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SER M. taint of fuperftition, whofe gloomy horXIII. rors, taking poffeffion of weak and ill

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informed minds, convert what they mistake for religion, into a fource of mifery. Moreover, it is neceffary, that we be able to place truft in God, not only as our future Judge, but as the present Governor of human affairs. So uncertain is the continuance of every earthly comfort, that he, who reposes no confidence in the Supreme Difpofer of events, must be often difquieted and dejected. He alone poffeffes firm tranquillity, who, amidst all human viciffitudes, looks up, with fettled truft, to an almighty Ruler, as to one under whose conduct he is fafe. To him alone belongs that happy privilege, defcribed by the Pfalmift. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is fixed; trusting in the Lordt.

I have pointed out the primary and effential foundations of tranquillity; virtuous conduct, good principles, and pious difpofitions. At the same time, a man

4 Pfalm cxii. 7.

may

yet, SER M. XIII.

may be both pious and virtuous, and through some defects in the management of his mind and temper, may not poffefs that happy ferenity and selfenjoyment, which ought to be the portion of virtue and piety. Inftances of this will occur to every one who is acquainted with the world. We too often behold perfons, whofe principles, and whofe moral conduct, are in the main unexceptionable, leading an uncomfortable life; through fretfulness of temper, peevishness of manners, or fullenness of difpofition. There is, therefore, fome discipline to be studied; there are some fubfidiary parts of character to be attended to, in order to give piety and virtue their full effect for conferring tranquillity. To the confideration of these secondary means I now proceed, Let me then advise you,

In the third place, to attend to the culture and improvement of your minds. A fund of useful knowledge, and a stock

of

XIII.

SER M. of ideas, afford much advantage for the enjoyment of tranquillity. I do not mean, that every man must study to become deeply learned. The fituation of many would not allow it. The taste, and the habits of others,

prevent it.

But what I mean is, that every man who wishes to lead a comfortable life fhould provide for himself, as much as he can, by means of obfervation, reading, and reflecting, a large field of useful thoughts. In a mind abfolutely vacant, tranquillity is feldom found. The vacancy too often will be filled up by bad defires and paffions. Whereas the mind of a wife man is a kingdom to itself. In his lonely, or melancholy hours, he finds always refources within himself, to which he can turn for relief. As there are many occafions when external objects afford no pleasure, it is only by being able to reft on the entertainments afforded to himself by his mind, that any one can pafs his days with felf-enjoyment. Let me recommend for the fame purpose,

XIII.

In the fourth place, that we be always S ER M. careful to provide proper employment for our time. Regular industry and labour, with intervals of eafe, is perhaps the state moft conducive of any to tranquillity. If our ftation give no call to industry, it will be profitable that we study to have fome end or object in view, to which our attention fhall be directed. Relaxation from intense, or inceffant purfuit, is requifite for comfort. But if relaxation degenerate into total idleness, it becomes in a high degree adverse to tranquillity. Every man by his nature, is formed, more or less, for action. In a mind that is entirely quiescent, and that has no object to put it into motion, instead of self-enjoyment, there will be conftant languor, tedioufnefs, and mifery. Life ftagnates in fuch a fituation, like a pool of dead waters; and the man becomes a burden to himfelf. Violent and dangerous pursuits, which diftract and embroil those who are engaged in them, I cannot be understood to recommend. Every one fees how fo

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SER M. reign these are to a state of tranquillity.

XIII.

But in the ordinary tenor of calm and eafy life, I would advise every one to have fome end before him; fome object which shall bring the mind into action, and fill up the vacuities of time. Provided the object be innocent, and of no unsuitable or degrading nature, it may answer this purpose, though it should not be in itself of high importance. It is better for the mind to have fome determinate direction given it, than to be always left floating, as it were, in empty space. But about whatever objects we are employed, it is ftill more material to tranquillity that, in the

Fifth place, we learn to govern our paffions. These are the most frequent difturbers of our peace. Neceffary as their impulse is to give activity to the mind, yet if they are not kept in fubordination to reason, they speedily throw all things into confufion. Such of them as belong to the malignant and unfocial claís, evidently tend to produce vexation and difquiet. Against suffering these to

gain

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