XV.

On Consistency of Character.

It is very strange, and not less grievous, that almost all people should have such an inequality in their conduct, as, in ten thousand unheeded instances, daily to contradict those fundamental principles of duty and reason, which, in matters of more acknowledged importance, they justly make it their glory to act up to.

The person who goes contrary to those principles, upon deliberate reflection, we all shun and detest; and is mere heedlessness so great a virtue, as to atone for our behaving in the same faulty way, because we do it without making so deep reflection as we ought?

A few instances may explain what I mean; and, I believe, there are few persons who will not find something of the same sort at home, within themselves.

Good nature is a quality that people are as fond of possessing as any. Does it ever hold throughout? That pain, which we should abhor to inflict

on the body of a friend or a dependent-do we never suffer our caprice or humour to inflict it on their mind, an infinitely tenderer part? That resentment and dislike, which we are strongly upon our guard against feeling, in return for real inju. ries, and should justly reckon ourselves very bad Christians if we did otherwise-do we never make them the punishment of trivial offences, and slight disagreeablenesses in those to whom, perhaps, we have solid obligations? At the same time that we should desire, in cases of importance, to do all our fellow-creatures all possible good, do we seriously enough consider, that the repeating an idle story, or spreading upon slight grounds a disagreeable report, is acting most directly contrary to those laudable desires? We can actually do good but to few; but we ought to wish it as sincerely and as warmly to all, as if they were truly within the small circle of our own influence; and, consequently, a mind that is as good as it should be, will feel itself heartily interested in every interest of his fellow-creatures. Should we then listen with complacency, or even with careless ears, to the story of such faults, frailties, and follies, as are real misfortunes to them?

Patience and resignation are what, in the severest trials, we should earnestly wish to be distinguished for.-Do we practise them on trifling occasions? Let every one of us be asked-Can you bear to be put out of your own way to accommodate your humour to the varieties of human life; and, however your day is turned and interrupted,

cheerfully make the best of it? Can you improve little inconveniences into something tolerable, and even useful? It may generally be done, if people would but set their minds to it.

You are convinced, perhaps, that a cheerful grateful disposition is that which, above all others, ought to be cultivated by creatures formed for immortal happiness, guided in their way to it by the most gracious Providence, and continually under the eye and care of the most excellent and amiable of Beings. But do you always act, and think, and speak, consistently with this persuasion? Is none of your breathi wasted in vain sighs? Do you never voluntarily indulge the overflowings of a fruitless sorrow? Do you never, by giving way to a momentary disgust, resentment, or peevishness, rob yourself of that highest delight which flows from perfect kindness and good-humour? Do you never encourage disagreeable thoughts and jarring passions to disorder the harmony of your soul, and make you tasteless to all the joys of life, and to all the charms of beautiful nature? Do you never nourish a fond and blameable anxiety-never heap times and circumstances of trouble and sorrow in your mind, till the load grows too heavy for imagination to bear? Do you never please yourself with heightening the paintings of your distress? Do you often recollect all the happy and delightful circumstances of your situation? No state is without very many, and those very importaut.

Again, you are generous, it may be, free and

open-hearted; your dispositions are all noble and liberal; your bounty would be inexhaustible if your estate was so; you would do good to all the world; no eye should see you that could not bear witness to your kindness. But in the free indulgence of this amiable temper, how possible is it that you may injure those whom you are the most bound to help! If proper regard to the limits of your power be not observed, this dignity and generosity must be supported by the cruellest injustice and the most wretched condescensions. .To what straits, what meannesses, are those often reduced, whom Fortune had once placed in a high rank! From whence proceeds this but from inequality of conduct?

The elegant beauty, whose fondest aim is to please and be admired, has sometimes small re. gard to that complete harmony of manner and be haviour which perfects the charm. Indeed, we are all of us so short-sighted, that to take in a whole view at once is impossible. Yet these views of life we ought surely to choose and study, with at least as much taste and attention as a landscape painter does prospects: the most considerable objects should take up the chief place, and be finished with the highest art; the rest should be thrown off in due proportion, and lessening by imperceptible degrees. But what a picture would he make, were the distant hills to be painted with a vivid green, and the nearest objects softened into a purplish blue: here every 'flower touched up with exquisite art; and there objects as near, and more consider