7z The Caufes and Danger of Self Deceit. SERM. imagination of the firmer as generofity; am- III. bition as a laudable greatnefs of fpirit ; and 'covetoufnefs paffes for prudent frugality; and generally men are deluded into real wicked - nefs, at leafs fupport themfelves in it, by the falfe difguife of fomething praife-worthy. But if this be too palpable an abfurdity to pals up- on the minds of men, as in many cafes it is, their next fhift is to leffen their favourite vices into tolerable infirmities. It is a principle generally received, and if rightly underflood, it is a true one, that fome failures will always cleave to us while we are in this imperfect fiate ; x there is not a juf man that liveth upon the earth and finneth not ; but the error lies in diminifhing a wilful fin, even habitually indulg'd, fo as to make it pafs with the de- luded mind for fuch a weaknefs as is confif- tent with fincerity in the main, which cer- tainly is an inflance of the groffeft partiality. To this is added, as partly, an excufe where- with men hide from their own eyes the ma- lignity of their tranfgreffions, that temptations are very violent, and their own ability to refiít but fmall ; they arc frail creatures ; and this is charg'd to the fcore of nature which made them fo; or of providence which placed them Eeelef vii. zo. in
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