290 ON THE CORRUPTION robbery not found, yet the inborn prin., ciple is the same in all. Circumstances, rank, education, example, society, reputaL tion, give advantages to one class, which, had they changed places, might have led to thevices so common in theother; while, had the notorious offenders against the laws and the Divine Law-giver, changed situations with their superiors, we ,should then have- heard only of their imperfec- tions, their infirmities, their frailties. Temptation does not make the sin, it lies ready in the heart. Accident does not create the propensity, it only brings it into action. It destroys the plea of exemption from natural corruption, but it does not put that corruption into the heart. It was there before, ready, with- out the-grace of God, ready, without the restraint of religion, ready, without the bridle of an enlightened conscience, to break out into any excess. Yet there are many flagrant offences against God and against human laws, which the high- born and -the high-bred frequently corn-
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