Of Temperance. 43 exert itfelf to the full, and every affection and SERWr. inclination be gratified without reftraint ; for VI. they muft neceffarilyinterfere, as their ten den- r`.."-'1 cies in fome inftances are directly oppofite to each other. Now, it is impoffible for any one who attends to his own frame not to be con- vinced, that reafon and confcience ought to rule in him ; thefe are the powers which are fitted to have authority and to controul the inferior appetites and pafons ; then all things move in their proper fpheres and the ends of our being are regularly purfued. Other animals who have the fame appetites, and the fame pleafure of the external fenfes, without any moral capacities, purfue thofe gratifications without reftraint and without reproach. But mankind are univerfally con - fcious of a higher principle and a higher rule of action, and that a licentious indulgence of their appetites is unworthy of the prerogatives of their nature ; for fcarcely are any of them fo abandoned as not to be afhamed of it, and affect to conceal it, as contrary to honefty and decency. It is from this origin, that the moralifts very rationally deduce the obligation of tem- perance, or fobriety, which in its utmoft la- titude, and according to the molt compre- henfive
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