9. Let _libertines_ but grant that there is a God, and a providence, and then they have granted enough to justify the wisdom, and support the honour of devotion. For if there is an infinitely wise and good Creator, in whom we live, move, and have our being, whose providence governs all things in all places, surely it must be the highest act of our _understanding_ to conceive rightly of him; it must be the noblest instance of _judgment_, the most exalted temper of our nature, to worship and adore this universal providence, to conform to its laws, to study its wisdom, and to live and act every where, as in the presence of this infinitely good and wise Creator. Now he that lives thus, lives in the spirit of devotion. And what can shew such great parts, and so fine an understanding, as to live in this temper? For if God is _wisdom_, surely he must be the wisest man in the world, who _most_ conforms to the wisdom of God, who _best_ obeys his providence, who enters _farthest_ into his designs, and does all he can, that God’s will may be done on earth, as it is done in heaven. A devout man makes a true use of his reason; he sees through the _vanity_ of the world, discovers the _corruption_ of his nature, and the _blindness_ of his passions. He lives by a _law_ which is not visible to _vulgar eyes_; he enters into the world of _spirits_; he compares the greatest things, sets _eternity_ against time; and chuses rather to be for ever great in the presence of God when he dies, than to have the greatest share of worldly pleasures whilst he lives. 11. _Lastly, Courage_ and _bravery_ are words of a great sound, and seem to signify an _heroic_ spirit; but yet _humility_, which seems to be the _lowest, meanest_ part of devotion, is a more certain argument of a _noble_ mind. For humility contends with greater enemies, is more constantly engaged, more violently assaulted, suffers more, and requires greater courage to support itself, than any instances of worldly bravery. A man that dares be poor and contemptible in the eyes of the world, to approve himself to God; that resists and rejects all human glory; that opposes the clamour of his passions, that meekly puts up all injuries, and dares stay for his reward till the invisible hand of God gives to every one their proper places, endures a much _greater trial_, and exerts a _nobler fortitude_, than he that is bold and daring in the fire of battle. For the boldness of a soldier, if he is a stranger to the spirit of devotion, is rather _weakness_ than fortitude; it is at best but _mad passion_, and heated spirits, and has no more true valour in it than the fury of a _tyger_. Reason is our _universal law_, that obliges us in all places, and all times; and no actions have any honour, but so far as they are instances of our obedience to reason. And it is as _base_ to be bold and daring against the principle of reason and justice, as to be bold and daring in _lying_ and _perjury_.