Trembling, in gratitude, before the throne; No. 360.] DISCONTENT. [WEDNESDAY. THESE are, says Archbishop Tillotson, beyond comparison, the two greatest evils in this world; a diseased body, and a discontented mind. The discontented man is ever restless and uneasy, dissatisfied with his station in life, his connections, and almost every circumstance that happens to him. He is continually peevish and fretful, impatient of every injury he receives, and unduly impressed with every disappointment he suffers. He considers others as happier than himself, and enjoys hardly any of the blessings of providence with a calm and grateful mind. He forms to himself a thousand distressing fears concerning futurity, and makes his present condition unhappy, by anticipating the misery he may endure, years to come. No. 361.] IMPATIENCE. [THURSDAY. In those evils which are allotted us by providence, such as deformity, privation of the senses, or old age; it is always to be remembered, that impatience can have no present effect, but to deprive us of the consolations which our condition admits, by driving away from us those by whose conversation, or advice, we might be amused or helped; and that with regard to futurity, it is yet less to be justified, since without lessening the pain, it cuts off the hope of that reward, which he, by whom it is inflicted, will confer upon them that bear it well. No. 362.] PATIENCE. [FRIDAY. IF what we suffer has been brought on us by ourselves, patience is eminently our duty, since no one ought to be angry at feeling that which he has deserved. If we are conscious that we have not contributed to our own sufferings, if punishment falls upon innocence, or disappointment happens to industry and prudence, patience, whether more necessary or not, is much easier, since our pain is then without aggravation, and we have not the bitterness of remorse to add to the asperity of misfortune. It seems reasonable to enjoy blessings with confidence, as well as to resign them with submission, and to hope for the continuance of good which we possess without insolence or voluptuousness, as for the restitution of that which we lose without despondency or murmurs. No. 363.] FORWARDNESS. [SATURDAY. NOTHING, perhaps, is more unbecoming young persons than the assumption of consequence before men of age, wisdom, and experience. The advice, therefore, of Parmenio, the Grecian General, to his son, was worthy of him to give, and worthy of every man of sense to adopt; "My Son," says he, "would you be great, you must be less." The modest deportment of really wise men when contrasted to the assuming air of the young and ignorant, may be compared to the different appearance of wheat, which, while its ear is empty, holds up its head proudly, but as it is filled with grain bends modestly down, and withdraws from observation. No. 364.] THE WHOLE DUTY OF MAN. [SUNDAY. WORSHIP and adore God, think of him magnificently, speak of him reverently, magnify his providence, adore his power, frequent his service, and pray to him constantly. Next to this love your neighbour, which is all mankind, with such tenderness and affection as you love yourself. Let your dress be sober, clean, and modest. In your meat and drink, observe the rules of Christian temperance and sobriety; consider your body as only the servant of your soul; nourish the one so as it may best perform an humble and obedient service to the other. Let every day be a day of humility; relieve the wants, and rejoice in the prosperity of your fellow-creatures: compassionate their distress, overlook their unkindness, and forgive their malice. GREATLY instructed I shall hence depart, weak Subverting worldly strong; and worldly wise And, to the faithful, death the gate of life, This having learn'd, thou hast attain'd the sum Of wisdom; hope no higher, though all the stars Thou knew'st by name, and all the ethereal powers, All secrets of the deep, all Nature's works, |