Wifdom the Strength of the Mind. 87 fònable nature. In the fudden approaches S ER M. of difficulty, the mind is filled with con- 1V. íternation, which darkeneth the underftand- """`' ing, and confoundeth the a &ive powers ; and under the preffures of afiliéfion and the reveries of what is commonly called fortune, it is feeble and unrefolved. It muff be ac- knowledged that a defence againft thefe evils would be very defirable ; if there be any fuch thing at all to be attained as a juff fecurity and confidence of mind on a ra- tional foundation, who would not pure-hate it at any rate, that Peeing- it is not poffible to prevent outward changes, we may at leaft prevent their difmal inward effects, and pof- fefs a confiant equanimity, an uniform peace and Ready refolution in our fouls ? And this, I think, Solomon doth in his book of Pro- erbs, among other great advantages, at- tribute to wifdom or religious virtue ; par- ticularly in the text, where he faith, A wile man is flrong, yea a man cf knowledge in- creafeth flrength. No one will imagine that it is bodily ftrength which is here meant, which bath no conne6tion at all with wifdom (a fool, or a wicked man, may have more brutal force than the wifeft and the heft of man - G 4 kind
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