walk, that we may reform it; which will point out to us the fubject and matter of our future daily care.'-This day (faith the Christian upon his review of things at night) I loft fo much time; particularly at . I took too great a liberty; particularly in I omitted fuch an opportunity that might have been improved to a better purpofe. I mifmanaged fuch a duty---I find fuch a corruption often working; my old infirmity --- ftill cleaves to me: how eafly doth this fin befet me ! ---Oh! may be more attentive for the time to come, more watchful over my heart; take more heed to my ways! May I do fo the next day !--- The

I

knowledge of a diftemper is a good step to a cure; felf-acquaintance leads to felf• reformation. He who daily calls over what hath paffed, and inspects himself, his • behaviour and manners, will not fall into that fecurity, and those uncenfured follies, that are fo common and fo dangerous (e)." In order to make us fenfible of, and attentive to, fome of the more fecret faults and foibles of our tempers, it may not be improper to pen them down at night, according as they appeared during the tranfactions of the day. By which means, we

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(e) Bennet's Chrift. Orat. pag. 578.

fhall

fhall not only have a more distinct view of that part of our character to which we are generally most blind; but fhall be able to discover fome defects and blemishes in it, which perhaps we never apprehended before. For the wiles and doublings of the heart are fometimes fo hidden and intricate, that it requires the nicest care and most steady attention to detect and unfold them.

It

For instance; This day I read an author, whose sentiments were very different from mine, and who expreffed himself with much warmth and confidence. 'excited my fpleen, I own, and I immediately paffed a fevere cenfure upon him. So that had he been present, and talked in the fame ftrain, my ruffled temper would ⚫ have tempted me to use harsh and ungrate'ful language, which might have occafioned

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a very unchristian contention. But I now ' recollect, that tho' the author might be ⚫ mistaken in those fentiments, (as I ftill be'lieve he was) yet by his particular circum'ftances in life, and the method of his ' education, he hath been strongly led into • that way of thinking. So that his prejudice is pardonable; but my uncharitablenefs is not; especially, confidering that

· in

in many respects he has the afcendancy of me.-This proceeded from uncharitableness, which is one fault of my temper ⚫ I have to watch against ; and which I ne· ver was heretofore fo fenfible of, as I am now upon this recollection. Learn moderation, and make more allowances for the mistaken opinions of others. Be as charitable to those who vary in opinion. 'from you, as you defire they should be who differ as much from them.

<

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" to you

• For it may be you cannot be more affured "of being in the right than they are.'

Further; This day I found myself ftrongly inclined to put in fomething by way of abatement to an excellent character given of an absent perfon, by one of his great admirers. It is true, I had the command of myfelf to hold my

tongue. And it is well I had; for the ' ardour of his zeal would not have ad'mitted the exception, (tho' I still think that in fome degree it was juft) which might have raised a wrangling debate about his character, perhaps at the expence of my own; or however occafioned much animofity and contention.But I have fince examined the fecret

fpring of that impulfe, and find it to be envy; which I was not then sensible of; but my antagonist had certainly imputed it to this. And had he taken the liberty to have told me fo, I much question whether I fhould have had the temper ' of the Philofopher; who, when he was really injured, being asked, whether he was angry or not; replied, No; but I am confidering with myself whether I ought not to be fo. I doubt I fhould not have had fo much compofure; but should • have immediately refented it as a false, and malicious afperfion: it was certainly envy; for the perfon, who was the object ' of the encomium, was my fuperior in many respects. And the exception that arofe to my mind was the only flaw in his character; which nothing but a quickfighted envy could defcry. Wherefore take heed of that vice for the future.' Again; This day I was much furprized to obferve in myfelf the fymptoms of a vice, from which I ever thought myself 'clear; and I have always expreffed the greatest deteftation of it in others, and that is covetousness. For what elfe could prompt me to with-hold my cha

'rity

rity from my fellow-creature in distress, on pretence that he was not, in every refpect, a proper object; or to difpenfe it fo fparingly to another, whom I knew to be really fo, on pretence of having lately been at a confiderable expence on another occafion? This could proceed from nothing else but a latent principle • of covetoufnefs; which, tho' unremarked. in myself, yet it is likely others difcerned. "O how infcrutable are the depths and deceits of the human heart!-Had my enemy brought againft me a charge of indolence, féif-indulgence, pride, impatience, or a too quick refentment of affronts and injuries, my own heart muft have confirmed the accufation, and forced

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t

me to plead guilty. Had he charged me with bigotry, felf-opinion and cenforiousness, I should have thought it proceeded from the fame temper in himfelf. But had he charged me with covetousnefs, I fhould have taken it for downright calumny, and defpifed the cenfure with indignation and triumph. And yet

' after all, I find it had been but too true a charge.-O! how årduous is it to · know myself ?--This, like all other know

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