cations that are requisite in Experimental Philosophers. The spiritual Repentance is a careful survey of our former Errors, and a Resolution of amendment. The spiritual Humility is an Observation of our Defects, and a lowly Sense of our own Weakness. And the Experimenter for his part must have some Qualities that answer to these: He must judge aright of himself; he must misdoubt the best of his own Thoughts; he must be sensible of his own Ignorance, if ever he will attempt to purge and renew his Reason: So that if that be true, which is commonly observ'd, that Men are wont to prove such kinds of Christians as they were Men before; and that Conversion does not destroy, but only exalt our Tempers; it may well be concluded, that the doubtful, the scrupulous, the diligent Observer of Nature, is nearer to make a modest, a severe, a meek, an humble Christian, than the Man of Speculative Science, who has better thoughts of himself and his own Knowledge.
But I need not take so great a Compass in this Vindication, when it may be fairly maintain'd, that the true and unfeign'd Mortification is not at all inconsistent with Mens consulting of their Happiness in this World, or being employed about earthly Affairs. The honest pursuit of the Conveniencies, Decencies, and Ornaments of a mortal Condition, by just and regular ways, is by no means contradictory to the most real and severe Duties of a Christian. It is true indeed, the irregular Prosecution of such Things is an offence to Religion: but so it is also to right Reason, and Nature itself.
It is a wrong Conception of the State of Grace, if Men believe, that when they enter upon it, they must presently cast away all the Thoughts and Desires
