ARGUMENT OF EPIST LE IV. Of the Nature and State of Man with respect to Happiness. I. FALSE Notions of Happiness, Philofophical and Popular, answered from ver. 19 to 77. II. It is the End of all Men, and attainable by all, ver. 30. God intends Happiness to be equal; and to be fo, it muft be focial, fince all particular Happiness depends on general, and fince he governs by general, not particular Laws, ver. 37. As it is neceffary for Order, and the peace and welfare of Society, that external goods fhould be unequal, Happiness is not made to confift in thefe, ver. 51. But, notwithstanding that inequality, the balance of Happiness among mankind is kept even by Providence, by the two Paffions of Hope and Fear, ver 70. III. What the Happiness of Individuals is, as far as is confiftent with the conflitution of this world; and that the Good Man has here the advantage, ver. 77. The error of imputing to Virtue what are only the calamities of Nature, or of Fortune, ver. 94. IV. The folly of expecting that God fhould alter his general Laws in favour of particulars, ver. 121. V. That we are not judges who are good; but that, whoever they are, they must be happieft, ver. 133, &c. VI. That external goods are not the proper rewards, but often inconfiftent with, F 2 with, or deftructive of Virtue, ver. 167. That even these can make no Man happy without Virtue: Inftanced in Riches, ver. 185. Honours, ver. 193. Nobility, ver. 205. Greatness, ver. 217. Fame, ver. 237. Superior Talents, ver. 257, &c. With pictures of human infelicity in Men, poffeffed of them all, ver. 269, &c. VII. That Virtue only constitutes a Happiness, whofe object is univerfal, and whofe profpect eternal, ver. 307. That the perfection of Virtue and Happiness confifts in a conformity to the ORDER of PROVIDENCE here, and a Refignation to it here and hereafter, ver. 326, &c. EPISTLE EPISTLE IV. OF Ο 5 H HAPPINESS! our being's end and aim! Where grows? where grows it not? If vain our toil, 'Tis no where to be found, or every where: 'Tis never to be bought, but always free, 15 And fled from monarchs, St. JOHN! dwells with thee. Ask of the Learn'd the way? The Learn'd are blind: This bids to ferve, and that to shun mankind; 20 VARIATION. Ver. 1. Oh Happiness, &c.] in the MS. thus: Oh Happiness, to which we all aspire, Wing'd with strong hope, and borne by full defire; Some place the blifs in action, fome in eafe, To truft in ev'ry thing, or doubt of all. Who thus define it, fay they more or less, Take Nature's path, and mad Opinion's leave; 25 30 35 But fome-way leans and hearkens to the kind: 40 45 Each has his fhare; and who would more obtain, 50 More More rich, more wife; but who infers from hence But mutual wants this Happiness increase; All Nature's difference keeps all Nature's peace. Blifs is the fame in fubject or in king, In who obtain defence, or who defend, 55 60 In him who is, or him who finds a friend: VARIATIONS. After ver. 52, in the MS. ↑ Say not, "Heaven 's here profufe, there poorly faves, "And for one Monarch makes a thousand flaves." You'll find, when Caufes and their Ends are known, 'Twas for the thoufand Heaven has made that one. After ver. 66, in the MS. 'Tis peace of mind alone is at a stay: The reft mad Fortune gives or takes away. All other blifs by accident 's débarr'd; In hardeft trials operates the best, And more is relish'd as the more diftreft. 65 |