the melancholy presages of the imagination; and whenever they intrude, he makes no other use of them than to take the warning, collect himself, and prepare for the coming evil; leaving the degree, duration, and the issue of it with him, who is the sovereign Disposer of all events, in a quiet dependence on his power, wisdom and goodness.

Such self possession is one great effect and advantage of self knowledge.

CHAP. II.

Self knowledge leads to a wise and steady conduct.

II. AS self knowledge will keep a man calm and equal in his temper, so it will make him wise and cautious in his conduct.

A precipitant, and rash conduct is ever the effect of a confused and irregular hurry of thought. so that when by the influence of self knowledge, the thoughts become cool, sedate and rational, the conduct will be so too. It will give a man that even, steady and uniform behaviour in the management of his affairs, that is so necessary for the dispatch of business; and prevent many disappointments and troubles which arise from the unsuccessful execution of immature or ill judged projects.

In short most of the troubles which men

nosesmedt lo pegszorg, vlodonglom ode meet with in the world may be traced up to his source, and resolved into self ignorance, We may complain of providence, and complain of men; but the fault, if we examine it, will Pa Shears QUIS OBSTUD commonly be found to be our Our Our imprudence, which arises from self ignorance, either brings our troubles upon us, or increases them. Want of temper and conduct will make any affliction double. Saharom 192, 10 996ybe What a long train of difficulties do sometimes proceed from one wrong step in our conduct, into which self ignorance or inconsideration betrayed us? And every evil that befals us in consequence of that, we are to charge upon ourtol selves.

sos pbosts bro satur n of shoel sgbalurond Wat

elli sgbolwond se 2A II dum lliw ti oa CHAP, T.ni tanpa bis misa

Joubnoo end of zuotuso bos sie mid 197 Humility the effect of self knowledge.A loud lugeni bas bseuloos & to sila HI. TRUE self knowledge always prod duces humility.ood quod ogbolond lli Pride is ever the offspring of self ignorance! The reason men are vain and self sufficient is, Because they do not know their own failings; and the reason th are not better acquainted with them is, because they hate self inspection. Let a man but turn his eyes within, scrutinize himself, and study his own heart, and he will soon see enough to make him humble. Be

hold I am vile, is the language only of self knowledge.

Whence is it that young people are generally so vain, self sufficient and assured, but because they have taken no time nor pains to cultivate a self acquaintance? and why does pride and stiffness appear so often in advanced age, but because men grow old in self ignorance? A moderate degree of self knowledge would cure an inordinate degree of self complacency,

Humility is not more necessary to salvation, than self knowledge is to humility.

It would effectually prevent that bad disposition which is too apt to steal upon, and infect some of the best human minds (especially those who aim ar and exalted degrees of piety) viz. a religious vanity or spiritual pride; which without a good deal of self knowledge and self attention will gradually insinuate into the heart, taint the mind, and sophisticate our virtues before we are aware; and in proportion to its prevalence make the christian temper degrade into the Pharisaical. dton est quiba

Might I be allowed to choose my own lot, I should think it much more eligible to want my spiritual comforts, than to abound in these at the expense of my humility. No; leta penitent, a contrite spirit be always my portion; and may I ever so be the favourite of heaven, as never to forget that I am the chief of sinners. Knowledge the sublime and glorious mys* Job xi. 4. May 17)

teries of the christian faith, and ravishing contemplations of God and a future state, are most desirable advantages; but still I prefer charity which edifieth, before the highest intellectual perfections of that knowledge which puffeth up.*Those spiritual advantages are certainly best for us, which increase our modesty and awaken our caution, and dispose us to suspect and deny ourselves. The highest in God's esteem, are meanest in their own. And their excellency consist in the meekness and truth, not in the pomp and ostentation of piety, which af fects to be seen and admired of men. S

CHAP. IV. ་་་

„siv (psię to Charity another effect of self knowledge.bią worns The tus agbal IV. SELF knowledge greatly promotes a spirit of meekness and charity. BU ZOUTILE

The more a man is acquainted with his own failings, the more he is disposed to make allowances for those of others. The knowledge he thath of himself, will incline him to be as severe in his animadversions on his own conduct, as she is on that of others; and as candid to their faults he is to his own. 26 There is an uncommon beauty, force, and propriety in that caution which our Saviour gives us, And why beholdest thou the mote that * 1 Cor. viii. 15

as