COULDweenteruponaparticularviewofallthosemaladiesanddisorderswhichinfestanddestroythesoulsofmen，itwereeasytoshew，thatasteadfastbeliefofreligionis，intruth，themostnaturalandthebestantidoteorremedyforeachofthem。Itisobvious，orleast，thattheclearandfullmanifestation，whichthegospelhasgivenofthecharacterofGod，andthelawsofhismoralgovernment，andofthetermsofsalvationthroughfaithinthereligionofhisson，areallfinelycalculatedtorootouttheprinciplesofsuperstition，andallfalsenotions，destructivetothevirtueandhappinessofmankind，andtoplantintheirroomwhateverhasanaturalanddirecttendencytopromoteourvirtue，ourperfection，ourfelicity。
（2）CLEOMENES，kingofSparta，whensufferingundermisfortune，wasadvisedtokillhimselfbyTharyceon。
"Thinkestthou，wickedman，（saidhe）toshewthyfortitudebyrushingupondeath，anexpedientalwaysathand，thedastardlyresourceofthe{43}basestminds？Betterthanwe，bythefortuneofarms，oroverpoweredbynumbers，haveleftthefieldofbattletotheirenemies；buthewho，toavoidpain，orcalamity，orcensuresofmen，givesupthecontest，wearetoseekdeath，thatdeathoughttobeinaction。Itisbasetoliveordieonlyforourselves。Allwegainbysuicideistogetourownreputation，ordoingtheleastservicetoourcountry。Inhopes，then，wemayyetbeofsomeusetoothers，bothmethinksareboundtopreservelifeaslongaswecan。Wheneverthesehopesshallhavealtogetherabandonedus，death，ifsoughtfor，willreadilybefound。
（3）OFalltherefinescobwebs，towhichsophistryhasgivenbirth，thisseemsatoncethemostelaborateandthemostflimsy。Itseemsoneofthefirstandmostindisputablemaximsinallfoundreasoning，thatnoideaswhatevershouldhaveaplaceinthepremises，whichdonotcommunicateasensibleenergytotheconclusion。Butwhereistheconnectionbetweenthebeginningandendofthiswire-drawnargument。
Whathavethevariousbeautifulfacts，thuselegantlystated，todowithaman’stakingawayhisown{44}life？
Thoughthegreatestphilosopherbeofnomoreconsequencetothegeneralsystemofthingsthananoyster，andthoughthelifeoftheonewere，ineveryrespect，asperfectlyinsignificantasthatoftheother，stillthemeanestofmankindisnotwithoutimportanceinhisowneyes。
Andwhereishewhoisguideduniformly，inallhisactions，morebyasenseofhisrelationtotheuniverseatlarge，thanbythevalueheretainsforhimself，orthedeferencehehastohisownopinion。
NOdeduction，howeverplausible，canproduceconvictioninanyrationalmind，whichoriginatesinasuppositiongrosslyabsurd。Isitpossibletoconceivetheauthorofnaturecapableofauthenticatingadeed，whichultimatelyterminatesinthetotalannihilationofthesystem？Bywhichofthecreaturesbeneathusisthefirstlawoftheirbeingthusdaringlyviolated？Andifsuicidebeeligibletoman，underanypossiblemisfortuneordistress，whynottothem？Arenottheyalsosubjecttothevariousmiserieswhicharisefromwaywardaccidentsandhostileelements？Why，therefore，openadoorforourescapefromthoseevilsofwhichothershavetheirshare，towhom，however，itmustremainforevershut？{45}
INtruth，theexistenceofallanimalsdependsentirelyontheirinviolableattachmenttoself-preservation。Theirattentiontoallisaccordinglytheobviousandcommonconditionofalltheirnatures。Bythisgreatandoperativeprinciplenaturehaschieflyconsultedherownsafety。Ourphilosopher’snotionsaresoextremelyhostiletohermostessentialinstitutions，thatshecouldnotpossiblysurviveageneralconvictionofthem。And，inspiteofallthesophistryheismasterof，thequestionherewilleternallyrecur，whetherthewisdomofnature，orthephilosophyofourauthor，deservesthepreference。
（4）THISapologyforthecommission，arisingfromman’sinsignificanceinthemoralworld，fromthereciprocationofsocialdutybeingdissolved，orfromthebenefitresultingfromthevoluntarydismissionofbeing，iscontrarytothesoundestprinciplesofjurisprudence，totheconditionofhumannature，andtothegeneralestablishmentofthings。
THATamanwhoretiresfromlifeadlibitum，doesnoharmtosociety，isapropositionpeculiarlyabsurdanderroneous。Whatis{46}lawfulforone，maybelawfulforall，andnosocietycansubsistintheconvictionofaprinciplethushostiletoitsbeing。
ITseemstobeamaximinhumanexistence，thatnocreaturehasarighttodecideperemptorilyontheimportance，utility，ornecessityofhisownbeing。Thereareaninfinitevarietyofsecretconnectionsandassociationsinthevastsystemofthings，whichtheeyeofcreatedwisdomcannotexplore。
MANisnot，perhaps，soignorantofanything，oranycreature，asofhimself。Hisownsystem，afteralltheartandinquisitionofhumaningenuity，isstilltohimtheprofoundestmysteryinnature。Hisknowledgeandfacultiesareadequatetothesphereofhisduty。Beyondthis，hisresearchesareimpertinent，andallhisacquisitionsuseless。Hehasnoadequatenotionswhatthelawsoftheuniversearewithrespecttoanyspeciesofexistencewhatever。Acloudrestsonthecomplicatedmovementsofthisgreatmachine，whichbafflesallthepenetrationofmortals：anditwillforeverremainimpossibleforman，fromthemostcompleteanalysisofhispresentsituation，tojudge，withanydegreeofprecision，ofhisownconsequence，eitherasacitizenoftheworldatlarge，orasamemberofanyparticularsociety。{47}
FINALcausesformasystemofknowledgetoowonderfulforman。Itistheperrogativeofnaturealonetodecideuponthem。Inthefulnessoftime，hercreativehandbroughthimintoexistence，anditbelongstoheralone，inconsequenceofanarrangementequallywonderfulandmysterioustodismisshimfromhispresentmodeofbeing。
Thisisanauthoritywithwhichshealoneisinvested，andwhich，accordingtoourapprehensions，itisimpossiblefrohertodelegate。Dissolution，aswellascreation，ishers。andhewhowouldattempttoinfringehersovereigntyinthisinstance，wouldusurpaprerogativewhichdoesnotbelongtohim，andbecomeatraitortothelawsofhisbeing。Nay，onthisextravagantandlicentioushypothesis，therightofassumingandrelinquishingexistenceismadereciprocal。
Forhewhoarrogatesthelibertyofdestroyinghimself，werehepossessedofthepower，mightalsobehisowncreator；hisimaginaryinsignificancetosocietybeingasinconclusiveintheonecase，asanychimericaladvantagethatmayaccidentallystrikehimcanbeintheother。Itisastrangedoctrine，whichcannotbeestablished，butattheobviousexpenceofwhatseemtheplainestdictatesofcommonsense。
INDEED，theabsurditiesofthisdaringandparadoxicaldoctrineareendlessandinfinite。{48}Whenwecometopronounceontheconditionofhumaninfancy，andtoseparatechildhood，ornon-age，fromastateofmaturity，wecanscarcetraceoneusefulorsalutaryconsequenceitiscalculatedtoproduceinsociety。Inthisviewchildrenseemlessadaptedtoserveanyspecialorimportantend，thanevenbeetles，gnats，orflies。Experience，however，haslongconvincedtheworldoftheirpresentinestimablevaluefromtheirfuturedestination。Andwerealegislator，fromtheplausiblepretextoftheirbeingaburdentothestate，toexterminatetheraceofmankindintheinsignificantstageofinfancy，hisdecree，likethatofacertainmonsterrecordedinthegospel，wouldshockthesentimentsofeverynationunderheaven，inwhomthereremainedonlythedregsofhumanity。
ITisnotonlyimpossibleforamantodecide，inanygivenperiod，oftheprogressofhisexistence，orwhatutilityorconsequencehemaybetosociety；butwithoutthefacultyofprescience，itisstillmoreimpracticableforhimtodivinewhatpurposeshemaybeintendedtoserveinthemanymysteriousrevolationsoffuturity。Howfarhismortalmaybeconnectedwithhisimmortallife，mustrestwithhimwhohasthesoledisposalofit。Butwhotoldhimthathisloadofmiserywastoomuchtobear，thathewasnotabletosustain{49}it？orthathismercifulfatherwouldnotproportionatehissufferingstohisabilities？Howdoesheknowhowshort-livedthepressureofincumbentsorrowmayprove？Itbecomesnothimtoprescribetohismaker，orbecausehisevilsareenormous，toconcludetheymustbepermanent。Rashman！thyheartisinthehandofheaven，andhewhotempersthewindtotheshornlamb，mayeitherlightentheburthenthatoppressesthee，orblunttheedgeofthatsensibility，fromwhichitderivesthegreatestpoignancy。Whatmedicineistothewoundsofthebody，thatresignationistothoseofthesoul。Benotdeficientinthisvirtue，andlifewillneverprescribeadutyyoucannotperform，orinflictapangwhichyoucannotbear。Resignationchangesthegrizzlyaspectofaffliction，turnssicknessintohealth，andconvertsthegloomyforebodingsofdespairintothegratefulpresentimentsofhope。Besides，themostinsignificantinstrumentsaresometimes，inthehandsofeternalprovidence，employedinbringingaboutthemostgeneralandbeneficentrevolutions。Itisbymakingweaknessthussubservienttopower，eviltogood，andpaintopleasure，thathewhogovernstheworldillustrateshissovereintyandomnipotence。Till，then，thouart{50}abletocomprehendthewholemysterioussystemofeverypossibleexistence，tillthouartcertainthatthylifeistotallyinsignificant，tillthouartconvinceditisnotinthemightofinfinitepowertorendertheeserviceableeithertothyselforothers，counteractnotthebenignityofprovidencebysuicide，or，inthismanner，bytheblackestofalltreasons，betraythytrust，andwage，atfearfulodds，hostilityagainsttheverymeansandauthorofthybeing。
ONEveryobviousconsequencearisingfromsuicide，whichnoneofitsadvocatesappeartohaveforeseen，andwhichplacesitinalightexceedinglygrossandshocking，is，thatitsupposeseverymancapable，notonlyofdestroyinghimself，butofdelegatingthepowerofcommittingmurdertoanother。Thatwhichhemaydohimself，hemaycommissionanyonetodoforhim。Onthissupposition，nolaw，humanordivine，couldimpeachthesheddingofinnocentblood。Andonwhatprinciple，ofrightorexpediency，admitthatwhichproducessuchatrainofthemosthorridanddetestableconsequences？
（5）THEprecedingnoteis，perhaps，themostaudaciouspartinthewholeofthisveryextraordinaryperformance。Inourholyreligionitisexpresslydeclaredthatnomurdererhatheternallifeabidinginhim；thatmurderersshallinnowiseinheritthekingdomofGod，andthatitistheprerogativeofheavenalonetokillandmakealive。Itisafundamental{51}doctrineinthegospel，that，exceptyerepent，yeshallalllikewiseperish。Andhowaretheytoperformtheirduty，who，intheinstantofdying，contractaguilt，whichrendersitindispensible。Butthishorridsuppositionisrepugnanttothewholegeniusofrevelation，whichinculcateseveryvirtuethatcanpossiblyadministertoourpresentandfuturewelfare。ItinforcesobedienceandresignationtotherighteousgovernmentofGod。Itinspiresandproducesthoseverydispositionswhichitrecommends。
Allitsdoctrines，exhortations，andduties，areformedtoelevatethemind，toraisetheaffections，toregulatethepassions，andtopurgetheheartofwhateverishostiletohappinessinthisoranotherlife。Thisimpiousslanderonthechristianfaithistheobviousconsequenceofthegrossestinattentiontoitsnatureandtendency。Itiscalculatedchieflytomakeushappy。Andwhathappymanwaseveryetchargeablewithsuicide？Inshort，wemayaswellsay，that，becausethephysiciandoesnotexpresslyprohibitcertaindiseasesinhisprescriptions，theverydiseasesareauthenticatedbytheremediesdevised，onpurposetocounteractthem。{52}
IMMORTALITYOFTHESOUL。
（1）TheingenuityofScepticismhasbeenlongadmired，butheretheauthorboldlyoutdoesallhisformerout-doings。Muchhasbeensaidagainsttheauthenticityofreligion，onthesuppositionthattheevidencetowhichsheappeals，isnoteithersufficientlygeneralorintelligibletothebulkofmankind。Butsurelyanargumentisnotconclusiveinonecase，andinconclusiveinanother。Admitthisreasoningagainstrevelationtobevalid，andyoumustalsoadmititagainstourauthor’shypothesis。Thereneveratleastwasanobjectionstarted，thatcould，intheremotestdegree，affectthetruthsofthegospel，moreintricate，metaphysical，andabstracted，thanthatbywhichouressayestwoulddestroythepopulardoctrineofthesoul’simmortality。
Howmanyliveanddieinthissalutaryconviction，towhomtheserefinedspeculationsmustforeverremainasunintelligibleasiftheyhad{53}neverbeenformed！Itisasentimentsocongenialtotheheartofman，thatfewofthespecieswouldchusetoexistwithoutit。
Unable，astheyare，toaccountforitsorigin，theycordiallyanduniversallyindulgeit，asoneoftheirtenderest，best，andlastfeelings。Itinhabitsaliketherudestandmostpolishedminds，andneverleavesanyhumanbreast，whichisnoteitherwhollyengrossedbycriminalpleasure，deadenedbyselfishpursuits，orpervertedbyfalsereasoning。Itgovernswithalltheardorandinfluenceofinspiration，andnevermeetswithanyoppositionbutfromtheweak，theworthless，orthewiseabovewhatiswritten。Alltheworldhaveuniformlyconsidereditastheirlastresourceineveryextremity，andforthemostpartstillregardandcherishthebeliefofit，asanasyluminwhichtheirbestinterestsareultimatelysecuredordeposited，beyondthereachofalltemporarydisasterormisfortune。Where，therefore，istheprobabilityofexterminatingsopopularandprevailinganotion，byaconcatenationofideas，which，perhaps，notoneoutofamillioninanycountryunderHeavenisabletotraceorcomprehend？
（2）Thenaturalperceptionsofpleasureofpaincannotbesaidtoactonthemindasonepartofmatterdoesonanother。Thesubstanceofthesoulwedonotknow，butare{54}certainherideasmustbeimmaterial。Andthesecannotpossiblyacteitherbycontactofimpulse。Whenonebodyimpelsanother，thebodymovedisaffectedonlybytheimpulse。Butthemind，wheneverrousedbyanypleasingorpainfulsensation，inmostcaseslooksroundher，anddeliberateswhetherachangeofstateisproper，orthepresentmoreeligible；andmovesorrestsaccordingly。Herperceptions，therefore，contributenofurthertoaction，thanbyexcitingheractivepowers。Onthecontrary，matterisblindlyandobstinatelyinthatstateinwhichitis，whetherofmotionorrest，tillchangedbysomeotheradequatecause。Supposewerestthestateofanybody，someexternalforceisrequisitetoputitinmotion；and，inproportionasthisforceisgreaterorsmall，themotionmustbeswiftorslow。
Didnotthisbodycontinueinitsformerstate，noexternalforcewouldberequisitetochangeit；nor，whenchanged，woulddifferentdegreesofforcebenecessarytomoveitindifferentdegreesofvelocity。Whenmotionisimpressedonanybody，tobringittorest，anextraforcemustalwaysbeapplied，inproportiontotheintendedeffect。Thisresistanceisobserveableinbodiesbothwhenmovedinparticulardirections，andtobearanexactproportiontothevisimpressa，andtothequantityofmattermoved。Wereitpossibletoextractfrommatterthequalitiesofsolidityandextension，{55}thematterwhencesuchqualitieswereextractedwouldnolongerresist；andconsequentlyresistanceisthenecessaryresultofthem，which，therefore，inalldirectionsmustbethesame。Thedegreeofresistanceinanybodybeingproportionatetothevisimpressa，itfollows，whenthatbodyisconsideredinanyparticularstate，whetherofmotionorrest，thedegreesofresistancemusteitherindefinitelymultiply，ordecrease，accordingtoallpossibledegreesofthemovingforce。Butwhenthesamebodyisconsideredabsolutely，orwithoutfixinganyparticularstate，theresistanceisimmutable；andallthedegreesofit，whichthatbodywouldexertupontheaccessionofanyimpressedforce，mustbeconceivedasactuallyinit。Norcanmatterhaveanytendencycontrarytothatresistance，otherwiseitmustbeequalorsuperior。Ifequal，thetwocontrarytendencieswoulddestroyeachother。Ifsuperior，theresistancewouldbedestroyed。Thuschangewouldeternallysucceedtochangewithoutoneintermediateinstant，sothatnotimewouldbeassignedwhenanybodywasinanyparticularstate。Gravitationitself，themostsimpleanduniversallaw，seemsfarfrombeingatendencynaturaltomatter；sinceitisfoundtoactinternally，andnotinproportiontothesuperficesofanybody；
whichitwouldnotdo，ifitwereonlythemechanicalactionofmatteruponmatter。{56}Fromallthis，itappears，thatmatterconsideredmerelyassuch，issofarfromhavingaprincipleofspontaneousmotion，thatitisstubbornlyinactive，andmusteternallyremaininthesamestateinwhichithappenstobe，exceptinfluencedbysomeother——
thatis，someimmaterialpower。Ofsuchapowerthehumansoulisevidentlypossessed；foreveryoneisconsciousofaninternalactivity，andtodisputethiswouldbetodisputeusoutofoneofthemostrealandintimateperceptionswehave。
Thoughamaterialautomatonwereallowedpossible，howinfinitelywoulditfallshortofthatforceandceleritywhicheveryonefeelsinhimself。howsluggishareallthemovementswhichfallunderourobservation。Howslowandgradualtheirtransitionsfromonepartofspacetoanother。Butthemind，byoneinstantaneouseffort，measuresthedistancefrompoletopole，fromheaventoearth，fromonefixedstartoanother；andnotconfinedwithinthelimitsofthevisiblecreation，shootsintoimmensitywitharapiditytowhicheventhatoflightning，orsunbeams，isnocomparison。Whothenshallassignaperiod，which，thoughdepressedwithsomuchdeadweight，iseveractive，andunconsciousoffatigueorrelaxation？Themindisnotonlyherselfaprincipleofaction，butprobablyactuatesthebody，withoutthe{57}assistanceofanyintermediatepower，bothfromthegradualcommandwhichsheacquiresofitsmembersbyhabit，andfromacapacityofdetermining，insomemeasure，thequantityofpleasureorpainwhichanysensibleperceptioncangiveher。Supposingtheinterposingpoweraspirit，thesamedifficultyofspiritactinguponmatterstillremains。Andthevolitionofourownmindwillaswellaccountforthemotionofthebody，astheformalinterferenceofanyotherspiritualsubstance。Andwemayaswellask，whythemindisnotconsciousofthatinterposition，aswhysheisignorantofthemeansbywhichshecommunicatesmotiontothebody。
（3）Itisalwaysbadreasoningtodrawconclusionsfromthepremisesnotdeniedbyyouradversary。Whoever，yet，ofalltheassertorsofthesoul’simmortality，presumedtomakeamonopolyofthisgreatprivilegetothehumanrace？Whocantellwhatanotherstateofexistencemaybe，orwhethereveryotherspeciesofanimalsmaynotpossessprinciplesanimmortalasthemindofman？Butthatmodeofreasoning，whichmilitatesagainstallourconvictions，solelyonaccountoftheunavoidableignorancetowhichoursphereintheuniversesubjectsus，canneverbesatisfactory。Reason，itistrue，cannotaltogethersolveeverydoubtwhicharisesconcerningthisimportanttruth。Butneitheristhereanyother{58}truth，ofanydenominationwhatever，againstwhichsophistrymaynotconjureupamultitudeofexceptions。Weknownomodeofexistencebutthoseofmatterandspirit，neitherofwhichhaveuniformlyandsuccessfullydefiedtheextremesubtiltyofargumentation。
Stillaverygreatmajorityofmankindarestaunchbelieversinboth。Sowellconstitutedisthepresentdispositionofthings，thatalltheprinciplesessentialtohumanlifeandhappinesscontinue，asitislikelytheyeverwill，tooperate，inspiteofeverysortofclamourwhichsophistryorscepticismhasraisedorcanraiseagainstthem。
（4）Thereisnotasinglewordinallthiselaborateandtediousdeduction，whichhasnotbeenurgedandrefutedfivehundredtimes。Ourignoranceofthedivineperfections，asisusualwiththiswriter，isherestatedasanunanswerableexceptiontotheconclusionusuallydrawnfromthem。Butheveryartfullyoverlooks，thatthisgreatignorancewillbeequallyconclusiveasappliedtoeithersideoftheargument。Whenwecompare，however，thecharacterofGod，asawisesuperintendant，andgenerousbenefactor，withthestateinwhichthingsatpresentappear，wherevirtueisoftendepressedandafflicted，andviceapparentlytriumphs，itwillbetreatedwiththeinfamyitmerits，andvirtuereceivethat{59}happinessandhonour，which，fromitsownintrinsicworth，itdeserves，and，fromitsconformitytothenatureofGod，ithasreasontoexpect。
Thissubject，perhaps，hasbeentoomuchexaggerated，andsomepiousmenhaveweaklythought，thebestwaytoconvinceusthatorderandhappinessprevailedinafuturestate，wastopersuadeusthattherewasnoneatallinthis。Externaladvantageshavebeentakenfortheonlygoodsofhumannature；and，because，inthisview，allthingsspeaktheappearanceofmal-administration，wehavebeentaughttoexpectagovernmentofrectitudeandbenevolencehereafter。Letus，onthecontrary，candidlyownthatvirtueissovereignlyandsolelygood，left，bydepreciatinghercharms，weobliquelydetractfromthecharacterofGodhimself。Letusconfessherundoweredexcellencesuperiortoalltheinconveniencesthatmayattendher，eveninthepresentsituation。But，withoutallowingsomedifferencebetweenpovertyandriches，sicknessandhealth，painandpleasure，&；c。weshallhavenofoundationtopreference；anditwillbeinvaintotalkofselectingwherenoonechoicecanbemoreagreeableordisagreeabletonaturethananother。Uponthisdifference，therefore，howeveritbecalled，letthepresentargumentproceed。{60}
Ifinfinitegoodnessbethespiritandcharacteristicofthisuniversalgovernment，theneveryadvantage，howeverinconsiderableinkindordegree，musteitherbesupposedimmediatelybestowedonvirtue；or，atleast，thatsuchretributionswill，atsometime，bemadeher，asmaynotonlyrenderhervotariesequal，butsuperiortothoseofvice，inproportiontotheirmerit。Buthowdifferentthecaseisinhumanlife，historyandobservationmayeasilyconvinceus；sothatone，whoseeyesarenotintentonthecharacterofGod，andthenatureofvirtue，wouldoftenbetemptedtothinkthisworldatheatremerelyintendedformournfulspectaclesandpompsofhorror。Howmanypersonsdoweseeperishbythemerewantsofnature，who，hadtheybeenindifferentcircumstances，wouldhavethankedGodwithtearsofjoyforthepowerofcommunicatingthoseadvantagestheynowimplorefromothersinvain？While，atthesametime，theyhave，perhaps，theadditionalmiseryofseeingthemostendearedrelationsinvolvedinthesamedeplorablefate！Howoftendoweseethosetieswhichunitethesoulandbody，wornoutbythegradualadvancesofalingeringdisease，orburstatoncebythesuddeneffortsofunutterableagony？Whiletheunhappysufferers，hadtheybeencontinuedinlife，mighthavediffusedhappiness，notonlythroughthenarrowcircleoftheir{61}friendsandneighbourhood，butasextensivelyastheircountry，andeventheworldatlarge。Howmanynamesdoweseeburiedinobscurity，orsoiledwithdetraction，whichoughttohaveshonethefirstinfame？Howmanyheroeshavesurvivedthelibertiesoftheircountry，ordiedinabortiveattemptstopreservethem；and，bytheirfall，onlyleftalargerfieldforthelawlessravagesoftyrannyandoppression？
Butwereitpossible，howlongandinsuperablewouldbethetasktoenumeratealltheingredientswhichcomposethepresentcupofbitterness？Andisthistheconsummationofthings？Willsupremeandessentialgoodnessnowaydistinguishsuchashaveinvariablypursuedhishonour，andtheinterestofhisgovernment，fromthosewhohaveindustriouslyviolatedtheorderhehasappointedinthings？whohaveblottedthefaceofnaturewithhavock，murder，anddesolation；andshewnaconstantintentiontocounteractallthebenevolentdesignsofprovidence？Itisconfessedthatthevirtuous，happyinthepossessionofvirtuealone，maketheirexitfromthepresentscenewithblessingstotheCreator，forhavingcalledthemtoexistence，andgiventhemthegloriousopportunityofenjoyingwhatisinitselfsupremelyeligible。Theyareconsciousthatthisfelicitycanreceivenoaccessionfromanyexternallustreoradvantage{62}whatever。Yetitseemshighlynecessaryinthedivineadministration，thatthosewhohavebeendazzledwiththefalseglareofprosperouswickedness，shouldatlastbeundeceived；thattheyshouldatlastbeholdvirtueconspicuous，inallhernativesplendorandmajestyassheshines，thechiefdelightofGod，andultimatehappinessofallintelligentnature。
Thelanguageofreligion，andourownhearts，onthisimportantargument，isequallycomfortableanddecisive。
ItaccumulatesandenforceswhatevercaninspireuswithconfidenceinthatGod，whoisnottheGodofthedead，butoftheliving；whoreignsintheinvisible，aswellasinthevisibleworld；andwhoseattentiontoourwelfareceasesnotwithourlives，butiscommensuratetothefullextentofourbeing。
Indeedthevotariesofthesoul’smortalitymayaswellbehonestforonce，andspeakoutwhatsomanyfoolsthinkintheirhearts。ForwhatisGodtous，orwetohim，ifourconnectionextendsbuttothepitifulspaceallottedusinsuchapitifulworldasthisis？Tobesure，noabsurditywillberejected，whichcansmotherthefeelings，orkeepthevicesofprofligatesincountenance；but，ifonlymadelikewormsandreptilesbeneathourfeet，tolivethismoment，andexpirethenext，tostruggleinawretchedlifewitheveryinternalandexternalcalamity，{63}thatcanassaultourbodies，orinfestourminds；tobearthemortificationsofmalignity，andtheunmeritedabhorrenceofthosewhoperhapsmayoweusthegreatestandtenderestesteem，andthen，sunkineverlastingoblivion，ourfatewouldstandonrecord，intheannalsoftheuniverse，aneternalexceptiontoallthatcanbecalledgood。
Supposeafatherpossessedofthemostexquisitetendernessforhisson，delightedwithhissimilarityofform，hispromisingconstitution，hisstrength，gracefulness，andagility，hisundisguisedemotionsoffilialaffection，withthevariouspresagesofasuperiorgeniusandunderstanding。Letussupposethisfatherpleasedwiththeemploymentofimprovinghisfaculties，andinspiringhimwithfuturehopesofhappinessanddignity：butthathemaygivehimaquickersensibilitytothemisfortunesofothers，andamoreunshakenfortitudetosustainhisown，heoftenprefersyoungerbrethren，andevenstrangers，tothoseadvantageswhichotherwisemerit，andtheforceofnaturewoulddeterminehimtobestowonsoworthyanoffspring。Letusgofurther，andimagine，ifwecan，thatthisfather，withouttheleastdiminutionoftenderness，oranyotherapparentreason，destroyshissoninthebloomoflife，andheightofexpectation：Whowouldnotlamentthefateofsuchayouthwithinconsolabletears？{64}DoomednevermoretobeholdtheagreeablelightofHeaven！nevermoretodisplayhispersonalgraces，norexercisehismanlypowers，nevermoretofeelhisheartwarmwithbenevolentregards，nortastethesoul-transportingpleasureofobligingandbeingobliged！Blottedatoncefromexistence，andthefaircreation，hesinksintosilenceandoblivion，withallhissublimehopesdisappointed，allhisimmensedesiresungratified，andallhisintellectualfacultiesunimproved。
Withoutmentioningtheinstinctivehorrorwhichmustattendsuchanaction，howabsurdtoreason，andhowinconsistentwiththecommonfeelingsofhumanitywoulditbetosupposeafathercapableofsuchadeed。Forbidit，God！forbidit，Nature！thatweshouldimputetothemunificentfatherofbeingandhappiness，what，eveninthelowestofrationalcreatures，wouldbemonstrousanddetestable！
（5）Thetruthis，thatformwhichallmankindhavedeemedimmortal，issofarfrombeingthefrailest，thatitseemsinfactthemostindissolubleandpermanentofanyotherweknow。
Alltherationalandinventivepowersofthemindhappilyconspiretoproclaimherinfinitelydifferentinnature，andsuperiorindignitytoeverypossiblemodificationofpurematter。Weremankind{65}joinedinsociety，waslifepolishedandcultivated，werethesciencesandarts，notonlyofutility，butelegance，producedbymatter？byabrutemass？Asubstancesocontrarytoallactivityandintelligence，thatitseemstheworkofanomnipotenthandalonetoconnectthem。WhatjudgementshouldweformofthatprinciplewhichinformedandenlightenedaGalileo，aCopernicus，oraNewton？Whatinspirationtaughtthem，toplacethefuninthecenterofthissystem，andassignthevariousorbstheirrevolutionsroundhim，reducingmotionssodiverseandunequal，touniformandsimplelaws？Wasitnotsomethinglikethatgreateternalmind，whichfirstgaveexistencetothoseluminousorbs，andprescribedeachofthemtheirprovince？
Whencetheinfiniteharmonyandvarietyofsound，thecopiousflowsofeloquence，theboldergracesandmoreinspiredelevationsofpoetry，butfromamind，animmaterialbeing，thereflectedimageofherall-perfectCreator，inwhometernallydwellsallbeautyandexcellence。Weremanonlyendowedwithaprincipleofvegetation，fixedtoonepeculiarspot，andinsensibleofallthatpassedaroundhim；wemight，then，withsomecolour，supposethatenergy，ifitmaybesocalled，perishable。Were，helikeanimalspossessedofmerevitality，andqualifiedonlytomoveandfeel，stillwemighthavesomereasontofearthat，{66}insomefutureperiodofduration，ourCreatormightresumehisgiftofexistence。butcananyone，whopretendstotheleastreflection，imaginethatsuchabeingasthehumansoul，adornedwithsuchextensiveintellectualpowers，willeverceasetobetheobjectofthatloveandcarewhicheternallyholdstheuniverseinitsembrace？Didsheobtainsuchaboundlessunderstandingmerelytotastethepleasureofexercisingit？tocatchatransientglanceofitsobjects，andperish？
Formed，assheis，tooperateonherself，andallthingsroundher，mustsheceasefromaction，whileyetthemightytaskisscarcebegun？mustshelosethosefaculties，bywhichsheretainsthepast，comprehendsthepresentsandpresagesthefuture？mustshecontemplatenomorethosebrightimpressionsofdivinity，whicharediscoveredinthematerialworld；northosestronger，andmoreanimatedfeaturesofthesameeternalbeautywhichshineinherowngod-likeform？Andmustshebeabsorbedforeverinthewombofunessentialnothing？Strange，thatintheview，andeveninthearmsofinfinitepowerandgoodness，adawnsofairandpromising，shouldatonebecloudedwithallthehorrorsofeternalnight？Suchasuppositionwouldbecontrarythewholeconductandlawsofnature。
{67}
ThefollowingLettersonSUICIDEareextractedfromROSSEAU’sELOISA。LETTERCXIV。ToLordB——————。
YES，myLord，Iconfessit；theweightoflifeistooheavyformysoul。Ihavelongendureditasaburden；I
havelosteverythingwhichcouldmakeitdeartome，andnothingremainsbutirksomenessandvexation。Iamtold，however，thatIamnotatlibertytodisposeofmylife，withoutthepermissionofthatBeingfromwhomIreceivedit。I
amsensiblelikewisethatyouhavearightoveritbymoretitlesthanone。Yourcarehastwicepreservedit，andyourgoodnessisitsconstantsecurity。Iwillnever{68}disposeofit，tillIamcertainthatImaydoitwithoutacrime，andtillIhavenottheleasthopeofemployingitforyourservice。
YoutoldmethatIshouldbeofusetoyou；
whydidyoudeceiveme？SincewehavebeeninLondon，sofarfromthinkingofemployingmeinyourconcerns，youhavebeenkindenoughtomakemeyouronlyconcern。Howsuperfluousisyourobligingsolicitude！Mylord，youknowIabhoracrime，evenworsethanIdetestlife；IadorethesupremeBeing——Ioweeverythingtoyou；Ihaveanaffectionforyou；youaretheonlypersononearthtowhomI
amattached。Friendshipanddutymaychainawretchtothisearth：
sophistryandvainpretenceswillneverdetainhim。Enlightenmyunderstanding，speaktomyheart；Iamreadytohearyou，butremember，thatdespairisnottobeimposedupon。
Youwouldhavemeapplytothetestofreason：
Iwill；letusreason。Youdesiremetodeliberateinproportiontotheimportance{69}ofthequestionindebate；Iagreetoit。Letusinvestigatetruthwithtemperandmoderation；
letusdiscussthisgeneralpropositionwiththesameindifferenceweshouldtreatanyother。Roebeckwroteanapologyforsuicidebeforeheputanendtohislife。Iwillnot，afterhisexample，writeabookonthesubject，neitheramIwellsatisfiedwiththatwhichhehaspenned，butIhopeinthisdiscussionatleasttoimitatehismoderation。
Ihaveforalongtimemeditatedonthisawfulsubject。YoumustbesensiblethatIhave，foryouknowmydestiny，andyetIamalive。ThemoreIreflect，themoreIamconvincedthatthequestionmaybereducedtothisfundamentalproposition。Everymanhasarightbynaturetopursuewhathethinksgood，andavoidwhathethinksevil，inallrespectswhicharenotinjurioustoothers。Whenourlifethereforebecomesamiserytoourselves，andisofadvantagetonoone，weareatlibertytoputanendtoourbeing。
Ifthereisanysuchthingasaclearandself-evident{70}principle，certainlythisisone，andifthisbesubverted，thereisscarceanactioninlifewhichmaynotbemadecriminal。
Letushearwhatthephilosopherssayonthissubject。First，theyconsiderlifeassomethingwhichisnotourown，becauseweholditasagift；butbecauseithasbeengiventous，isitforthatreasonourown？HasnotGodgiventhesesophiststwoarms？nevertheless，whentheyareunderapprehensionsofamortification，theydonotscrupletoamputateone，orbothiftherebeoccasion。Byaparityofreasoning，wemayconvincethosewhobelieveintheimmortalityofthesoul；forifIsacrificemyarmtothepreservationofsomethingmoreprecious，whichismybody，Ihavethesamerighttosacrificemybodytothepreservationofsomethingmorevaluable，whichis，thehappinessofmyexistence。Ifallthegiftswhichheavenhasbestowedarenaturallydesignedforourgood，theyarecertainlytooapttochangetheirnature；andProvidencehasendoweduswithreason，thatwemaydiscernthedifference。Ifthisrule{71}didnotauthorizeustochusetheone，andrejecttheother，towhatusewoulditserveamongmankind？
Buttheyturnthisweakobjectionintoathousandshapes。Theyconsideramanlivinguponearthasasoldierplacedonduty。God，saythey，hasfixedyouinthisworld，whydoyouquityourstationwithouthisleave？Butyou，whoarguethus，hashenotstationedyouinthetownwhereyouwasborn，whythereforedoyouquititwithouthisleave？isnotmisery，ofitself，asufficientpermission？WhateverstationProvidencehasassignedme，whetheritbeinaregiment，orontheearthatlarge，heintendedmetostaytherewhileIfoundmysituationagreeable，andtoleaveitwhenitbecameintolerable。Thisisthevoiceofnature，andthevoiceofGod。Iagreethatwemustwaitforanorder；butwhenIdieanaturaldeath，Goddoesnotordermetoquitlife，hetakesitfromme；itisbyrenderinglifeinsupportable，thatheordersmetoquitit。Inthefirstcase，Iresistwithallmyforce；inthesecond，Ihavethemeritofobedience。{72}
CanyouconceivethattherearesomepeoplesoabsurdastoarraignsuicideasakindofrebellionagainstProvidence，byanattempttoflyfromhislaws？butwedonotputanendtoourbeinginordertowithdrawourselvesfromhiscommands，buttoexecutethem。What！doesthepowerofGodextendnofartherthantomybody？isthereaspotintheuniverse，isthereanybeingintheuniverse，whichisnotsubjecttohispower，andwillthatpowerhavelessimmediateinfluenceovermewhenmybeingisrefined，andtherebybecomeslesscompound，andofnearerresemblancetothedivineessence？no，hisjusticeandgoodnessarethefoundationofmyhopes；andifIthoughtthatdeathwouldwithdrawmefromhispower，Iwouldgiveupmyresolutiontodie。
ThisisoneofthequibblesofthePhaedo，which，inotherrespects，aboundswithsublimetruths。Ifyourslavedestroyshimself，saysSocratestoCebes，wouldyounotpunishhim，forhavingunjustlydeprivedyouofyourproperty；{73}prithee，goodSocrates，dowenotbelongtoGodafterwearedead？Thecaseyouputisnotapplicable；yououghttoarguethus：ifyouincumberyourslavewithahabitwhichconfineshimfromdischarginghisdutyproperly，willyoupunishhimforquittingit，inordertorenderyoubetterservice？thegranderrorliesinmakinglifeoftoogreatimportance；asifourexistencedependeduponit，andthatdeathwasatotalannihilation。OurlifeisofnoconsequenceinthesightofGod；itisofnoimportanceintheeyesofreason，neitheroughtittobeofanyinoursight；whenwequitourbody，weonlylayasideaninconvenienthabit。Isthiscircumstancesopainful，tobetheoccasionofsomuchdisturbance？MyLord，thesedeclaimersarenotinearnest。Theirargumentsareabsurdandcruel，fortheyaggravatethesupposedcrime，asifitputaperiodtoexistence，andtheypunishit，asifthatexistencewaseternal。
WithrespecttoPlato’sPhaedo，whichhasfurnishedthemwiththeonlyspeciousargumentthathaseverbeenadvanced，thequestion{74}isdiscussedthereinaverylightanddesultorymanner。Socratesbeingcondemned，byanunjustjudgment，tolosehislifeinafewhours，hadnooccasiontoenterintoanaccurateenquirywhetherhewasatlibertytodisposeofithimself。SupposinghimreallytohavebeentheauthorofthosediscourseswhichPlatoascribestohim，yetbelieveme，mylord，hewouldhavemeditatedwithmoreattentiononthesubject，hadhebeenincircumstanceswhichrequiredhimtoreducehisspeculationstopractice；
andastrongproofthatnovalidobjectioncanbedrawnfromthatimmortalworkagainsttherightofdisposingofourownlives，is，thatCatoreadittwicethroughtheverynightthathedestroyedhimself。
Thesamesophistersmakeitaquestionwhetherlifecaneverbeanevil？butwhenweconsiderthemultitudeoferrors，torments，andvices，withwhichitabounds，onewouldratherbeinclinedtodoubtwhetheritcaneverbeablessing。Guiltincessantlybesiegesthemostvirtuousofmankind。
Everymomenthelivesheisindangeroffallingapreytothewicked，orofbeingwickedhimself。To{75}struggleandtoendure，ishislotinthisworld；thatofthedishonestmanistodoevil，andtosuffer。Ineveryotherparticulartheydiffer，andonlyagreeinsharingthemiseriesoflifeincommon。Ifyourequiredauthoritiesandfacts，Icouldreciteyoutheoraclesofold，theanswersofthesages，andproduceinstanceswhereactsofvirtuehavebeenrecompensedwithdeath。Butletusleavetheseconsiderations，mylord；itistoyouwhomIaddressmyself，andI
askyouwhatisthechiefattentionofawisemaninthislife，except，ifImaybeallowedtheexpression，tocollecthimselfinwardly，andendeavour，evenwhilehelives，tobedeadtoeveryobjectofsense？Theonlywaybywhichwisdomdirectsustoavoidthemiseriesofhumannature，isitnottodetachourselvesfromallearthlyobjects，fromeverythingthatisgrossinourcomposition，toretirewithinourselves，andtoraiseourthoughtstosublimecontemplations？
Ifthereforeourmisfortunesarederivedfromourpassionsanderrors，withwhateagernessshouldwewishforastatewhichwilldeliverusbothfromtheoneandtheother？Whatis{76}thefateofthosesonsofsensuality，whoindiscreetlymultiplytheirtormentsbytheirpleasures？theyinfactdestroytheirexistencebyextendingtheirconnectionsinthislife；theyincreasetheweightoftheircrimesbytheirnumerousattachments；theyrelishnoenjoyments，butwhataresucceededbyathousandbitterwants；themorelivelytheirsensibility，themoreacutetheirsufferings；
thestrongertheyareattachedtolife，themorewretchedtheybecome。
Butadmittingit，ingeneral，abenefittomankindtocrawlupontheearthwithgloomysadness，Idonotmeantointimatethatthehumanraceoughtwithonecommonconsenttodestroythemselves，andmaketheworldoneimmensegrave。Buttherearemiserablebeings，whoaretoomuchexaltedtobegovernedbyvulgaropinion；tothemdespairandgrievoustormentsarethepassportsofnature。Itwouldbeasridiculoustosupposethatlifecanbeablessingtosuchmen，asitwasabsurdinthesophisterPossidoniustodenythatiswasan{77}evil，atthesametimethatheenduredallthetormentsofthegout。Whilelifeisagreeabletous，weearnestlywishtoprolongit，andnothingbutasenseofextrememiserycanextinguishthedesireofexistence；forwenaturallyconceiveaviolentdreadofdeath，andthisdreadconcealsthemiseriesofhumannaturefromoursight。Wedragapainfulandmelancholylife，foralongtimebeforewecanresolvetoquitit；
butwhenoncelifebecomessoinsupportableastoovercomethehorrorofdeath，thenexistenceisevidentlyagreatevil，andwecannotdisengageourselvesfromittoosoon。Therefore，thoughwecannotexactlyascertainthepointatwhichitceasestobeablessing，yetatleastwearecertaininthatitisanevillongbeforeitappearstobesuch，andwitheverysensiblemantherightofquittinglifeis，byagreatdeal，precedenttothetemptation。
Thisisnotall。Aftertheyhavedeniedthatlifecanbeanevil，inordertobarourrightofmakingawaywithourselves；theyconfessimmediatelyafterwardsthatitisan{78}evil，byreproachinguswithwantofcouragetosupportit。Accordingtothem，itiscowardicetowithdrawourselvesfrompainandtrouble，andtherearenonebutdastardswhodestroythemselves。ORome，thouvictrixoftheworld，whataraceofcowardsdidthyempireproduce！
LetArria，Eponina，Lucretia，beofthenumber；theywerewomen。ButBrutus，Cassius，andthougreatanddivineCato，whodidstsharewiththegodstheadorationofanastonishedworld，thouwhosesacredandaugustpresenceanimatedtheRomanswithholyzeal，andmadetyrantstremble，littledidthyproudadmirersimaginethatpaltryrhetoricians，immuredinthedustycornerofacollege，wouldeverattempttoprovethatthouwertacoward，forhavingpreferreddeathtoashamefulexistence。
Othedignityandenergyofyourmodernwriters！
Howsublime，howintrepidareyouwithyourpens？buttellme，thougreatandvalianthero，whodostsocourageouslydeclinethebattle，inordertoendurethepainoflivingsomewhatlonger；whensparkoffire{79}lightsuponyourhand，whydoyouwithdrawitinsuchhaste？how？areyousuchacowardthatyoudarenotbearthescorchingoffire？nothing，yousay，canobligeyoutoenduretheburningspark；andwhatobligesmetoendurelife？wasthecreationofamanofmoredifficultytoProvidence，thanthatofastraw？andisnotbothoneandtheotherequallytheworkofhishands？
Withoutdoubt，itisanevidenceofgreatfortitudetobearwithfirmnessthemiserywhichwecannotshun；nonebutafool，however，willvoluntarilyendureevilswhichhecanavoidwithoutacrime；anditisveryoftenagreatcrimetosufferpainunnecessarily。Hewhohasnotresolutiontodeliverhimselffromamiserablebeingbyaspeedydeath，islikeonewhowouldrathersufferawoundtomortify，thantrusttoasurgeon’sknifeforhiscure。Come，thouworthy——cutoffthisleg，whichendangersmylife。Iwillseeitdonewithoutshrinking，andwillgivethatheroleavetocallmecoward，whosuffershislegtomortify，becausehedaresnotundergothesameoperation。{80}
Iacknowledgethattherearedutiesowingtoothers，thenatureofwhichwillnotalloweverymantodisposeofhislife；but，inreturn，howmanyaretherewhichgivehimarighttodisposeofit？letamagistrateonwhomthewelfareofanationdepends，letafatherofafamilywhoisboundtoprocuresubsistenceforhischildren，letadebtorwhomightruinhiscreditors，lettheseatalleventsdischargetheirduty；admittingathousandothercivilanddomesticrelationstoobligeanhonestandunfortunatemantosupportthemiseryoflife，toavoidthegreaterevilofdoinginjustice；isit，therefore，undercircumstancestotallydifferent，incumbentonustopreservealifeoppressedwithaswarmofmiseries，whenitcanbeofnoservicebuttohimwhohasnotcouragetodie？"Killme，mychild，"
saysthedecrepidsavagetohisson，whocarrieshimonhisshoulders，andbendsunderhisweight；the"enemyisathand；gotobattlewiththybrethren；goandpreservethychildren，anddonotsufferthyhelplessfathertofall{81}