The true ground of most men's prejudice against the Christian doctrine is because they have no mind to obey it.

Piety and virtue are not only delightful for the present, but they leave peace and contentment behind them.

The crafty person is always in danger; and when they think they walk in the dark, all their pretenses are transparent.

How often might a man, after he had jumbled a set of letters in a bag, fling them out upon the ground before they would fall into an exact poem, yea, or so much as make a good discourse in prose? And may not a little book be as easily made by chance as this great volume of the world?

It is pleasant to be virtuous and good, because that is to excel many others; it is pleasant to grow better, because that is to excel ourselves; it is pleasant to mortify and subdue our lusts, because that is victory; it is pleasant to command our appetites and passions, and to keep them in due order within the bounds of reason and religion, because this is empire.

None so nearly disposed to scoffing at religion as those who have accustomed themselves to swear on trifling occasions.

When a man has once forfeited the reputation of his integrity, he is set fast, and nothing will then serve his turn, neither truth nor falsehood.