I··94 Tbe Neceffity and Advantage. converfation with others, and on the other hand, the excellent in1proven1ent we rnay rnake of folitude and retirement, will ac– count it a good effect of affiietions, that th~y incline and difpofe us unto it. In con- · fidh·ing the evils of frequent converfation, ·we are not to profecute the groffer and more fcandalous vices of the tongue. It }night feetn a poor con1mendation of foli– tude and jilence, that a man is. not fwear.., i.ngor 1 ying, or fcolding, or 'talking profane– ly when he is alone: a n1an n1ay converfe enough, and keep hin1felf free frorn thefe. We rather chuTe to mention fuch evils as are wont to be lefs · noticed, and can be n1ore hardly avoided. And, firft, experience n1ay teach us all, that much converfation cloth ordinarily be:– get a remiifnefs and diifolution of fpirit; that it flacketh and relaxeth the bent of our minds, and difpofeth us to foftnefs and eafy con1pliances. We find it hard eno~gi~ at any time to con1pofe our fpirits to that frayednefs and feverity ·which religion cloth require: but if we be too much in com– pany with others, it is almo!l: impoffible to mantain it. That chearfulnefs and con1plaifance which is judged.neceffary to ren– der convcrfation agreeable, cloth eafily de- . generate
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