5o The Life of GOD n1iring then1felves, becaufe of fome petty attainments. Noble and well educated fouls have no fuch high opinion of riches, beauty, ftrength, and other fuch like ad- · vantages, as to value themfelves for them, or defpife thofe that,.. want them. And as for inward worth, and real goodnefs, the fenfe they have of the divine perfect:iops, 1nakes them think very meanly of any thing they have hitherto attained; and be ftill endeavouring to furn1ount themfelves, and make nearer approaches to thofe infi– nite excellencies whieh they admire. I know not what -thoughts people n1ay have of humility; but I fee almoft every pedon pretending to it, and ihunning fuch expreffions and aCtions, as may make them be accounted arrogant and prefumptuous; fo that thofe who are moft defirous of praife, will be loth to commend then1felves. What are all thofe compliments and modes , of civility, fo frequent in our ordinary converfe, but fo many protefiations of the efl-cem of others, and the low thoughts we have of ourfelves ~ And n1ufl: not that humility be a noble and excellent endow– n1ent, when the very fhadows of it are accounted fo necdfary a part of good breeding? Again., _
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=