casions occur, as they frequently do, it must be our Duty to deny ourselves, not only in our Pleasures and Inclinations, but even in our undoubted Rights; as for example, when the Peace, or any other important Concern of Society, demands it. Our Lord enjoins this Conduct upon us in his Sermon on the Mount, in the most impressive Manner.

MEEKNESS.

A mild, gentle Temper, free from Anger, Resentment, or Revenge, and patient under Injuries and Ill-Treatment, is a truly evangelical Virtue, highly recommended by our Saviour both by his Precepts and Example. His Direction, that "when we are smitten on one Cheek we turn the other," though probably a figurative Expression, shows us in a striking Manner, that he meant to enjoin a very high Degree of Meekness, and Forbearance. This Virtue may sometimes expose a Man to Insults and injurious Treatment from the Rude, Ill-informed, or Haughty; but it is a happy Temper, and richly repays the Possessor for all Inconveniences and Mortifications to which it exposes

him.

HUMILITY is a Christian Virtue, Sister to Meekness, and is spoken of in Scripture, as consisting of Lowliness of Mind and a Disposition to esteem others better than ourselves, and is recom

mended

and, in short, whenever we can probably do more Good either to ourselves or others by denying ourselves, than by Gratification, it is our Duty to abstain. For our Lord has told us, that those who would come after him must deny themselves, take up their Cross and follow him.

IRASCIBILITY, CAPTIOUSNESS, RESENTFULNESS. All these are odious Qualities, which ought to be avoided by every one, who wishes to be beloved or esteemed. They are immoral and unchristian; they make us disagreeable Companions, and bad Neighbours; and by Indulgence, destroy our internal Peace.

Some Persons are, by their Constitutions, prone to fall into violent Paroxysms of outrageous Anger. Every one of this unhappy Propensity ought strenuously to exert all his Powers to conquer it, lest in some unguarded Moment, he commit some desperate Act, which may prove fatal to his Peace forever. The first instant the Emotion is perceived, it must be attended to and suppressed.

AMBITION,

VANITY, HIGH-MINDEDNESS, HAUGHTINESS, PRIDE. Pride and Haughtiness are peculiarly odious to the Deity, and offensive to Man they show such an overweening Conceit of ourselves, and such superlative Contempt for others,

as

mended and enforced by the Example of our Lord. It implies a proper Sense of our own Imperfections, and a Willingness to acknowledge the Superiority of others. Humility is modest, meek, benevolent, condescending and accommodating. It is peculiarly conducive to the Tranquillity and Happiness of the World, and is no ways inconsistent with Christian Fortitude and Resolution, or any other Quality, worth the Acquisition of the virtuous Man. This is a Virtue indeed of little Estimation with Men of the World; but the Temper it produces is much recommended in the Gospel, which assures us that, "He who humbleth himself shall be exalted." There is no Man, however wise or good he may be, or how highly soever the World may think of him, who upon a calm Retrospection of his past Life, will not find many Failures in his Conduct, which ought to teach him Humility.

MODEST ASSURANCE is a most useful Qualification, as it enables us to behave with becoming Firmness, Decency, Propriety, and Dignity in the Company we associate with, and in our Intercourse and Commerce with the World. The Disposition here recommended is equally remote from Impudence or Arrogance, on the one Hand, and Timidity or Bashfulness, on the other. It is one of the most useful Endowments for any one who has

much

as makes our Company disagreeable and disgusting, and our Behaviour insupportable; and the Contempt we show for others, is frequently returned upon us with Interest, for there is no Temper which the World is more disposed to mortify. It should seem that Pride was given us to prevent our doing mean, low, and disgraceful Actions. But how apt are we to forget this, its genuine Office! For Experience shows, that there is no Passion that more frequently leads to low, contemptible Behaviour. Vanity is a Vice of light, superficial Minds, and as it leads to Extravagance, by a Fondness for Pomp and Show, is a frequent Source of much Unhappiness; and is never approved, but by those few who are immediately benefitted by its Excesses. This Class of Vices is odious in the Sight of God. For "He resisteth the Proud, but giveth Grace to the Humble." Ambition has sometimes, perhaps, been useful, but when in Excess and uncontroulled, it has done Mischief beyond any Affection of the human Heart.

BASHFULNESS, SHAMEFACEDNESS, IMPUDENCE. These are faulty, and sometimes even vicious, when we suffer them to interfere with our Duty, and prevent the Performance of virtuous Actions, as they sometimes do. They are, however, constitu

tional

much Business in active Life.

When a Man has the perfect Possession of himself, and can command and avail himself of all the Powers of his Mind with Ease and Freedom, he will not be easily put off, or turned aside from the Object of his Pursuit; and it gives him great Advantage in the Prosecution of all important Concerns.

FORETHOUGHT. A prudent Foresight, looking forward upon the Prospect of Life which lies before us, and laying Plans for our future Conduct, is the bounden Duty of every one, and more especially of those in early Life. Such should first consider their own Character and Capacities, and what Department of Society they are best fitted for, and most likely to fill with Reputation, and to be the most useful in, for these Considerations are important to their Happiness; and next, their Situation, that is, what Position it is probable in their Power, to place themselves; then, their Taste, for unless a Person have a Predilection for a particular Profession, whatever his Capacity may be, it is most probable he will never excel. Every prudent Man, therefore, before he takes any important Step, in which his Welfare is involved, will view the Subject on all Sides with Calmness, and not suffer his Passions to interfere in the Matter, and he will most commonly succeed. But let him not be too sanguine, for every

Day's