1 i68 SER VI. wv Of Te,nperance. already mentioned, fays thus of himfelf, I fo run, not as uncertainly, and fo fight, not as one that beats the air; but I keep under my body and bring it into fubjeblion ; I exerçife fuch a difcipline over my appetites as to efta- blifh the dominion of my mind, and to be always in a difpofition for the works of vir- tue and charity, Nay, it is plain, from the ac, count he gives in that chapter and elfewhere, that he laid reftraints upon himfelf in the ufe even of things lawful, that he might fo ex- ercife his liberty, as to do what appeared molt expedient, that is, what, all circum- fiances confidered, might contribute molt to promote the honour and intereftof religion, and the good of his fellow- chriftians. I an afraid the precedent may be thought impro- per when men have got into a tafte of life very different from his ; and falfe notions of grandeur, politenefs, and even decency, have fo heightened the delire of delicacy in living, that it is look'd upon as a high pitch of virtue, to keep within the bounds of lawfulnefs it- felf. But, at leaft it will be allowed, fuch ge- nerous felf- denial was highly commendable, and then it may be hoped that fome chri- flians will be inclined to imitate it by a re- folved
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