Abernathy - Houston-Packer Collection BX9178.A33 S4 1748 v.3

Wifdom the Strength of the Mind. 9S the fame complexion with that which fet- S E R M. teth it a work ; frightful ones, when we are IV. under the power of fear ; melancholy, when J grief is prevalent ; and images of provocations received, and mifchief to be done in return, during the impetuofity of anger. idly, As thefe imaginations railed in the mind by the influence of paffion, are not the proper diretors of our condu ±, the pre- valence of them, and their multiplicity, ac- companied with darknefs, co- nfufion, and tumult, produce irrefolution, inftability, and fatal precipitation. The mind, if it deter - mineth itfelf at all, doth it upon flight grounds, or fish as are not duly and ma- turely weighed, and therefore rafhly ; the confequence of which is unfteddinefs ; for if we form a purpofe upon the imagination or fuggeftion of a paffion which happeneth to be uppermoft, having no fore ground, it . quickly changeth, and fo doth the purpofe with it. But, for the molt part, the mind is in fufpenfe, not knowing what to refolve ; it looketh on the right hand and on the left, and can fee nothing but uncertainty. I think every one muff be convinced that this, indeed, is weaknefs, and exceedingly uncom- fortable ; the foul is rendered, in a great meafure,

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=