When the human mind dwells attentively and long upon any subject, the passions are apt to grow enthusiastic, interested, and warm; and the understanding which they ought to obey, they often force into their service.

Some years after, being released from prison, by reason of his consummate knowledge of civil law, and of military affairs, he was exalted to the supreme power.

The discontented man (as his spleen irritates and sours his temper, and leads him to discharge its venom on all with whom he stands connected,) is never found without a great share of malignity.

We cannot doubt but all the proceedings of Providence will appear as equitable, when fully understood and completely intelligible, as now they seem irregular.

All that great wealth gives more than a moderate fortune, generally is, more room for the freaks of caprice, and privilege for ignorance and vice; of flatteries a quicker succession, and a larger circle of voluptuousness.

The miscarriages of the great designs of princes are recorded in the histories of the world, but are of little use to the bulk of mankind who seem very little interested in records of miscarriages which cannot happen to them.

Were there any man who could say, in the course of his life, that he had never suffered himself to be transported by passion, or had ever given just ground of offence to any one, such a man might, when he received from others unreasonable treatment have some plea for impatience

Christianity will, at some future period, influence the conduct of nations as well as individuals. But this will be, through its greatest probability its latest triumph for this can be only brought about through the medium of private character: and therefore

R

will be not rapid in its progress, and visible at every step; but gradual, and visible when considerable effects only have been produced.

The British constitution stands, like an ancient oak in the wood, among the nations of the earth: which, after having overcome many a blast, overtops the other trees of the forest, and commands respect and veneration.

SECT. VI.

Key, p. 150.

WHAT an anchor is to a vessel amidst a boisterous ocean, on a coast unknown, and in a dark night, that is the hope of future happiness to the soul, when beset by the confusions of the world: for in danger, it affords one fixed point of rest; amidst general fluctuation, it gives security.

. Our pride and self conceit, (by nourishing a weak and childish sensibility to every fancied point of our own honour and interest, while they shut up all regard to the honor or interest of our brethren, render us quarrelsome and contentious.

If there be any first principle of wisdom, it undoubtedly is this: the distresses that are removable, endeavour to remove; bear with as little disquiet as you can, the distresses which cannot be removed: comforts are to be found in every situation and condition of life; having found them, enjoy them.

Instead of aspiring farther than your proper level, bring your mind down to your state; lest you spend your life in a train of fruitless pursuits, by aiming too high, and at last bring yourself to an entire state of insignificance and contempt.

Often have we seen, that what we considered as a sore disappointment at the time, has proved to be a merciful providence in the issue; and that it would have been so far from making us happy, if what we once eagerly wished for had been obtained, that it would have produced our ruin.

Can the stream continue to advance, when it is deprived of the fountain? Can the branch improve, when taken from the stock which gave it nourishment? Dependent spirits can no more be happy, when parted from all union with the Father of spirits, and the fountain of happiness.

Prosperity is redoubled to a good man, by means of the generous use which he makes of it; and it is reflected back upon him by every one whom he makes happy: for, in the esteem and good-will of all who know him, in the gratitude of dependents, in the attachment of friends, and the intercourse of domestic affection, he sees blessings multiplied round him on every side.

Whoever would pass, with honour and decency, the latter part of life, must consider when he is young, that one day he shall be old; and remember that when he is old, he has once been young: he must lay up knowledge in youth for his support, when his powers of acting shall forsake him; and forbear to animadvert in age, with rigour, on faults which experience can alone correct.

Let us consider that youth is of no long duration: and that when the enchantments of fancy in maturer age shall cease, and phantoms no more dance about us, we shall have no comforts but wise men's esteem, the approbation of our hearts, and the means, of doing good: and let us live as men that are to grow old some time, and to whom of all evils it will be the most dreadful, to count their years past only by follies, and to be reminded of their former luxuriance of health, by the maladies only which riot has produced.

will be not rapid in its progress, and visible at every step; but gradual, and visible when considerable effects only have been produced.

The British constitution stands, like an ancient oak in the wood, among the nations of the earth : which, after having overcome many a blast, overtops the other trees of the forest, and commands respect and veneration.

SECT. VI.

Key, p. 150,

WHAT an anchor is to a vessel amidst a boisterous ocean, on a coast unknown, and in a dark night, that is the hope of future happiness to the soul, when beset by the confusions of the world: for in danger, it affords one fixed point of rest; amidst general fluctuation, it gives security.

*. Our pride and self conceit, (by nourishing a weak and childish sensibility to every fancied point of our own honour and interest, while they shut up all regard to the honor or interest of our brethren, render us quarrelsome and contentious.

4

If there be any first principle of wisdom, it undoubtedly is this: the distresses that are removable, endeavour to remove; bear with as little disquiet as you can, the distresses which cannot be removed : comforts are to be found in every situation and condition of life; having found them, enjoy them.

Instead of aspiring farther than your proper level, bring your mind down to your state; lest you spend your life in a train of fruitless pursuits, by aiming too high, and at last bring yourself to an entire state of insignificance and contempt.

Often have we seen, that what we considered as a sore disappointment at the time, has proved to be a merciful providence in the issue; and that it would have been so far from making us happy, if what we once eagerly wished for had been obtained, that it would have produced our ruin.

Can the stream continue to advance, when it is deprived of the fountain? Can the branch improve, when taken from the stock which gave it nourishment? Dependent spirits can no more be happy, when parted from all union with the Father of spirits, and the fountain of happiness.

Prosperity is redoubled to a good man, by means of the generous use which he makes of it; and it is reflected back upon him by every one whom he makes happy for, in the esteem and good-will of all who know him, in the gratitude of dependents, in the attachment of friends, and the intercourse of domestic affection, he sees blessings multiplied round. him on every side.

Whoever would pass, with honour and decency, the latter part of life, must consider when he is young, that one day he shall be old; and remember that when he is old, he has once been young: he must lay up knowledge in youth for his support, when his powers of acting shall forsake him; and forbear to animadvert in age, with rigour, on faults which experience can alone correct.

Let us consider that youth is of no long duration : and that when the enchantments of fancy in maturer age shall cease, and phantoms no more dance about us, we shall have no comforts but wise men's esteem, the approbation of our hearts, and the means. of doing good: and let us live as men that are to grow old some time, and to whom of all evils it will be the most dreadful, to count their years past only by follies, and to be reminded of their former luxuriance of health, by the maladies only which riot has produced.