advantageous to the human species.

Besides, it is impossible in the nature of things, that the man, who
is bent on indulging his palate and his appetite, should not be
guilty of irregularity. Hence it was that to avoid this vice, as
soon as I found myself arrived at maturer years, I embraced a regular
and sober life. It is, no doubt, true, that I found some difficulty
in compassing it; but, in order to conquer this difficulty, I
beseeched the Almighty to grant me the virtue of sobriety; well
knowing, that he would graciously hear my prayer. Then, considering,
that when a man is about to undertake any thing of importance, which
he knows he can compass, though not without difficulty, he may make
it much easier to himself by being steady in his purpose; I pursued
the same course. I endeavoured gradually to relinquish a disorderly
life, and to accustom myself insensibly to the rules of temperance:
and thus it came to pass that a sober and regular life no longer
proved uneasy or disagreeable; though, on account of the weakness of
my constitution, I tied myself down to such strict rules in regard
to the quantity and quality of what I eat and drink.

But others, who happen to be blessed with a stronger temperament,
may eat many other kinds of food, and in greater quantities; and so
of wines; whereas, though their lives may still be sober, they will
not be so confined as mine, but much more free. Now, on hearing
these arguments, and examining the reasons on which they were
founded, they all agreed that I had advanced nothing but what was
true. Indeed the youngest of them said, that though he could not
but allow the favour of advantages, I had been speaking of, to be
common to all mankind, yet I enjoyed the special grace of being
able to relinquish with ease one kind of life, and embrace another;
a think which he knew by experience to be feasible; but as difficult
to him as it had proved easy to me.

To this I replied, that, being a mortal like himself, I likewise
found it a difficult task; but it did not become a person to shrink
from a glorious but practicable undertaking, on account of the
difficulties attending it, because in proportion to these
difficulties, is the honour he acquires by it in the eye of man, and
the merit in the sight of God. Our beneficent Creator is desirous,
that, as he originally favoured human nature with longevity, we
should all enjoy full advantage of his intentions; knowing, that,
when