SUCTION IV. 43 wish 1 Every nation of christendom has felt the infection and the mischief. Even the old idol at Rome with all his infal- libility and thunder could scarcely demand more sovereignty over our belief than the positive men of our age even in the land of liberty. But to proceed, 'What is it but our pride that breaks in upon the discourse of many a wiser person than ourselves ? We are impatient to set forth our own talents of talking,, and at the 'saine time to publish our arrogance and shame, and perhaps our nonsense too. Truth and merit are often modest; while ignorance and folly sound their trumpet, and the brass will make itself heard while gold and jewels shine in silence. Again, What is it but this fulness of self that makes persons so unable to bear the least contradiction, even in the common affairs of life ? They grow pale with anger or kindle into rage when any of their sentiments are opposed ; they feel the inward ferment working and boiling up when their neighbour dares to be of another mind: And it is seldom that they have power or inclination to conceal their resentment : It ge- nerally boils over at their lips and betrays the secret fire. Some passionate speech, some wrathful word or other breaks from their tongue and gives notice of their impatience and high displeasure. What is all this but the fruit of pride and self - sufficience ? If men had a lower esteem -of themselves, they would not always maintain such a full assurance that truth and jus- tice are ever on their side. By this assuming behaviour they forbid all instruction, they stop all the avenues of reason and knowledge, by which further light might enter into their souls and rectify any mistaken sentiment.. There is no. man lies so far out of the road of illumination and true wisdom, as he that is already very sure his opinions are all sun-bearas; Prov. xxvi. 12. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit, there is more hope of afool than of him. It is with secret, pleasure and inward esteem that I have often read those four lines which that excellent man doctor John Owen wrote under his own effigies. " Umbra refert fragilesdederint quascura dolorque Reliquias, studiis assiduusque labor. Mentem humilem sacri servantem limina veri Votis supplicibus qui dedit, ille videt." Which may be rendered thus in English. " This shadow shews the frail remains Of care and grief and studious pains. The mind in humble posture waits A snppliant at truth's sacred gates, To find some gleams of light appear, And he that gave it, sees it there."
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