482 DOCTRINE OF TILE PASSIONS. Remember also, among the affairs of religion,to set the ne- . cessary truths and dutiesof it in your esteem, above all the unne- cessary opinions, the modes, and forms, and appendices ofit; and moral laws above positive institutions. Again, among the things that belong to this world, and our present welfare, make a wise distinction between the neces- saries of life, and the conveniences of it, between the supports of life and the ornaments, between the real blessings of life, and the imaginary ones, between the business of life and the amuse- ments of it, between the duties and the diversions : Form your judgment about all these things, at such seasons when you are calm and sedate, and free from the influence of any passion ; and accordingto the rank of worth or goodness, in which your unbiassed reason has placed all these things in your esteem, let ytiur actions of life be conducted, and all your passions be regu- lated thereby. SECT. XVII.Preservatives against the Irregular Exercise of some Particular Passions. 2. The second thing which I propose in order to regulate the passions, was to exhibit some special truths, and some particular rules, with which the mind should be ever furnished, against the excess or irregularity of particular and dangerous passions. But I shall not set all these truths and the rules in different ranks, since many ofthe rules are but a consideration of some proper truths. The particular passions to which our naturesare very prone, and which lead us often far astray from virtue, piety, and happi- ness, are chiefly these, viz. pride in ourselves, and scorn of others, malice and envy against our neighbour, excessive love and fondness of particular obJects, fear and sorrow, anger and revenge. Some of these are to be prevented or suppressed en- tirely, viz.pride, malice, envy, revenge; othersmust be governed by the principles of reason and religion, viz. fear, anger, sorrow, &c. If we can regulate all these wisely, it will go a great way toward a pious and happy life. And if we wouldallow ourselves once a year to read over the following sections ofthis book, which contain rules for the exercise and due government of our pas- sions, perhaps, we should not complain of lost labour, nor regret the hours spent in such a review of matters which ought to be kept in perpetual practice ; and which relate to our peace and happiness throughthe whole course of this life, and our prepara- tion for a better. SECT. XVIII.Rules to subduePride and Scorn. 1. Think often what you were, and what you shall be. Con- sider what you were. What was your original different from
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