A religion that costs nothing, does nothing.
1632
They who doubt the blessings of religion because they find no Christian who is perfect, might as well deny the existence of the sun because it is not always noonday.
—Marchioness de Spadara.
1633
Religion is good for nothing one day in the week, unless it is also good for all the seven days.
1634
Religion is the knowledge of the most excellent truths; the contemplation of the most glorious objects, and the hope of the most ravishing pleasures, and the practice of such duties as are most servicable to our happiness, our peace, our health, our honor, our prosperity, and our eternal welfare. Virtue needs no outward pomp; her very countenance is so full of majesty, that the proudest pay her respect, and the profanest are awed by her presence.
1635
It is rare to see a rich man religious; for religion preaches restraint, and riches prompt to unlicensed freedom.