IUD o Wifdom the Strength of the Mind. SE R M. confcioufnefs; and certainly it is reproachful IV. for a man to be a ftranger to himfelf and to ` what paffeth in his own mind. Let us, then, try what equanimity we maintain in the changes of life ; do our fpirits rife and fall with every varying emergent ? Do our fears and hopes, our joys and for- rows, depend on the fmiles and frowns of this world, fo as in threatning or adverfe turns of providence, the underftanding is darkened, the counfels are perplexed, courage faileth and refolution becorneth unffable ? If it be fo, the conftitution of the mind is weak, and there is a great defect of wifdom. As I am perfuaded every one who is ac- quainted with himfelf will find thefe fymp- toms in a degree to be regretted, you may fee what the caufe is, and what would be the cure. Have we not juft caufe to bewail the imperfection of our integrity and all the religious virtues ? If by a vigorous zeal and confiant diligence in them we were growing up from feeble infancy to the ftature of per- fect men, we fhould find the advantage of it, in a prefence and tranquillity of mind efta- hlifhed above the reach of time and chance. Security and confidence doth fo naturally fpring from virtue, that whoever hath any juft s,
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