo will concur to promote our union and mutual affection.

Here it is quite otherwife; there are frequently jarring interests, misunderstandings, obfcurities, and difficulties, in our affairs and our claims, difcuffions on property, oppres five customs, tyrannical prejudices on the point of honour, and falfe notions refpecting the defigns and fentiments of others: from hence arife fears and fufpicions; and then, how much time is requifite, how many obftacles must be furmounted, in order to be fecure of the regard of our fellow-creatures. Every one knows the danger we incur of making an improper choice, and of misplacing our confidence; and how difficult it is to prevent others from diftrufting us.

There