4$ IHUMIILITY REPRËSENTED. to know thyself, and to govern thy conduct and thy temper. Dó not over -rate thy own fancy or appetite, nor be too fond of thy own will. Be not violent in anyof thy desires : All thy inclina-' tiens and thy aversions to the indifferent and common things of life should be but feeble and indifferent : Do not thou imagine thyself worthy of such a profound subjection of the wills and humours of all mankind to thy own will and humour. Remem- ber, Omy soul, thou art upon a level with all other men in the world, in many more instances than those few things wherein providence has raised thee above them. III. Theman who has low thoughts of himself, is not ever in pain to publish his own excellencies, nor seeking to proclaim his own qualifications and ,honours. Though his zeal for God and his desire of the good (Amen forbid him to wrap his talents in. á napkin, yet you find him rather backward at first to appear, and not hasty and zealous to display himself. He hardly hears even the voice ofprovidence when it calls him forth to arise and shine. He is so fearful ofexaltation among the great, so sensible of Isis' own defects, and pays so much honour to his fellows, that he thinks many a one fitter to perform public offices than himself, and to sustain public honours. Less than the least is his motto, and therefore he often hides himselfas unworthy to be seen, and below the notice of the world. But if the world should happen to be sojust tomerit and vir- tue as to raise the humbleman from his obscure circumstances, and fix him in a point of light and honour, he shall be the last man that proclaims the justice which the world bath done him, and ascribes it all to the favour of God and man. He carries none 'of those meannesses abouthim by which little souls always' distinguish themselves, and betray and expose their folly ; for they are vainly fond of their own new title and character, and speedy in demanding due notice of it from others. This humble man practised the true sublime in his lower station, andyou see nothing exalted.in himnow, though his inward worth is rendered snore conspicuous. His friends and his kindred find him the sameman still. His garments of honour sit close about him and swell not his figure or appearance. His titles add nothing to his Own idea of himself, nor do they tempt him to assume anypar- culiar airs. He does not imagine that his opinions are now grown more sacred or more worthy to be imposed, nor does he give a loose to any of his passions with more freedom or sove- reignity. Before the hour of his advancement he was a diamond in a cabinet, and he shone at home and gave light and beauty to what was near him : Andnow he is the samejewel set in a pub- lic ornament of gold to glitter and give light to the world, but he owns that he borrows it all from heaven. Place him onhigh and displace him again, his constant business is to approve him- self to God and to remember that he is but a man.
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