If instead of tempting his _niece_ to be proud, and providing her with such ornaments as the _apostle_ forbids, he had cloathed, comforted, and relieved numbers of _widows_ and _orphans_, who were all to appear for him at the last day: *If instead of the cares and anxieties of _bad bonds_, _troublesome mortgages_, and _ill bargains_, he had had the constant comfort of knowing, that his treasure was securely laid up, where neither moth corrupteth, nor thieves break thro’ and steal; could it with any reason be said, that he had mistaken the spirit and dignity of his order, or lessened any of that happiness, which is to be found in his sacred employment? If instead of rejoicing in the happiness of a second _living_, he had thought it unbecoming the office of a clergyman to traffick for gain in _holy things_, as to open a shop. *If he had thought it better to recommend some _honest labour_ to his _niece_, than to support her in _idleness_ by the labour of a _curate_; better that she should want _fine cloaths_, and a _rich husband_, than that cures of souls should be farmed out, and brother clergymen not suffered to live by those altars at which they serve. If this had been the spirit of _Cognatus_, could it with any reason be said, that these rules of religion, this strictness of piety, had robbed _Cognatus_ of any real happiness? Could it be said, that a life thus governed by the spirit of the gospel, must be _dull_ and _melancholy_, if compared to that of raising a fortune for a _niece_? 6. Look now at that condition of life which draws the envy of all. *_Negotius_ is a temperate, honest man. He served his time under a master of great trade; but has, by his own management, made it a more considerable business than ever it was before. For thirty years last past, he has been corresponding with all parts of _Europe_. The general good of trade seems to _Negotius_ to be the general good of life; whatever he commends or condemns, either in church or state, is commended, or condemned, with regard to trade. As money is continually pouring in upon him; so he often lets it go in various kinds of expence and generosity, and sometimes in ways of charity. _Negotius_ is always ready to join in any public contribution. If a _purse_ is making at any place where he happens to be, whether it be to buy a plate for a horse-race, or to redeem a _prisoner_ out of gaol, you are always sure of having something from him. He has given a fine _ring of bells_ to a church in the country; and there is much expectation that he will some time or other make a more beautiful _front_ to the _market-house_, than has yet been seen in any place: for it is the generous spirit of _Negotius_, to do nothing in a mean way.