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extremely apt to run wild, and we suffer our Imaginations to range through the boundless Wilds of Nature, without Regulation and without Restraint; but we must remember, that for all this we must give an Account. When a Person suffers any strong Impression to possess his Mind, without reflecting what may be its moral Tendency, he lays himself open to every Vice and Folly; indeed to every Crime. "Then guard your Heart on that

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weak side, where most your Nature fails." of our present Happiness, as well as Virtue, depends upon the due Regulation of our Thoughts.

There are numerous Instances of Persons who have lost the Faculty of governing their Thoughts, and who have become totally deranged, by indulging the Contemplation of, and dwelling too long upon, the same Object; and this is probably the most frequent Cause of that most deplorable State, to which the human Mind can be reduced. And a stronger Inducement to the duly regulating of our Thoughts, independently of moral and religious Considerations, cannot be offered, than the Dread of Insanity.

INTEMPERANCE, SENSUALITY. Every Instance of Intemperance is faulty: but when it becomes habitual, by frequent Indulgence, more especially in Drinking, it is then one of the most deplorable Vices. It blunts our Sensations, stupifies the Understanding,

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the Purposes for which they were given us. It conduces to our Health, Wealth, Respectability, and Happiness; and is a necessary Part of Selfgovernment. It is much recommended in the Gospel, and it is our Interest as well as our Duty. For the Man of temperate Habits is always fit for Action; his Mind is clear, and his Body free.from Languor or Oppression, and he enjoys his Faculties in Vigour; and the same Disposition will enable him to moderate his Passion, and prevent him from giving a Loose to any violent and inordinate Sallies, or outrageous Conduct.

FORTITUDE.

That Firmness of Character, or fixed Determination of Mind, joined with an approving Conscience,* which animates a Man to undertake, and pursue with Vigour, a Course of Virtue, notwithstanding all Opposition; which enables him to bear Misfortunes and Ill-success without Depression of Spirits; and to resist Temptations to Vice, however alluring; is a high-toned Virtue, and will carry him through Life, with the Approbation of his own Heart, and with dignified Reputation. Such a Fortitude is a manly, heroick and truly Christian Virtue, and is recommended to us by the Example of our Saviour, and his Apostles, who, in the Cause of Truth, resisted all Opposition, and suffered

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* Mens sibi conscia recti.

derstanding, clogs the Wheels of Life, renders us inattentive to its Duties, is destructive of all Morals, produces Pains and Sickness, and frequently premature Death.

One might suppose that these Considerations were sufficient to deter any one from falling into this most pernicious Vice. But we too frequently see Persons, even of good Characters, who fail in this Particular, to the utter Extinction of every Virtue. Vigilance in this Respect then is necessary through Life. Let him that standeth, take heed lest he fall, for daily and melancholy Experience fully shows us that there is no Vice so difficult to shake off, when it has once become habitual.

WANT OF ENERGY, TIMIDITY, IMBECILITY. Strength of Character, when not directed by Reason and Virtue, is so far from being commendable, that it is one of the most pernicious Qualities. For when it is joined with dishonest, malicious, ambitious, or any other bad Dispositions, it converts Men into determined Villains, or ferocious Desperadoes, or inexorable Tyrants, to the Annoyance and Disturbance, and sometimes to the Destruction of Societies. And though Timidity or Imbecility of Character, is never held in high Estimation, yet Persons of this Turn of Mind, may, and often do, make useful, quiet and peaceable Members of Society, and

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suffered Reproaches and Contempt, Stripes and Imprisonments, and Death itself, rather than abandon the Cause of God, and the Good of Mankind in the Propagation of Christianity. They, indeed, had a supernatural Support, which we must not expect in our ordinary Course; but still it is our Duty, and within our Ability, to oppose Vice with our whole Force, in whatever Form it may appear. But unless a Man be naturally endowed with a considerable Firmness of Nerve, it is to be feared he will never make any great Advances in this Virtue, though much may be achieved by Exertion and Effort.

RESOLUTION. This is that Disposition of Mind which is necessary to carry a Man through all Opposition, to the Attainment of his Object. Every one should deliberately and maturely consider, not only what Course of Life he ought to pursue, in order to promote his best Interest and obtain his greatest Happiness; but also the probable Consequence of every important Step he is about to take. And having fully made up his Mind, he should promptly and steadily pursue his Determination, against all Opposition or Temptation, valiantly resisting Dangers of every kind, whether physical or moral, and he will generally find his Exertions re

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good Neighbours, and be as much more beloved and valued than those of the Character just mentioned, as Peace and Harmony are preferable to Quarrels and Contentions.

The timid Man, if prudent, will, as much as possible, avoid all Occasions or Scenes of Action, that demand energetic Exertions, and thus escape those Inconveniences, to which his Want of Firmness might expose him.

IRRESOLUTION, INDECISION. To weakness of this description, some Persons, to their Misfortune, are, by their Constitutions, unhappily prone. But they are Frailties which every wise Man will wish and endeavour to correct. They expose us to many Inconveniences. The Irresolute are easily turned aside by Temptations; Opposition frequently puts an End to all their Efforts; and they give up a Cause, in which they might have succeeded, had they been determinately resolute.

Indecision is an unhappy Frailty, to which some are subject. They cannot fully determine, under a long Time, what Course to take; and when they have come to any Determination, their Resolution is too weak to carry any important Purpose into Effect. It may often be for the advantage of one of this Description, to avail himself of the Advice of some judicious Man, whose Character is more decided.

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