ever happy in that full and beatific vision we aspire after. Till this most blessed day break, and the shadows fly away, let thy Spirit be continually with us, and may we feel the powerful effects of his divine grace constantly directing and supporting our steps, that all our endeavours, not only in this society, but throughout the whole remaining part of our lives, may serve to promote the honour of thy blessed name, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. VOL. IV. EXHORTATIONS, &c. EXHORTATION I. WERE I allowed to speak freely what I sincerely think of most of the affairs of human life, even those that are accounted of the highest importance, and transacted with the greatest eagerness and bustle, I should be apt to say, "that a great noise is made about the merest trifles*:" but if you should take this amiss, as a little unseasonable upon the present occasion, and an insult upon your solemnity, I hope you will the more easily forgive me, that I place in the same rank, with this philosophical convention of yours, the most famous councils and general assemblies of princes and great men ; and say of their golden crowns, as well as your crowns of laurel," that they are things of no value, and not worth the purchasing t." Even the triumphal, inaugural, or nuptial processions of the greatest kings and generals of armies, with whatever pomp and magnificence, as well as art, they may be set off, they are, after all, so far true representations of * Magno conatu magnas nugas. + Καπνᾶ σκιᾶς ἐκ ἂν πριάιμην. |