DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3689#0120
118 zA Serious Call to
Let us but intend to see and hear, and then the whole world
becomes a book of wisdom and instruction to us all; all that is
regular in the order of nature, all that is accidental in the course
of things, all the mistakes and disappointments that happen to
ourselves, all the miseries and errors that we see in other
people; become so many plain lessons of advice to us ; teaching
us with as much assurance as an Angel from Heaven, that we
can no ways raise ourselves to any true happiness, but by
turning all our thoughts, our wishes, and endeavours, after the
happiness of another life.
It is this right use of the world, that I would lead you into, by
directing you to turn your eyes upon every shape of human folly,
that you may thence. draw fresh arguments and motives, of
living to the best and greatest purposes of your creation.
And if you would but carry this intention about you, of pro-
fiting by the follies of the World, and of learning the greatness of
Religion, from the Uttle7tess and vanity of every other way of
life ; if, I say, you would but carry this intention in your mind,
you would find, every day, every place, and every person, a fresh
proof of their wisdom, who choose to live wholly unto God.
You would then often return home, the wiser, the better, and
the more strengthened in Religion, by everything that has fallen
in your way.
Octavius is a learned, ingenious man, well versed in most parts
of literature, and no stranger to any kingdom in Europe. The
other day, being just recovered from a lingering fever, he took
upon him to talk thus to his friends.
My glass, says, he, is almost run out; and your eyes see how
many marks of age and death I bear about me: But I plainly
feel myself sinking away faster than any standers-by imagine.
I fully believe, that one year more will conclude my reckoning.
The attention of his friends was much raised by such a declar-
ation, expecting to hear something truly excellent from so
learned a man, who had but a year longer to live. When
Octavius proceeded in this manner: For these reasons, says he,
my friends, I have left off all taverns, the wine of those places is
not good enough for me in this decay of nature. I must now
be nice in what I drink; I cannot pretend to do, as I have done ■-
and therefore am resolved to furnish my own cellar with a little
of the very best, though it costs me ever so much.
I must also tell you, my friends, that age forces a man to be
wise in many other respects, and makes us change many of our
opinions and practices.
You know how much I have liked a large acquaintance; I
now condemn it as an error. Three or four cheerful, diverting
Let us but intend to see and hear, and then the whole world
becomes a book of wisdom and instruction to us all; all that is
regular in the order of nature, all that is accidental in the course
of things, all the mistakes and disappointments that happen to
ourselves, all the miseries and errors that we see in other
people; become so many plain lessons of advice to us ; teaching
us with as much assurance as an Angel from Heaven, that we
can no ways raise ourselves to any true happiness, but by
turning all our thoughts, our wishes, and endeavours, after the
happiness of another life.
It is this right use of the world, that I would lead you into, by
directing you to turn your eyes upon every shape of human folly,
that you may thence. draw fresh arguments and motives, of
living to the best and greatest purposes of your creation.
And if you would but carry this intention about you, of pro-
fiting by the follies of the World, and of learning the greatness of
Religion, from the Uttle7tess and vanity of every other way of
life ; if, I say, you would but carry this intention in your mind,
you would find, every day, every place, and every person, a fresh
proof of their wisdom, who choose to live wholly unto God.
You would then often return home, the wiser, the better, and
the more strengthened in Religion, by everything that has fallen
in your way.
Octavius is a learned, ingenious man, well versed in most parts
of literature, and no stranger to any kingdom in Europe. The
other day, being just recovered from a lingering fever, he took
upon him to talk thus to his friends.
My glass, says, he, is almost run out; and your eyes see how
many marks of age and death I bear about me: But I plainly
feel myself sinking away faster than any standers-by imagine.
I fully believe, that one year more will conclude my reckoning.
The attention of his friends was much raised by such a declar-
ation, expecting to hear something truly excellent from so
learned a man, who had but a year longer to live. When
Octavius proceeded in this manner: For these reasons, says he,
my friends, I have left off all taverns, the wine of those places is
not good enough for me in this decay of nature. I must now
be nice in what I drink; I cannot pretend to do, as I have done ■-
and therefore am resolved to furnish my own cellar with a little
of the very best, though it costs me ever so much.
I must also tell you, my friends, that age forces a man to be
wise in many other respects, and makes us change many of our
opinions and practices.
You know how much I have liked a large acquaintance; I
now condemn it as an error. Three or four cheerful, diverting