504 , DOCTRINE OF THE PASSIONS. tore of anger and sorrow : They have too much of the child in them when they are grown to the stature of men. But while we show some pity to these infirmities of human nature, yet these passions, and this temper, should be called bytheir proper names, that is, a weakness of soul, which ought to be cured, and an ex- cessive love of self, which ought to be mortified. We must learn to go through the difficulties of life with a becoming courage, and a decent neglect of those littleoppositions or injuries whichother- wise will ever be breaking inupon our peace. 3. Learn and practise the art of self-denial, with regard to your appetites of every kind, and you will gain an easier go- vernment of your passions. Rule the flesh well, in order to rule the spirit. Passion has its chief seat in animal nature, and if the animal be brought under the yoke betimes, it will be more obedient to reason, and less susceptive ofirregular COOS- motions. Temperance is one of the first of virtues ; but a pam- pered appetite supplies new force, vigour and obstinancy toun- ruly passions. 4. Restrain your needless curiosity, and all solicitous en- quiries into things which were better unknown. Howmany plentiful springs of fear, sorrow, anger and hatred, have been found out and broken up by this laborious digging? Have a care of an over -curious search into such things as might have safely remained for ever secret, and the ignorance of them had prevented many foolish and hurtful passions. A fond solicitude to know all that our friends or our foes say of us, is often recom- pensed with vexing disquietude and anguish of soul. 5. Get a general benevolence to mankind rooted in your heart. This will keep you from being too selfish. It isfor the most part the selfish passions whichare immoderateand unruly. There is not somuch danger in those which arise from love to our neighbour. 6. Never let your passions determine your esteem or opinion of things or persons : These always bribe or bias the judgment to their own side, and thence it is evident, that they will often lead it astray. Whatsoever passion makes any representations of a thing, you must always make some grains of allowance ; for if it happen to be right in the main, yet it generally colours every thingtoo high and strong. It is therefore a matter of great im- portance to törm and settle your judgment of things and persons, which you have to to do with, in the calmest and serenest hours of life, and when youare free from the influence ofevery affec- tion ; and let these judgments be reserved as rules for your con- stant conduct inhnman life, that whensoever temptations appear, or when passion solicits your nature, and makes efforts to rise and reign, you may ever have some settled truths and rules of conduct ready at hand to govern it.
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