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VI.

phanation. But these extraordinary inftances, whatever may be thought of them, cannot prove that to be lawful, which is in itfelf unlawful.*

As to the other case stated by Mr. H. in the fame P. 20. that of " a "malefactor justly condemned to a "fhameful death", there can be no difficulty. It is the duty of him who has tranfgreffed the laws of his country to make the fatisfaction they require. The virtues, called forth upon the fad occafion, of repentance, and faith in the divine mercy, confequent thereupon, are of the highest benefit to himself in his most important concerns; while his example at his death undoes, as far as in him lies, the evil perpetrated in his life, and by warn

*See Bp. Taylor, ubi fupra.

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VI.

ing others not to offend, is of eminent LET. service to the community-I am aftonished that Mr. H. should ask, “can reafon be imagined why he may. "not anticipate his punishment ?" and affert, that " he invades the bu"finefs of providence no more than "the magiftrate did who ordered his "execution;" and that " his voluntary "death is equally advantageous to fociety."-It is an unparalleled outrage at once upon common sense, the laws, and the religion of his country.

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We may now, I believe, venture to conclude, notwithstanding all which Mr. H. has faid to the contrary, that fuicide is a breach of our duty to our neighbour,

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VII.

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ET us confider, in the last place, whether fuicide be not a breach of that duty we owe to ourselves. On this head Mr. H. is short, and therefore we need not be long.

The argument lies in a narrow compafs. Man is fubject to mifery, and fuicide is the way to escape it.

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P. 20. "That fuicide may often be "confiftent with intereft, and with "our duty to ourselves, no one can queftion, who allows, that age, "fickness, or misfortune, may render "life a burthen, and make it worse even than annihilation."

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VII.

That they "make it worfe than LET. annihilation," is not the general opinion, because, however afflicted, few feem difpofed to chufe annihilation, (if they thought they could obtain it) in preference. That the calamities of human life are many and great, there is neither room nor occafion to difpute. They have employed the pens of poets, orators, and historians, from age to age. They are frequently, without doubt, a "burthen." But the burthen has often been borne; and what has been done, may be done again. It is laid upon us by our fins, and is no more than we deferve; therefore it ought to be borne patiently. It will laft but for a little while; therefore it should be borne cheerfully. Through the mercies of a Saviour, it will ter

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VII.

LET. minate in everlasting felicity; and therefore it should be borne joyfully. This is the ground upon which we stand. These are the principles by which we abide. Admit them, they solve every difficulty, and difperfe every cloud. Through the valley of the fhadow of death they open a fair and lovely profpect, extending far and wide beyond it. At their prefence, forrow brightens into joy, light arifes in darkness, and the mass of human "wretchedness melts away before it, like the morning misft upon the mountains. If the philofophers poffefs any principles that are better, and better founded, let them be communicative; if not, let them embrace these with us, and not be faithlefs, but believingWhoever they may be of them that read this, Almoft, I think, they are, at

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