t33 Of the proper Improvement S E R M. derately indulged, force grow to a faulty ex- X. refs, fo that they obtain an afcendant in the "'") mind, forming its temper, while others are neglected, nay, induftrioufly weakened, and the objects of them avoided, which are no lets, perhaps more fuitable to our condition, and ufeful to the main ends of life. This is the cafe of forrow and mirth, the due ballance of which makes a proper conftitu- tión of temper well fitted to our prefent )(late, and an overgrowth of either is hurt- ful. As here we have a mixture of good (I mean natural good) and evil, we are called to grief and joy alternately, avoiding ex- tremes of both. Excefi'ive forrow diflipates the vigour and compofure of the mind, takes away the relifh of our enjoyments, not ex- cepting the higheft and bell of them, and will greatly indifpofe us for our duty in force of the molt important inftances ; but the error of multitudes lies on the other fide; their light and fluttering fpirits have no tafle for any thing but what is gay and mirthful ; by habit this grows to an utter impotence of mind, and a perfet averfion to every thing which has a fad appearance, or is fo much as grave and ferious : Now this is no way agreeable to the )(late of man upon earth ;
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=