All this appears pretty evident; and it obviously leads us to the next and concluding step, which is, that the natural and proper reward for _moral_ actions, ought to partake of the moral character. It is the love and affection of those we serve, or who are called on to estimate, or to decide on the character of our actions,--that is the proper, the natural, the desirable return. A little consideration, we think, will shew us, that this, as a general principle, is really correct; and that applause, admiration, or wonder, when they are afforded without _affection_, do not satisfy the heart, that in the exercise of love, seeks love in return.--It is the friendship, the fellowship, the affections of those whom we aim at pleasing, that alone can approve itself to our minds as the appropriate returns for moral actions. Note Z, p. 299.--The following are a few specimens of the paraphrastic exercise, as employed upon different subjects:-- "But Martha was [_cumbered_] [_about much serving_,] and came to [_him_,] and said, Lord, [_dost thou not care_] that my sister hath left me to [_serve_] alone? [_bid_] her, therefore, that she [_help_] me." This verse is paraphrased in the Help to Luke by substituting the explanation of the words printed in Italics, and within brackets, for the words themselves, in the following manner: "_But Martha was_ [much incommoded and harassed] [to get every thing in order for the temporal accommodation of Jesus and his disciples,] _and came to_ [Jesus,] _and said, Lord_, [art thou indifferent or careless about the circumstance] _that my sister hath left me to_ [prepare the victuals, and do all the work of the house] _alone_? [Command] _her, therefore, that she_ [leave her seat at thy feet, and come to assist] _me_." "Every thing [_in nature_] [_shews forth_] God's [_wisdom_,] [_power_,] and [_goodness_;] but the Bible, which is the [_word of God_,] and which was [_written_] by [_holy_] men at [_different times_,] under [_his direction_,] has most [_clearly_] [_revealed_] what [_God is_,] what he has done and what [_we should do_."] This is paraphrased in the Key to the Second Initiatory Catechism thus: "_Every thing_ [that has been made in the world and sky] [gives clear and constant proof of] _God's_ [chusing the best ends, and accomplishing these by the best means,] [his being able to do any thing, and every thing,] _and_ [never ceasing to care for, and to promote the happiness of all his creatures;]--_but the Bible,--which is the_ [only declaration of God's mind and will to man,] _and which was_ [composed, and put, with pen and ink, upon parchment or paper,] _by_ [good and pious] _men, at_ [dates long distant from each other,] _under_ [the care of God, who told them what they were to write,]--_has most_ [distinctly and plainly,] [brought into view, and let us know,] _what_ [God's character and perfections are,] _what he has done, and what_ [is our duty, both to God and man."]