But here he is soon relieved by a settled method of playing at cards, till it is time to think of some little, nice matter for supper.
After this Succus takes his glass, talks of the excellency of the English constitution, and praises that minister the most, who keeps the best table.
On a Sunday night you may sometimes hear him condemning the iniquity of town rakes; and the bitterest thing that he says against them is this, that he verily believes, some of them are so abandoned, as not to have a regular meal, or a sound night’s sleep, in a week.
At eleven Succus bids all good night, and parts in great friendship. He is presently in bed, and sleeps till it is time to go to the coffee-house next morning.
If you was to live with Succus for a twelvemonth, this is all that you would see in his life, except a few curses and oaths that he uses as occasion offers.
And now I cannot help making this reflection:
14. That as I believe the most likely means in the world to inspire a person with true piety, was to have seen the example of some eminent professors of religion: so the next thing that is likely to fill us with the same zeal, is to see the folly, the baseness, and poor satisfactions of a life destitute of religion. As the one excites us to love and admire the wisdom and greatness of religion; so the other may make us fearful of living without it.
For who can help blessing God for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory, when he sees what variety of folly they sink into, who live without it? Who would not heartily engage in all the labours of a pious life, when he sees what dull sensuality, what gross enjoyments they are left to, who seek for happiness in other ways?
So that whether we consider the greatness of religion, or the littleness of all other things, and the meanness of all other enjoyments, there is nothing to be found in the whole nature of things for a thoughtful mind to rest upon, but a happiness in religion.
15. Consider now with yourself, how unreasonably, it is pretended that a life of strict piety must be a dull and anxious state? For, can it with any reason be said that the duties of religion render our lives heavy and melancholy, when they only deprive us of such happiness as has been here laid before you?