those religious persons continue there with regret, and get out from thence, when they can, with joy.
I could wish we had establish'd Societies, where Gentlemen might commodiously retire, after they have done the publick all the service they were able. When they were once enter'd here, whether out of a consideration of their future state, a dislike of the World, or a desire of Tranquillity, after so many different agitations of fortune, they might taste the delight of a pious Retreat, and the innocent pleasure of virtuous and agreeable conversation: but in this place of repose, I would have no other Rules than those of Christianity, which are generally receiv'd every where. And indeed, we have ills enough to suffer, and sins to commit, without creating new torments, and new crimes, by new Institutions. 'Tis a piece of folly, to seek far from Court, a Retreat where a man will live with more hardship, and damn himself with more ease, than in the conversation of men.
I hate the austerity of those, who, to enlarge duty, leave no room for good-will: they make all center in the necessity of obeying, without any other reason, than constantly to exercise our obedience; and, because they still delight in enjoying their power. Now, I don't like subjection to their fancy; and am only for docility to a wise and discreet conduct. It is not reasonable, that the small remainder of liberty, which Nature preserves from the laws of Politicks and Religion, should be wholly lost in the Institutions of these new Legislators; and that persons who enter a Monastery, thro' the notion of ease and repose, should find nothing there but slavery and pain.
As for my self, were I in such a place, I would freely make shift without delights, at an age when a man's relish of pleasures is, as it were, extinguish'd; but then I would have all conveniences,
