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chafes against its finite bonds, which being enlarged a little, it feels free for a moment, and instantly grows up to them, to be chafed again. All that we get is good, but it is good, as food is, only for once eating; time and the expansion of the soul turn it to evil, compared with what it was.—What we urge is that inasmuch as we cannot have perfect freedom, it is better that we have our progression in a varied rather than a monotonous manner,—better to have pain and pleasure in some intensity than to have a lukewarm sensation between them,—better that we chafe in our bonds, and then have sudden liberty, than that in an even and regular manner we should insensibly expand,—better by this much: that the soul has a pleasure in change, even though it did not progress,—while it has pain in monotony, even though progressive.

God has placed all things at an infinite distance from his perfection, that he may make them happy by drawing them forever towards it. We retain the love of our existence in the consciousness of this transition state. Only that which is down can ever get up; only rising can keep the soul from wretchedness,—and it cannot rise to light without having darkness to rise from. Hunger is the seasoning of the feast; and pain is the foundation of all finite pleasure, as the lower stone supports the upper.

"Eterne alteration Now follows, now flies: And under pain pleasure, Under pleasure pain lies."

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