SECT. Itr.1 IN REGARD OF 41EN. 4b3" jealous of every thing that opposes our opinion, that censures our conduct, or in the most friendly language discovers Cur mistakes : Passion and resentment areever upon the watch and stand ready to take the alarm : the eyes and the tongue are swift to discover the inward fen* ment, to publish and betray the pride of the heart. Q that each of us would but honestly enquire, " Is this my picture ? Are these the features of my soul ? Igo I ever wear this aspect, or assume these airs?" But alas, which of us, O my friends, is entirely innocent and blameless here ? How few follies had any of us carried into aged life, if we had not had toa much pride and self-flattery tp invite and encourage the admonitions of our acquaint- ance, who saw these budding fooleries in younger years ? But we were too rich, or too wise, or too vain to bear a reprover; and thus our vices are grown up with us to shame our grey hairs, and are now too much mingled with our natures ever to be rooted out. While we maintain this temper of mind, it is no won- der we cannot bear the ruder reproaches of the world, nor confine ourselves in that dangerous moment within any bounds of sobriety or patience. We kindle on a sudden into undue rage, we swell and burn with inward indignation and indulge our lips in a wild revenge : Or sometimes perhaps the pride of our souls mingled with a particular constitution of body sinks under the assaults of scandal with a shameful cowardice, and almost dies with abjectness of spirit ; for courage is not always au attendant upon pride : The vain man is not always a hero. Ohunhappy creature, that is thus galled inwardly with every stroke of the tongues of men ! That vexes and frets its own peaceaway for want of clue honours from the world ! All the comforts and blessings of life are insipid or disrelishing, all the grandeur of circumstances, the sun-shine of heaven, and the gaietyof the seasons, have no power to relieve or support us. The soul of Haman amidst all his honours of state and his endless treasures is still pining away with inward vexation, and his life lan- guishes from day to day, because Mordecai does not rise up. to him and pay his compliments. Have a care, Omy soul, ofcopyingafter this wretched character : have a care of swelling to these painful 2 I 3
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