Some Remains (hitherto unpublished) of Joseph Butler, LL.D. | Page 3

happiness of others by whomsoever effected, which last I call single or
simple Benevolence. How little there is of this in the world may appear
by observing, how many persons can bear with great tranquillity that a
friend or child should live in misery, who yet cannot bear the thought
of their death.
Good men surely are not treated in this world as they deserve, yet 'tis
seldom, very seldom their goodness which makes them disliked, even
in cases where it may seem to be so: but 'tis some behaviour or other,
which however excusable, perhaps infinitely overbalanced by their

virtues, yet is offensive, possibly wrong; however such, it may be, as
would pass off very well in a man of the world.

III.
Shall I not be faithful to God? If He puts a part upon me to do, shall I
neglect or refuse it? A part to suffer, and shall I say I would not if I
could help it? Can words more ill-sorted, more shocking be put
together? And is not the thing expressed by them more so, tho' not
expressed in words? What then shall I prefer to the sovereign Good,
supreme Excellence, absolute Perfection? To whom shall I apply for
direction in opposition to Infinite Wisdom? To whom for protection
against Almighty Power?
Sunday Evening, June 13, 1742.
Hunger and thirst after Righteousness till filled with it by being made
partaker of the Divine nature.
Ad te levo oculos meos, qui habitas in coelis. Sicut oculi servorum
intenti sunt ad manum dominorum suorum, sicut oculi ancillae ad
manum dominae suae; ita oculi nostri ad Deum nostrum, donec
misereatur nostri.
As all my passions and affections to my Reason such as it is, so in
consideration of the fallibility and infinite deficiencies of this my
Reason, I would subject it to God, that He may guide and succour it.
Our wants as Creatures: our Demerits as Sinners.
That I may have a due sense of the hand of God in every thing, and
then put myself into His hand to lead me through whatever ways He
shall think fit; either to add to my burden, or lighten it, or wholly
discharge me of it.
Be more afraid of myself than of the world.

To discern the hand of God in every thing and have a due sense of it.
Instead of deluding oneself in imagining one should behave well in
times and circumstances other than those in which one is placed, to
take care and be faithful and behave well in those one is placed in.
That God would please to make my way plain before my face, and
deliver me from offending the scrupulousness of any {11}, or if not, O
assist me to act the right part under it!

LETTERS.
I.
From a Copy formerly belonging to Dr. Birch, and now in the library at
the British Museum. [Add. MS. 4370.]
REV. DR.
'Twas but last night I received your letter from Gloucester, having left
that place three weeks since. It revived in my mind some very
melancholy thoughts I had upon my being obliged to quit those studies,
that had a direct tendency to divinity, that being what I should chuse for
the business of my life, it being, I think, of all other studies the most
suitable to a reasonable nature. I say my being obliged, for there is
every encouragement (whether one regards interest or usefulness)
now-a- days for any to enter that profession, who has not got a way of
commanding his assent to received opinions without examination.
I had some thoughts, Sir, of paying you my acknowledgments in person
for that surprising air of candour and affability with which you have
treated me in the Letters that have passed between us. But really I could
not put on so bold a face, as to intrude into a gentleman's company with
no other excuse but that of having received an obligation from him. I
have not the least prospect of ever being in a capacity of giving any
more than a verbal declaration of my gratitude: so I hope you'l accept
that, and believe it's with the utmost sincerity I subscribe myself,

Sir,
Your most obliged, most obedient humble servant,
J. BUTLER.
Hamlin's Coffee-house, Tuesday Morning.

II.
The original of this Letter with the answer, which is roughly written on
the blank leaf, is, I believe, now in the library of Oriel College, Oxford.
I am indebted for my copy to the kindness of the Rev. J. H. Newman,
D.D., formerly of that College.
REV. SIR,
I had long resisted an Inclination to desire your Thoughts upon the
difficulty mentioned in my last, till I considered that the trouble in
answering it would be only carrying on the general purpose