The Complaint, or Night-Thoughts on Life, Death, and Immortality; Also, the Consolation Night 9th and Last with the Life of the Author (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1800 Excerpt: ...the Deity, mould snatch the draught; With night eternal blot it out, and give The ikies alarm, lest angels too might die? If human fouls why-not angelic too., -s Extinguish'd?and a folitary God, . O'er ghastly ruin, frowning from his throne? Shall we, this moment, gaze on God in man? The next, lofe man for ever in the dust? From dust we disengage, or man mistakes; And there, where least his judgment sears a flaw.-Wisdom and Worth, how boldly he commends Wisdom and Worth, are facred names; rever'd, Where not embrac'd; applauded, deisy, 'd 'Why not ccmpajston'd'too. If spirits die, Both are calamities, infliBcd both, To make us but more wretched. Wisdom's eye Acute, for what; To spy more miferies; And worth, so recompens'd new-points their stings. Or man surmounts the grave, or gain is lofs, And worth exalted humbles us the more. Thou wilt not patronize a scheme that makes Weakness and vice the resuge of mankind. Has virtue then no joys?"--Yes, joys dear-bought. Talk ne'er so long, in this impersect state, 'Virtue, and Vice, are at eternal war, Virtue's a combat; and who sights for nought? Or for precarious, or for small reward? Who Virtue'ssels-rewardso loud resound, Would take degrees angelic here below, And Virtue, while they compliment, betray, By seeble motives, and unfaithsul guards. The crown, th' unsading crown, her soul inspires: 'Tis that, and that alone, can countervail The body'% treach'ries, and the world's assault : On earth's poor pay, our famistVd virtue dies. Truth incontestible in spite of all A Bay Le has preach'd, or a V----E believM. In man, the more we dive, the more we see Heav'ns signet stamping-an immortal make. Dive to the bottom of Jiis soul, the base Sustaining all; what sind we? Knowledge, love-As light, and hint, essential to...