An Inquiry whether a general Practice of Virtue tends to the Wealth or Poverty, Benefit or Advantage of a People? In which the Pleas offered by the Author of the Fable of the Bees, or, Private Vices, Publick Benefits, for the Usefulness of Vice and Roguery, are considered; with some Thoughts concerning a Toleration of Publick Stews. By the late Mr. Bluett. Pr. 2s. 6d.
The History of the Life and Sufferings of the Reverend and Learned John Wickliff, D. D. Warden of Canterbury Hall, and Publick Professor of Divinity in Oxford, and Rector of Lutterworth in Leicestershire, in the Reign of King Edward III. and Richard the II.; together with a Collection of Papers relating to the said History, never before Printed. By John Lewis, M. A. Minister of Margate in Kent.
The Church Catechism explained for the Use of the Diocese of St. Asaph. By the Right Reverend Father in God Will. Beveridge, D. D. late Bishop of St. Asaph. Sixth Edition.
The Faith and Practice of the Church of England-Man. The Ninth Edition. Price 4d.
Principles of the Cyprianic Age, with Regard to Episcopal Power and Jurisdiction, asserted and recommended from the genuine Writings of St. Cyprian himself, and his Contemporaries.
SOME
REFLECTIONS
UPON
MARRIAGE.
Curiosity, which is sometimes an Occasion of Good, but more frequently of Mischief, by disturbing our own or our Neighbours Repose, having induc’d me to read the Account of an unhappy Marriage, I thought an Afternoon would not be quite thrown away in pursuing such Reflections as it occasion’d. I am far from designing a Satire upon Marriage, as some pretend, either unkindly or ignorantly, through want of Reflection in that Sense wherein I use the Word.
One wou’d have thought that Cardinal Mazarine, whose Dignity, Power and Riches, render’d him so considerable in the Eyes of all Europe; and who, like most great Ministers, aim’d at nothing so much as the aggrandizing himself and his Family, and who wanted no Opportunities of doing it, should have taken his Measures so justly as not to be disappointed: At least, that a Fabrick rais’d with as much Art and Cost, founded in the Oppression, and cemented with the Blood of the People, should not so quickly have tumbled into the Dust after him. But so it is, Providence, whether we think of it or no, overrules our Actions and baffles our best-concerted Projects: So that unless we wilfully shut our Eyes, we cannot but discern, that when Men in Power and Honour leave God out of their Schemes, they have no Understanding, though their natural Genius be ever so bright, but are justly compared to the Beasts that perish. The Ignorant and Foolish succeed quite as well as the Worldly-wise, who carry nothing away with them when they die, neither will their Riches and Glory descend as they intended. It is only by generous and worthy Actions that we are rescued from Oblivion, or from what is worse, being remembred with Contempt and Execrations: So little Reason is there to envy any Man’s Wealth and Greatness, but much to emulate their Wisdom and Vertue whose Views extend to a more durable Felicity.