A NEW EDITION,

Carefully read by the AUTHOR's Own Copy, wherein the Errors of
former Editions are corrected. -To which is prefixed, A Recom-
mendation by Mr. MICHAEL BOSTON, late Minifter of the
Gospel in FALKIRK, the Author's Grandfon.

JOHN ii. 24, 25. But Jefus did not commit himself unto them,
because he knew all Men. And needed not that any should
teftify of Man: For he knew what was in Man.

LUKE ix. 19. Ye know not what manner of Spirit ye are of.
PROV. XXVII. 19. As in Water, Face anfwereth to Face: So the
Heart of Man to Man.

FALKIRK:

Printed by PATRICK MAIR,

And Sold at his Shop in the HIGH STREET.

M,DCC,LXXXVII.

ALOY

A

RECOMMENDATION,

By the Reverend

Mr. MICHAEL BOSTON,

The Author's Grandfon:

HUMAN NATURE inits FOURFOLD STATE, was the first production of my venerable Anceftor, introduced to the Public. It made its first

appearance in the year 1720. Since that period, it has undergone at an average, One complete Edition every two years. Twenty thousand Copies of it have been exported to America, from one fingle City in Scotland, befides thofe that have been fent to the Continent from England and Ireland. The rapid fale of the Book upon its firft Publication, is a demonftrative proof of the esteem in which it was then held: and the uninterrupted demand for it ftill, fhows that the Principles it inculcates, are yet held in repute. All that I need further to add, is, That the prefent Edition is printed from that one Revised and Corrected by the Author himfelf, and may therefore be efteemed correct.

FALKIRK Decr. 1784.

MICHL. BOSTON.

T is a maxis among wife men, That the knowledge of perfons is

I of as great ufe in the conduct of human life, ws the knowledge of

things: and it is most certain, that he who knows the various tempers, humours, and difpofitions of men, who can find out their turn of thought, and penetrate into the secret fprings and principles of their actings, will not be at a lofs to find out proper means for compaffing his aims, will easily preferve himfelf from fnares, and either evite or overcome difficulties. But the knowledge of human nature, morally confidered, or, in other words, of the temper and difpofition of the foul in its moral powers, is of much greater value; as it is of use in the concerns of an unchangeable life and world: he who is poffeffed of fo valuable a branch of knowledge, is thereby capacitated to judge aright of himself, to understand true Chriftianity, and to conceive juftly of perfect happiness, and confummate mifery.

The depravity of human nature is so plainly taught, yea inculcated in facred Scripture, and is fo obvious to every thinking man's obfervation, who fearches his own breast, and reflects duly on his temper and actings, that it is furprizingly ftrange and wonderful, how it coines to pass, that this important truth is fo little understood, yea fo much difbelieved, by men who bear the name of gofpel Minifters. Are. there not perfons to be found in a neighbouring nation, in the character of preachers, appearing daily in pulpits, who are fo unacquanted with their Bibles and themselves, that they ridicule the doctrine of original fin as unintelligible jargon? If they are perfons of a moral life and conversation, they feem to imagine, they cantiot become better than they are; if they are immoral, they feem to indulge a conceit, that they can become virtuous, yea religious, when they please. The le are the men who talk of the dignity of human nature, of greatness of mind, nobleness of foul, and generosity of spirit: as if they intended to persuade themselves and others, that pride is a good principle, and do not know, that pride and selfishness are the bane of mankind, productive of all the wickedness, and much of the misery to be found in this and in the other world; and is indeed that, wherein the depravity of human nature properly confifts."

Upright Adam's nature faintly adumbrated the divine, in a moderate self-esteem, in an adequate self-love, and delightful reflexion on his own borrowed excellency, regulated by a juft efteem of, and fupreme love to his adored Creator: whence a peaceful ferenity of mind, a loving, compaffionate and benevolent difpofition of foul, a depth of thought, and brightness of imagination, delightfully employed in the rapturous contemplation of his beloved Maker's infinite perfections; thus bearing the divine image, and refembling GOD that made him. But no fooner did he disobey the divine probatory command, than

the