8.60 THE UNLAWFULNESS OF $ELr-MURDER. some of the natural consequences of their own crimes in this world. Now it is easier far to watch against those notorious crimes, and to avoid those follies, than when they are committed to guard our minds against the wicked suggestions that may arise. "A man in innocence," says a great writer, " has a mighty command over himself, above what he has when guilt and fear, shame, vexation, and remorse have taken a full posses- sion of him, have bewildered his thoughts, scattered his recol- lection, and enfeebled his judgment." Be just in your dealings with men, be sober and temperate in all your personal conduct. Do not indulge yourself in any unlawful and unblessed practices to swell and enlarge your estate, such as gaming or cheating. Do not run into any extravagan- cies of life, which may waste your estate or your health, or make inroadsupon your reason. A thief, a cheat, and a gamester, a covetous miser, and a spend-thrift, a glutton, and a drunkard, lie much exposed to such wicked suggestions of self murder in an evil hour. Watch against all enticements to luxury and lewdness Re- member that riot and adultery, and midnight scenes of debauch often lead the way to blood. Secret uncleanness is the frequent spring of murder ; and that not only of the unlawful offspring, but of the criminal parent too, and that by their own hands. Thewanton person cannot bear the just and public shame of his private iniquities, and he plunges himself headlong into hell and the grave, in hopes to cover his head from scandal and the day- light. Love not any thing in this world so much, as that the loss of it should throw you quite off your guard, and make you abandon yourself to wild and extravagant methods of relief. Let your affections be so subdued, and kept -in so good order, that the common calamities of life may not utterly confound, though they may surprise you. If you place your whole happiness in any of the attainments of this world, you expose yourselves to this bloody temptation, when you suffer the loss of those idols. Seta strictguard upon all the ruffling and disquieting pas- sions of human nature. Avoid envy, resentment, indignation, revenge, fretfulness and vexation of spirit. These often lead the unhappy mind of man into this temptation. Persons who break out into violent passion without check or controul, and give a loose to the wild and unreasonable disquietudes both of animal nature and of the mind, they expose themselves to he made the instruments of the devil in their own destruction, or perhaps to destroy themselves without any fresh influences from the tempter. Learn the practice of meekness, and maintain a strict hand over your sudden risings of resentment. 'flue man of rage is always nearto bloody practices The same sort of passions which ex-
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