visible_a improvement_n both_o in_o their_o sentiment_n and_o practice_n it_o be_v our_o misfortune_n that_o we_o be_v too_o often_o carry_v away_o by_o appearance_n and_o call_v thing_n by_o wrong_a name_n be_v insensible_o lead_v into_o error_n whilst_o we_o think_v ourselves_o altogether_o in_o the_o right_n we_o apply_v to_o some_o thing_n the_o character_n that_o be_v due_a to_o other_o and_o give_v magnificent_a name_n to_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o their_o nature_n either_o vicious_a and_o faulty_a or_o at_o best_o but_o trivial_a and_o inconsiderable_a thus_o it_o sometime_o fall_v out_o that_o man_n call_v that_o by_o the_o name_n of_o religion_n which_o either_o be_v not_o religion_n or_o which_o at_o best_o have_v but_o little_a to_o do_v with_o it_o and_o by_o the_o name_n of_o honour_n that_o which_o either_o be_v not_o so_o or_o which_o at_o best_a scarce_o deserve_v to_o be_v consider_v under_o that_o title_n now_o he_o that_o have_v in_o this_o manner_n entertain_v mistake_v notion_n about_o either_o religion_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n or_o about_o honour_n on_o the_o other_o be_v near_o concern_v to_o rectify_v such_o mistake_v and_o that_o for_o one_o plain_a reason_n among_o other_o to_o wit_n because_o the_o abuse_n of_o a_o very_a good_a thing_n common_o produce_v very_o ill_a effect_n it_o be_v not_o my_o design_n to_o enter_v into_o a_o large_a disquisition_n upon_o the_o subject_n of_o religion_n and_o honour_n i_o must_v content_v myself_o to_o touch_v on_o they_o incident_o so_o far_o as_o they_o relate_v to_o my_o present_a argument_n in_o the_o prosecution_n whereof_o i_o hope_v nevertheless_o to_o make_v some_o advantage_n of_o the_o universal_a esteem_n which_o these_o two_o have_v just_o obtain_v in_o the_o world_n and_o since_o generosity_n have_v a_o natural_a affinity_n both_o to_o religion_n and_o to_o honour_n i_o suppose_v a_o discourse_n upon_o that_o subject_a will_v be_v think_v the_o more_o suitable_a to_o the_o genius_n of_o the_o time_n but_o which_o be_v of_o much_o great_a importance_n it_o may_v likewise_o be_v hope_v that_o the_o man_n of_o religion_n will_v be_v induce_v to_o entertain_v the_o better_a thought_n of_o honour_n and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n the_o man_n of_o honour_n to_o entertain_v the_o better_a thought_n of_o religion_n when_o they_o shall_v respective_o consider_v that_o these_o two_o have_v in_o themselves_o a_o natural_a relation_n and_o affinity_n to_o each_o other_o at_o how_o great_a distance_n soever_o the_o opinion_n or_o practice_n of_o some_o man_n may_v seem_v to_o have_v set_v they_o for_o i_o be_o persuade_v it_o will_v be_v no_o hard_a matter_n to_o reconcile_v these_o two_o if_o we_o will_v but_o resolve_v they_o into_o their_o first_o and_o naked_a principle_n and_o will_v but_o take_v the_o pain_n to_o separate_v each_o from_o its_o abuse_n and_o the_o false_a character_n attribute_v to_o it_o which_o be_v the_o only_a occasion_n of_o the_o seem_a difference_n as_o soon_o as_o those_o be_v remove_v that_o seem_a difference_n will_v vanish_v and_o the_o natural_a agreement_n there_o be_v between_o they_o will_v show_v itself_o that_o there_o be_v real_o such_o a_o agreement_n between_o they_o will_n i_o hope_v be_v make_v out_o in_o the_o process_n of_o this_o discourse_n at_o least_o so_o far_o as_o may_v be_v necessary_a to_o my_o present_a purpose_n which_o i_o shall_v think_v sufficient_a when_o i_o speak_v of_o a_o conformity_n or_o agreement_n between_o religion_n and_o honour_n it_o be_v evident_a i_o do_v mean_v by_o religion_n particular_a mode_n or_o distinction_n of_o religion_n or_o distinction_n of_o sect_n or_o profession_n which_o be_v sometime_o call_v by_o that_o name_n nor_o do_v i_o mean_v by_o honour_n temporal_a dignity_n or_o height_n of_o title_n or_o station_n ancienty_n of_o family_n right_a of_o precedence_n or_o jurisdiction_n gentility_n or_o any_o of_o those_o external_a gallantry_n that_o be_v wont_a to_o make_v such_o a_o glare_v in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v likewise_o sometime_o call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o honour_n there_o be_v indeed_o difference_n enough_o between_o religion_n and_o honour_n take_v respective_o in_o these_o sense_n but_o by_o religion_n i_o mean_v the_o law_n of_o the_o rational_a nature_n or_o the_o complex_fw-la of_o these_o law_n which_o be_v give_v by_o god_n almighty_a unto_o mankind_n for_o the_o government_n of_o their_o life_n and_o action_n and_o by_o honour_n i_o mean_v that_o principle_n reside_v in_o man_n mind_n by_o which_o they_o be_v excite_v to_o choose_v and_o do_v those_o thing_n which_o be_v real_o worthy_a and_o become_a and_o to_o refuse_v and_o avoid_v those_o which_o be_v real_o base_a and_o unbecoming_a which_o principle_n because_o it_o give_v man_n the_o genuine_a stamp_n of_o honour_n be_v right_o call_v by_o that_o name_n and_o it_o be_v between_o these_o two_o take_v respective_o in_o the_o latter_a sense_n that_o i_o affirm_v there_o be_v such_o a_o conformity_n i_o mean_v a_o conformity_n between_o the_o rule_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o rule_n of_o honour_n and_o between_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o principle_n of_o honour_n if_o we_o look_v into_o the_o composure_n of_o mankind_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o they_o be_v natural_o endow_v with_o a_o principle_n of_o self-love_n and_o this_o principle_n be_v find_v to_o be_v of_o vast_a and_o universal_a influence_n upon_o they_o and_o the_o secret_a spring_n as_o it_o be_v of_o all_o their_o action_n now_o one_o effect_n of_o this_o principle_n be_v that_o it_o dispose_v man_n to_o value_v themselves_o for_o something_o or_o other_o and_o to_o a_o certain_a ambition_n or_o desire_n of_o have_v those_o quality_n or_o do_v those_o action_n which_o they_o account_v great_a and_o admirable_a this_o may_v be_v call_v self_n esteem_v and_o be_v a_o principle_n which_o operate_v various_o in_o different_a person_n according_a to_o their_o different_a application_n of_o it_o and_o the_o different_a conception_n which_o they_o have_v of_o thing_n insomuch_o that_o it_o carry_v some_o man_n into_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o folly_n whilst_o it_o prove_v to_o other_o who_o make_v the_o right_a use_n of_o it_o a_o spur_n to_o brave_a and_o worthy_a action_n and_o design_n of_o which_o more_o in_o its_o place_n if_o any_o man_n think_v that_o all_o manner_n of_o self-esteem_a be_v vicious_a and_o condemnable_a he_o may_v please_v to_o consider_v that_o what_o i_o here_o call_v self-esteem_a take_v in_o a_o philosophical_a sense_n be_v a_o principle_n which_o we_o have_v unavoidable_o without_o our_o own_o choice_n it_o necessary_o result_v from_o the_o general_a principle_n of_o self-love_n fundamental_o implant_v in_o we_o by_o nature_n and_o be_v far_o different_a from_o what_o be_v ordinary_o call_v self-conceit_n those_o principle_n or_o disposition_n which_o we_o have_v in_o we_o by_o nature_n ought_v not_o when_o consider_v only_o in_o their_o pure_a natural_n to_o be_v deem_v culpable_a leave_v thereby_o we_o oblique_o accuse_v the_o author_n and_o lord_n of_o nature_n himself_o it_o be_v universal_o allow_v by_o consider_v man_n that_o the_o affection_n which_o be_v put_v in_o we_o by_o nature_n such_o as_o love_n hate_n desire_v joy_n grief_n and_o the_o like_a be_v in_o themselves_o innocent_a and_o inculpable_a and_o that_o it_o be_v only_o the_o excess_n and_o abuse_n which_o render_v they_o vicious_a it_o be_v not_o our_o fault_n that_o we_o have_v in_o we_o the_o affection_n of_o love_n or_o hate_n for_o that_o we_o have_v natural_o and_o unavoidable_o but_o our_o fault_n be_v that_o we_o love_v or_o hate_v undue_a object_n or_o love_n or_o hate_v immoderate_o so_o it_o be_v not_o our_o fault_n that_o we_o have_v in_o we_o the_o affection_n of_o self-esteem_a for_o that_o we_o have_v also_o unavoidable_o from_o nature_n itself_o so_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o erace_v it_o out_o of_o our_o mind_n but_o our_o fault_n be_v in_o misapply_v this_o affection_n by_o esteem_v ourselves_o without_o just_a cause_n or_o by_o do_v it_o to_o excess_n in_o which_o case_n we_o fall_v into_o pride_n self-conceit_n and_o the_o like_a vice_n which_o be_v just_o condemn_v by_o all_o mankind_n since_o therefore_o there_o be_v put_v in_o man_n by_o nature_n such_o a_o affection_n or_o principle_n of_o self-esteem_a and_o since_o it_o be_v of_o such_o vast_a influence_n upon_o his_o thought_n and_o action_n it_o must_v needs_o be_v of_o huge_a importance_n to_o regulate_v this_o affection_n right_o so_o that_o it_o may_v be_v apply_v to_o just_a object_n and_o exert_v in_o a_o just_a manner_n especial_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v as_o beneficial_a to_o use_v it_o right_n as_o it_o be_v pernicious_a and_o dangerous_a to_o abuse_v or_o misapply_v it_o but_o we_o need_v not_o think_v that_o we_o be_v under_o
any_o obligation_n to_o endeavour_v to_o extirpate_v this_o principle_n or_o affection_n out_o of_o our_o mind_n any_o more_o than_o we_o be_v those_o of_o love_n desire_v joy_n grief_n hope_n fear_v and_o such_o like_a we_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o thing_n impossible_a but_o we_o be_v under_o the_o strong_a obligation_n in_o the_o world_n to_o endeavour_v to_o correct_v in_o they_o whatever_o tend_v to_o abuse_v or_o excess_n and_o this_o be_v not_o only_o possible_a but_o be_v indeed_o one_o of_o the_o grand_a business_n of_o our_o life_n as_o for_o the_o affection_n of_o self-esteem_a i_o be_o persuade_v the_o virtue_n or_o principle_n of_o generosity_n which_o i_o be_o about_o to_o treat_v of_o will_v be_v of_o great_a use_n to_o regulate_v it_o and_o i_o think_v i_o may_v say_v without_o fallacy_n most_o of_o the_o other_o affection_n too_o now_o in_o handle_v the_o present_a argument_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o do_v these_o three_o thing_n first_o to_o explain_v the_o nature_n of_o generosity_n second_o to_o show_v the_o usefulness_n of_o the_o principle_n for_o the_o due_a government_n of_o our_o action_n three_o to_o show_v how_o generosity_n may_v be_v acquire_v or_o afterward_o improve_v in_o our_o mind_n first_o i_o shall_v try_v to_o show_v the_o nature_n of_o generosity_n now_o generosity_n may_v in_o general_a be_v consider_v under_o a_o twofold_a respect_n 1._o as_o a_o passion_n or_o affection_n in_o man_n and_o this_o be_v the_o more_o narrow_a and_o restrain_a notion_n of_o it_o and_o next_o as_o a_o power_n or_o principle_n immediate_o found_v in_o the_o rational_a nature_n and_o this_o be_v the_o more_o large_a and_o comprehensive_a notion_n of_o it_o so_o far_o as_o it_o be_v attend_v with_o a_o commotion_n in_o the_o blood_n and_o spirit_n or_o with_o a_o sensation_n more_o immediate_o relate_v to_o the_o body_n so_o far_o it_o have_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o passion_n or_o affection_n and_o so_o far_o as_o it_o depend_v pure_o on_o the_o rational_a nature_n of_o a_o man_n and_o be_v attend_v with_o such_o cogitation_n as_o immediate_o relate_v to_o the_o soul_n so_o far_o it_o may_v be_v consider_v as_o a_o intellectual_a or_o rational_a power_n nor_o need_v we_o think_v it_o strange_a that_o have_v but_o one_o name_n it_o shall_v under_o different_a respect_n have_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o affection_n and_o likewise_o of_o a_o intellectual_a power_n the_o name_n we_o give_v to_o thing_n be_v not_o always_o adequate_a and_o it_o be_v scarce_o possible_a they_o shall_v be_v in_o matter_n of_o this_o kind_n there_o be_v so_o strict_a a_o union_n betwixt_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n of_o man_n and_o such_o a_o reciprocal_a operation_n of_o the_o one_o upon_o the_o other_o that_o sundry_a of_o his_o act_n be_v compound_v partly_o of_o sensation_n refer_v to_o the_o animal_n nature_n and_o partly_o of_o cogitation_n refer_v to_o the_o rational_a since_o therefore_o those_o cogitation_n of_o the_o soul_n which_o either_o produce_v a_o virtue_n in_o man_n or_o accompany_v it_o be_v in_o most_o case_n either_o attend_v with_o or_o confirm_v by_o some_o perception_n or_o affection_n of_o the_o animal_n nature_n and_o since_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n some_o perfection_n or_o affection_n of_o the_o animal_n nature_n dispose_v the_o soul_n to_o certain_a cogitation_n helpful_a to_o the_o produce_v in_o it_o the_o act_n of_o some_o particular_a virtue_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o believe_v there_o will_v be_v in_o the_o effect_n of_o this_o reciprocal_a operation_n a_o mixture_n of_o the_o virtue_n and_o affection_n and_o so_o we_o find_v it_o fall_v out_o humility_n be_v a_o know_a virtue_n and_o pride_n a_o know_a vice_n yet_o each_o of_o these_o be_v in_o some_o sense_n a_o passion_n or_o affection_n as_o well_o as_o upon_o other_o account_v a_o virtue_n and_o a_o vice_n humility_n for_o instance_n have_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o virtue_n so_o far_o as_o it_o be_v a_o power_n or_o principle_n refer_v pure_o to_o the_o soul_n and_o produce_v such_o cogitation_n and_o action_n as_o be_v commendable_a by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o rational_a nature_n but_o be_v still_o a_o passion_n or_o affection_n so_o far_o as_o it_o be_v accompany_v with_o a_o commotion_n in_o the_o animal_n spirit_n or_o in_o general_a with_o any_o corporeal_a impression_n the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o several_a other_o virtue_n and_o mutatis_fw-la mutandis_fw-la of_o several_a vice_n generosity_n then_o consider_v as_o a_o affection_n consist_v in_o a_o just_a self-esteem_a whereby_o a_o man_n value_v himself_o just_a so_o much_o as_o he_o lawful_o and_o fair_o may_v and_o under_o this_o respect_n it_o be_v a_o species_n of_o the_o general_a affection_n call_v admiration_n and_o hold_v the_o medium_fw-la between_o the_o two_o passion_n of_o vicious_a humility_n and_o pride_n correct_v what_o be_v amiss_o in_o each_o but_o there_o be_v likewise_o certain_a other_o disposition_n or_o habitude_n worth_n remark_v because_o they_o be_v of_o great_a use_n and_o ornament_n which_o may_v be_v refer_v to_o generosity_n of_o which_o sort_n be_v a_o masculine_a firmness_n and_o constancy_n presence_n of_o mind_n and_o sweetness_n of_o temper_n this_o firmness_n and_o constancy_n be_v of_o force_n to_o compose_v a_o man_n spirit_n to_o establish_v his_o thought_n and_o to_o preserve_v he_o steady_a and_o consistent_a with_o himself_o and_o by_o those_o mean_n secure_v he_o not_o only_o from_o many_o of_o the_o livity_n and_o imbecility_n which_o they_o be_v apt_a to_o fall_v into_o who_o be_v guide_v by_o impulse_n and_o fortuitous_a impression_n but_o also_o from_o several_a of_o those_o error_n and_o preposterous_a act_n to_o which_o fear_n or_o feebleness_n of_o spirit_n be_v wont_a to_o expose_v men._n and_o so_o presence_n of_o mind_n operate_v in_o much_o the_o same_o manner_n in_o case_n of_o sudden_a emergency_n and_o by_o preserve_v the_o mind_n intrepid_a undisturbed_a and_o present_a to_o itself_o on_o such_o occasion_n secure_v the_o man_n from_o be_v surprise_v into_o thing_n hurtful_a or_o indecent_a so_o likewise_o the_o sweetness_n of_o temper_n which_o accompany_v generosity_n serve_v to_o render_v man_n pacific_a agreeable_a and_o easy_a to_o themselves_o and_o other_o and_o as_o it_o tend_v to_o overcome_v the_o humorous_a and_o sour_a quality_n which_o make_v man_n uneasy_a to_o themselves_o and_o disagreeable_a in_o conversation_n so_o it_o likewise_o dispose_v they_o to_o all_o the_o decent_a expression_n imaginable_a of_o civility_n and_o complaisance_n it_o be_v true_a the_o several_a disposition_n aforesaid_a may_v be_v many_o time_n owe_v to_o man_n natural_a temperament_n but_o yet_o if_o man_n have_v they_o not_o by_o the_o gift_n of_o nature_n it_o be_v in_o great_a measure_n within_o their_o power_n to_o acquire_v they_o or_o to_o cultivate_v and_o improve_v they_o when_o acquire_v and_o to_o correct_v the_o contrary_a quality_n some_o man_n indeed_o have_v the_o happiness_n to_o be_v natural_o of_o a_o ingenuous_a disposition_n candid_a sincere_a modest_a and_o of_o a_o firm_a and_o masculine_a temper_n have_v by_o the_o particular_a vouchsafement_n of_o god_n almighty_n a_o loveliness_n and_o sweetness_n of_o spirit_n which_o can_v be_v express_v and_o such_o a_o command_n over_o their_o spirit_n as_o be_v of_o extraordinary_a advantage_n to_o they_o they_o who_o have_v these_o and_o the_o like_a quality_n implant_v in_o they_o by_o nature_n be_v in_o a_o sort_n bear_v to_o generosity_n and_o even_o they_o who_o have_v they_o in_o a_o low_a degree_n be_v altogether_o unexcusable_a if_o they_o do_v not_o endeavour_v to_o cherish_v and_o improve_v they_o since_o the_o acquisition_n of_o generosity_n will_v be_v so_o easy_a where_o there_o be_v such_o a_o natural_a aptitude_n for_o it_o on_o the_o contrary_a some_o man_n be_v particular_o unhappy_a in_o their_o composure_n be_v natural_o of_o a_o rough_a and_o feral_a temper_n dark_a and_o solitary_a in_o their_o mind_n stubborn_a haughty_a or_o of_o feeble_a and_o impotent_a spirit_n he_o who_o be_v concern_v in_o any_o of_o these_o or_o such_o like_a ill_a quality_n for_o one_o not_o with_o a_o good_a grace_n suppose_v they_o all_o in_o one_o man_n be_v its_o true_a under_o peculiar_a difficulty_n as_o to_o the_o acquire_v of_o generosity_n but_o as_o that_o aught_o to_o quicken_v his_o diligence_n and_o care_n to_o overcome_v those_o impediment_n which_o his_o natural_a temper_n put_v he_o under_o so_o if_o he_o do_v overcome_v they_o his_o conquest_n will_v be_v the_o more_o glorious_a but_o i_o be_o not_o to_o insist_v upon_o that_o in_o this_o place_n but_o from_o the_o different_a disposition_n of_o people_n we_o may_v observe_v in_o what_o manner_n generosity_n reside_v in_o man_n temper_n and_o how_o it_o mix_v itself_o with_o their_o other_o affection_n and_o disposition_n and_o this_o i_o think_v do_v
state_n of_o life_n or_o relation_n that_o man_n stand_v in_o to_o one_o another_o which_o exclude_v the_o exercise_n of_o it_o thus_o it_o be_v very_o ample_a and_o extend_v in_o its_o influence_n and_o help_v man_n to_o govern_v their_o action_n in_o such_o manner_n as_o be_v very_o conducive_a to_o preserve_v virtue_n order_n quiet_v and_o good_a agreement_n among_o men._n as_o to_o several_a other_o particular_a uses_n of_o this_o principle_n they_o may_v many_o of_o they_o be_v so_o evident_o collect_v from_o what_o have_v be_v speak_v in_o the_o description_n and_o interpretation_n of_o it_o which_o i_o be_o not_o willing_a to_o repeat_v and_o other_o may_v be_v so_o easy_o supply_v from_o any_o man_n be_v own_o observation_n that_o i_o think_v it_o needless_a to_o enter_v upon_o detail_v they_o so_o much_o then_o for_o the_o usefulness_n of_o this_o principle_n but_o after_o all_o if_o any_o man_n upon_o compare_v the_o temper_n of_o mind_n and_o course_n of_o action_n of_o those_o who_o be_v or_o pass_v for_o generous_a man_n with_o the_o description_n which_o i_o have_v give_v of_o generosity_n shall_v pretend_v that_o generosity_n as_o i_o have_v describe_v it_o look_v rather_o like_o a_o airy_a idea_n than_o a_o thing_n practicable_a by_o mankind_n since_o it_o will_v be_v hard_a if_o not_o impossible_a to_o find_v a_o man_n endue_v with_o all_o those_o quality_n which_o i_o have_v ascribe_v to_o it_o i_o say_v if_o any_o man_n shall_v object_v in_o this_o manner_n he_o may_v please_v to_o observe_v that_o i_o do_v not_o say_v he_o can_v be_v a_o generous_a man_n who_o have_v not_o every_o particular_a qualification_n which_o i_o have_v ascribe_v or_o which_o may_v be_v ascribe_v to_o that_o character_n a_o man_n may_v no_o doubt_n be_v a_o generous_n and_o virtuous_a man_n though_o he_o be_v not_o perfect_a in_o generosity_n and_o virtue_n the_o habit_n of_o the_o mind_n be_v capable_a of_o several_a degree_n or_o receive_v as_o they_o speak_v magis_fw-la &_o minus_n there_o be_v confess_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o difference_n between_o virtue_n consider_v formal_o or_o in_o its_o pure_a nature_n and_o consider_v subjective_o or_o under_o that_o alloy_n in_o which_o it_o be_v wont_a to_o appear_v in_o human_a action_n it_o be_v indeed_o much_o to_o be_v wish_v that_o mankind_n can_v as_o easy_o express_v the_o purity_n and_o sublimity_n of_o virtue_n in_o their_o spirit_n and_o action_n as_o they_o can_v represent_v it_o in_o word_n and_o description_n but_o this_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v for_o my_o part_n i_o be_o as_o ready_a as_o any_o one_o to_o acknowledge_v the_o imbecility_n of_o our_o nature_n since_o i_o find_v so_o many_o sensible_a proof_n of_o it_o in_o other_o man_n but_o particular_o in_o myself_o and_o i_o believe_v it_o be_v a_o subject_n of_o great_a grief_n to_o those_o who_o sincere_o aspire_v after_o virtue_n to_o find_v so_o many_o obstruction_n and_o impediment_n in_o their_o progress_n arise_v from_o their_o own_o nature_n to_o find_v themselves_o divide_v as_o it_o be_v against_o themselves_o so_o that_o whilst_o one_o part_n of_o they_o be_v incline_v to_o make_v its_o effort_n after_o virtue_n another_o part_n of_o they_o retard_v and_o hinder_v by_o its_o revulsive_a motion_n this_o be_v the_o conflict_n of_o the_o flesh_n and_o spirit_n which_o give_v man_n so_o many_o difficulty_n and_o render_v their_o practice_n of_o virtue_n so_o feeble_a and_o imperfect_a but_o as_o this_o show_v only_o the_o imperfection_n of_o our_o nature_n so_o it_o can_v be_v no_o just_a argument_n against_o the_o excellency_n of_o this_o or_o any_o other_o virtue_n consider_v in_o itself_o if_o then_o we_o will_v take_v a_o idea_n of_o any_o virtue_n we_o must_v not_o take_v it_o bare_o from_o the_o practice_n of_o particular_a man_n or_o the_o feeble_a representation_n which_o they_o be_v wont_v to_o give_v of_o it_o in_o their_o spirit_n and_o action_n but_o from_o that_o and_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o virtue_n itself_o together_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o to_o frame_v a_o notion_n of_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o principle_n of_o our_o mind_n by_o the_o consideration_n of_o their_o abstract_a nature_n and_o of_o their_o conformity_n to_o that_o exemplar_n of_o perfection_n which_o be_v in_o the_o divine_a mind_n if_o therefore_o we_o find_v the_o character_n of_o generosity_n agreeable_a to_o the_o noble_a and_o divine_a principle_n of_o our_o mind_n in_o conformity_n to_o that_o original_a perfection_n which_o be_v in_o the_o divine_a nature_n itself_o to_o which_o all_o virtue_n and_o good_a quality_n that_o be_v in_o man_n be_v in_o their_o measure_n and_o degree_n conformable_a and_o correspondent_a otherwise_o they_o can_v not_o be_v such_o we_o can_v reasonable_o deny_v it_o to_o be_v in_o itself_o of_o that_o excellency_n and_o usefulness_n which_o i_o have_v mention_v how_o faint_o or_o imperfect_o soever_o it_o may_v be_v exhibit_v in_o the_o spirit_n and_o practice_n of_o particular_a men._n but_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v think_v sufficient_a that_o all_o the_o character_n which_o i_o have_v attribute_v to_o it_o be_v to_o be_v find_v upon_o some_o one_o be_v for_o other_o of_o that_o body_n of_o great_a and_o good_a man_n which_o have_v be_v or_o be_v in_o the_o world_n and_o consequent_o have_v have_v and_o now_o have_v a_o real_a existence_n from_o hence_o then_o we_o may_v conclude_v that_o there_o be_v in_o reality_n such_o a_o principle_n and_o that_o it_o be_v in_o some_o degree_n attainable_a by_o we_o and_o the_o more_o excellent_a a_o principle_n it_o be_v in_o itself_o we_o ought_v in_o reason_n the_o more_o earnest_o to_o endeavour_v to_o attain_v as_o great_a a_o perfection_n in_o it_o as_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o we_o not_o faint_v though_o we_o can_v make_v good_a in_o our_o spirit_n and_o action_n all_o the_o character_n of_o it_o but_o endeavour_v to_o make_v good_a as_o many_o of_o they_o as_o we_o be_v able_a and_o labour_v throughout_o the_o course_n of_o our_o life_n which_o will_v be_v a_o noble_a ambition_n to_o make_v continual_o further_o advances_n have_v thus_o give_v a_o description_n of_o generosity_n i_o think_v it_o superfluous_a to_o use_v argument_n to_o engage_v man_n to_o the_o love_n and_o practice_n of_o it_o if_o it_o be_v of_o so_o lovely_a and_o excellent_a a_o nature_n as_o i_o have_v set_v it_o forth_o to_o be_v that_o be_v the_o most_o forcible_a argument_n in_o the_o world_n why_o we_o shall_v endeavour_v after_o it_o one_o need_v not_o take_v pain_n to_o incite_v man_n to_o love_v a_o beautiful_a object_n they_o do_v it_o natural_o and_o can_v help_v it_o demonstrate_v that_o a_o thing_n be_v such_o be_v beyond_o all_o the_o collateral_a argument_n of_o persuasion_n that_o can_v be_v use_v if_o in_o the_o process_n of_o this_o discourse_n i_o have_v do_v that_o with_o respect_n to_o generosity_n there_o will_v be_v no_o need_n of_o further_a persuasion_n and_o if_o i_o have_v not_o persuasion_n will_v be_v insignificant_a iii_o in_o regard_n therefore_o generosity_n be_v a_o thing_n so_o excellent_a in_o its_o nature_n and_o so_o beneficial_a in_o its_o use_n it_o be_v like_a to_o be_v worth_a our_o pain_n to_o inquire_v how_o it_o may_v be_v acquire_v or_o afterward_o improve_v in_o our_o mind_n now_o when_o i_o speak_v of_o acquire_v it_o i_o do_v not_o suppose_v that_o there_o be_v any_o man_n by_o nature_n total_o void_a of_o it_o or_o at_o least_o of_o some_o predisposition_n to_o it_o all_o man_n have_v the_o seed_n and_o rudiment_n of_o it_o so_o far_o as_o they_o have_v a_o sense_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a decency_n and_o indecency_n honour_n and_o shame_n but_o since_o those_o rudiment_n can_v proper_o of_o themselves_o give_v man_n the_o denomination_n of_o generous_a for_o nothing_o can_v do_v that_o but_o some_o degree_n of_o the_o habit_n of_o generosity_n he_o who_o will_v acquire_v that_o character_n must_v improve_v those_o rudiment_n to_o that_o degree_n at_o least_o which_o may_v be_v effectual_a to_o denominate_v he_o such_o now_o to_o discover_v how_o this_o may_v be_v do_v there_o be_v not_o i_o conceive_v need_v of_o any_o extraordinary_a art_n the_o thing_n be_v plain_a and_o obvious_a to_o any_o man_n understanding_n first_o therefore_o we_o must_v address_v ourselves_o in_o a_o due_a manner_n to_o god_n almighty_a beseech_v he_o to_o bestow_v upon_o we_o this_o virtue_n and_o second_o we_o must_v firm_o and_o mature_o resolve_v to_o do_v all_o that_o we_o can_v possible_o to_o attain_v it_o the_o consideration_n that_o god_n almighty_n be_v the_o sovereign_a author_n and_o giver_n of_o all_o virtue_n show_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o former_a and_o the_o consideration_n that_o man_n can_v ordinary_o become_v virtuous_a or_o