happy in it _here_, was the _very cause_ that induced him to continue
in transgression, with the expectation of repenting and escaping
punishment _hereafter_. Thus he flattered himself, that he could sin
with impunity, and escape its punishment in this world and the world
to come.

And to satisfy a man that he is to be rewarded in the _future_ world
for his righteousness in _this_ but persuading him, that virtue is
attended with misery, and that so far as it failed to reward _here_,
the balance is to be made up _hereafter_. Because the balance of
happiness due to him _there_, is to make up the deficiency of
happiness which virtue did not pay him _here_. And so far as virtue
did not pay him here, must have been miserable in its practice. And
the impression that sin is productive of many enjoyments, and that
righteousness is attended with misery, has a tendency to make him
choose the _former_ and reject the _latter_, and trust to a future
repentance.

We often hear it proclaimed by those, who profess to be the guardians
of the public morals, that the righteous have a hard course in warring
against the corruptions of their heart, in the service of God, while
the sinner goes on unconcerned and easy in the pleasures of sin. In
doing this they defeat the very object, they are striving to obtain,
which is the _conversion_ of the sinner. These very impressions are
one obvious reason why so many continue in sin and reject the path of
righteousness and peace, which alone conducts to a good name, that is
of more worth than great riches, and more durable than silver and
gold.

As then there is no happiness in vice, as all its allurements are
deceptive and vain, how important that we should shun it, and pursue
that bright path of virtue and peace, which will lead to the
invaluable possession of a good name. Engaging in the cultivation of
all the better affections of the heart, we shall by habit so refine
our natures, that "loving favor" will take entire possession of our
minds, and mould them into the spotless image of heaven. _This_ loving
favor is rather to be chosen than silver and gold, for these will
corrupt, and at last crumble into dust, while _this_ shall survive the
ruins of death, and flourish in those peaceful realms, where our
felicity will be unbroken and perpetual.

Flatter not yourselves with the vain hope, that there is one solitary
thrill of joy in the indulgence of sin. He, who indulges in
dissipation and v