22-8 Self - government effential to Mifdom. á E x U. our determinations, till we have examined IX. and been fatisfied, concerning the motives upon which we a&. The more we have of this power, and exercife it, the more we are matters of ourfelves, and have rule over our own fpirits ; and that mind is impotent and without any defence againft fatal mifcondud, which a teth rafhly and indeliberately. But more particularly, to have the rule over our own fpirits, is, to keep the paffion$ under an exalt difcipline, and to reftrain their excefres. By the paífions are meant thole vehement fenfations and emotions, which accompany delire and averfion, the great fprings of adion in mankind. Ex- perience fheweth, that often flròng agita- tions of body, and violent perturbations of mind attend our purfuit of what is appre- hended to be good, and our averfion to, and endeavour to fhun evil. Thefe in their original defign, as planted in us by the wife and gracious Author of nature, are a very ufeful part of the conftitution, directing and ex- citing us to the vigorous ufe of proper means for our own prefervation and happinefs, to which men would not be generally deter- mined by calm reafon and delire. Concern-
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