"The gracious Author of our Being hath therefore so formed us, that we are capable of many pleasing sensations and reflections, and meet with so many amusements and solicitudes, as divert our thoughts from dwelling upon an evil, which by reason of its seeming distance, makes but languid impressions upon the mind."
— Addison, Joseph (1672-1719)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for J. Tonson
Date
1730
Metaphor
"The gracious Author of our Being hath therefore so formed us, that we are capable of many pleasing sensations and reflections, and meet with so many amusements and solicitudes, as divert our thoughts from dwelling upon an evil, which by reason of its seeming distance, makes but languid impressions upon the mind."
Metaphor in Context
The prospect of death is so gloomy and dismal, that if it were constantly before our eyes, it would imbitter all the sweets of life. The gracious Author of our Being hath therefore so formed us, that we are capable of many pleasing sensations and reflections, and meet with so many amusements and solicitudes, as divert our thoughts from dwelling upon an evil, which by reason of its seeming distance, makes but languid impressions upon the mind. But how distant soever the time of our death may be, since it is certain that we must die, it is necessary to allot some portion of our life to consider the end of it; and it is highly convenient to fix some stated times to meditate upon the final period of our Existence here. The principle of self-love, as we are men, will make us enquire, what is like to become of us after our dissolution? and our conscience, as we are Christians, will inform us, that according to the good or evil of our actions here, we shall be translated to the mansions of eternal bliss or misery. When this is seriously weighed, we must think it madness to be unprepared against the black moment; but when we reflect that perhaps that black moment may be to-night, how watchful ought we to be!
(pp. 223-4)
(pp. 223-4)
Categories
Provenance
ECCO-TCP
Citation
27 entries in the ESTC (1730, 1733, 1742, 1745, 1751, 1753, 1755, 1758, 1759, 1761, 1763, 1764, 1766, 1767, 1772, 1776, 1777, 1790, 1791, 1792, 1795, 1796, 1799, 1800).
The Evidences of the Christian Religion: by the Right Honorable Joseph Addison, Esq; To which are added, Several Discourses against Atheism and Infidelity, ... Occasionally Published by Him and Others (London: Printed for J. Tonson, 1730). <Link to ECCO-TCP>
The Evidences of the Christian Religion: by the Right Honorable Joseph Addison, Esq; To which are added, Several Discourses against Atheism and Infidelity, ... Occasionally Published by Him and Others (London: Printed for J. Tonson, 1730). <Link to ECCO-TCP>
Date of Entry
08/18/2013
