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ESSENTIAL

ΤΟ

VIRTUE AND HAPPINESS.

No. 24.

NEW-YORK:

TO BE HAD AT THE BOOKSTORE OF MAHLON DAY,

No. 372 Pearl-street.

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SELF-KNOWLEDGE

ESSENTIAL

TO VIRTUE AND HAPPINESS.

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THE right improvement of the knowledge we have, is the best way to obtain more.

The great end of self-knowledge is self-government; without which it is but a useless speculation. And as all knowledge is valuable in proportion to its end, so this is the most excellent kind of knowledge, only because the practice of it is of such extensive use.

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"Above all other subjects (says an ancient pious writer) study thine own self.-For no knowledge that terminates in curiosity or speculation is comparable to that which is of use; and of all useful knowledge, that is most so which consists in due care and just notions of ourselves. This study is a debt which every one owes to himself. Let us not then be so lavish, so unjust, as not to pay this debt; by spending some part, at least, if we cannot all or most of our time and care, upon that which has the most indefeisible claim to it. Govern your passions; manage your actions with prudence; and, where false steps have been made, correct them for the future. Let nothing be allowed to grow head

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strong and disorderly; but bring all pline; set all your faults before your pass sentence upon yourselves with t verity that you would do upon anothe no partiality hath biassed your judgme For what will our most exact and researches avail us, if after all, we sin lence and sloth? Or what will it signi vinced that there is a great deal amiss portment and dispositions, if we sit still under that conviction, without taking wards a reformation? It will indeed r the more guilty in the sight of God. a thing will it be, to have our self-know after rise up in judgment against us!

"Examination is in order to cor amendment. We abuse it and ourselve in the duty without looking farther. W view our daily walk, that we may ref consequently a daily review will point o subject and matter of our future daily ca day (says the christian, upon his review night) I lost so much time; particular I took too great liberty, particularly i omitted such an opportunity that migh improved to better purpose. I mismana duty-I find such a corruption often wo old infirmity still cleaves to me; how this sin beset me!-Oh! may I be n tive for the time to come, more wa my heart; take more heed to my wa knowledge of a distemper is a good

urity, and those uncensured follies, that are so mmon and so dangerous."

And it may not be improper, in order to make us sible of some of the more secret faults and fois of our tempers, to pen them down at night, acding as they appeared during the transactions of day. By which means, we shall not only have nore distinct view of that part of our character to ich we are generally most blind; but shall be e to discover some defects and blemishes in it, ich perhaps we never before apprehended. For wiles and doublings of the heart are sometimes hidden and intricate, that it requires the nicest e and most steady attention to detect and unfold

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For instance; "This day I read an author whose timents were very different from mine, and who Dressed himself with much warmth and confidence. excited my spleen, I own, and I immediately ssed a severe censure upon him. So that had he en present, and talked in the same strain, my led temper would have prompted me to use rsh and ungrateful language, which might have casioned a very unchristian contention. But I w recollect, that though the author might be staken in those sentiments, (as I still believe he s,) yet by his particular circumstances in life, d the method of his education, he has been strongled into that way of thinking. So that his prelice is pardonable, but my uncharitableness is t; especially considering that in many respects has the ascendant of me. This, then, proceeded om uncharitableness, which is one fault of my nper which I have to watch against; and of ich I never was before so sensible as I am now, on this recollection. Learn more moderation, d make more allowances for the mistaken opinions

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