SECTION IV. 51 all of them can ever pretend to. Boasting of one's self in the judgment of a great apostle is so foolish a thing, that when wis- dom itself requires him to practise it, he is quite ashamed of it, andalmost expects that be shall be taken for a fool. It is the sentiment ofa very famous French anther, Mr. Paschal, that "true philosophy teaches men to be humble, to conceal self, to banish the word I, for the most part, out ofour conversation ; but christianity and the gospel have nullified and destroyed it." Yet alas! what would some persons have to say in company, if you cut off from their lips the beloved theme of self ? What could they find to talk of, ifyou debarred them of all the language of pride and envy ; the language of pride wherein self is perpetually exalted, and the language ofenvy wherein their neighbours are lessened and reproached. IV. The man who has a low opinionof himself is not so often affronted : he does not so easily take offence ; and when . he meets with real disgrace and contempt, he does not feel so sharp and painful a sensation of it, as galls the heart of the sons of pride. He can bear with more ease that others should think meanly of him, because he first thinks meanly of himself : He is much better fitted to go through the world where every one must meet with some trials and some reproaches : He learns to bear the scandal of the world with a happy indiffe- rence, because he is not so solicitous about their applause : He does not lie so much exposed to disquieting passions by any inroads made upon his honour and fame, because he has a low esteem of himself, and is content without fame and honour. But the proud and vain creatures who are full of self and have a high esteem of their own persons and their qualifications, you can hardly speak either to them or of them, but you affiont them, unless it be done in a flattering and submissive manner : and some are so.humoursome in their pride, that the very manner of this submission must be polite and fashionable, must be agree- able to their fancy, or else they are affronted and their choler is. raised. The man of vanity imagines hischaracter and his figure so exalted, as though he liad a right to claim honour from all around him ; and upon this account he has an unhappy right to assumd to himself moreaffronts than others, and to vex himself with many resentments above and beyond his neighbours : The idea of his own quality entitles him to it. " Well, let the vain man swell thus with his own idea, his grandeurs and his honours, let himmaintain and exercise this painful and vexatious prerogative of continual resentment, while the God of heaven fills myheart withhumility andpeace. Then shall I stand aloof from these honourable follies, and be delivered n2
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