PRS)" ACP To Humility Represented, in the Character of St. Paul, 4c, IHope there will be somethingfound in these papers which is suited to rectify the vicious disorders of the mind, to subdue the foolish vanity of hu- .1»an nature, and promote a meek andhumble spirit: ButI am sure,they can have no such influence, while they continue to sleep in a desk where they have lain many years already. .If the divine grace shall so far attend the the publication ofthem now, as to make them attain these happyends, my duty will bethankfulness-and praise. While I bane endeavoured to trace out the prideofthe heart in the vari- onsandgeneral appearances of it both in higher and lower life, I have care- fully avoided the particular description of anyperson living. By this means my representation oftrue humility in the moral and religious springs and ad- vantages of it, together with some views of the opposite vice, may have a more kindlyand powerful effect upon every reader. Conviction and reproof are much better received when such hints only are given, as inaylead consci- ence insecret to search outthe criminals, and may teach them toset theirown folly and guilt and danger before themselves. We all like to do this work best in retirement and silence. And I hopemy readers will be so kind and so just bothto themselves and to me, as to be more diligent in the discovery and cure of any weakness of their own, than in pointing out censure for their neighbours : though it most be confessed these is sufficient matter for it in every corner of theworld. Surely if we could but look down upon mankind with an all- surveyingeye as the great God doth, we should see a dreadful and universal spread of this vice of pride over all the race of man, and an infinite number of mischiefs derived from it, and diffused through kingdoms and churches, through all human societies and personal affairs. Had wesuch a view as this, one would think every son and daughter of Adam should labour nightand day to root out this cursed and poisonous plant, till not a branch or fibreof it remained to infect the earth. Pride was the ruin ofangels: Pride was the fall ofman : "Ye shall be as Gods," was the great temptation, and the event is we are become like devils : Nor loth the array of flesh and blood whichwe wear, cover our shame or excuse our iniquity. God has sent his Son Jesus into the world in the likeness of man, and in all the formsof humiliation, that he might teach us by his word and his ex- ampleto be meek and lowly, and shew us how to regain the divine favour and image, by laying the foundation of his gospel and of our recovery in humility of soul : Blessed are thepoor in spirit, for theirsis the kingdom ofheaven ; Mat. v. 3. And next to his own Son, God has set his servant Paul for our pattern, who calls himself, less than the least ofall the saints, and persuades us to befollowers ofhim as he isof Christ. I have not drawn out at large here the particular rules anddirections for acquiring these lovely virtues ofchristian humility and meekness, having written so many chapters of advice how to subdue pride and wrath and other vices in my little Treatiseof the Passions, and to these I refer my readers under the divine blessing. Newington, March 25, 173%.-
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