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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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loss ; thereupon beware of the first breach made upon . your peace . What you doubt , do not . What your mind upon proposal of it to you tells you is evil , don ' t hesitate about , but reject it
at once ; and Jet no entreaties prevail with you to a compliance . Always look upon those who would tempt you to sin as your worst enemies , as they are therein tempting you to sorrow and misery
-5 . Carefully observe stated times for religious exercises ^ so as not to admit nny thing , if possible , to break in upon them . Engage not in any worldly affairs till you have seriously prayed and recommended yourself to God , in whose hands your times are , and upon
whose care of you your happiness depends , and from whose blessings your successes flow . Conscientiously observe that day in the week which God hath reserved for himself , by spending it in the improvement of your mind , in the knowledge of religion , and in
the fixing a sense of the reasonableness , necessity and advantages of it ; thinking over what you read or hear . Jf you don ' t keep a fixed time for your daily devotions , and before you engage in worldly affairs , you will find so many interruptions that , in all probability , you will neglect it ; and by
neglecting it once you will be in danger of throwing it off , and if once you level that day , which God in kindness to you hath set apart for his own service , by spending it in the trifles and pleasures that are more excusable on the others , you will find it introduce a disregard of what is serious and sacred .
6 . Whilst it is your duty to be diligent in your worldly business at proper times , yet remember -you have a concern before you of much greater importance than getting weaJth or
providing for your own subsistence here , and that is , the saving your soul and preparing * that for an eternal existence hereafter , which must be done here or be for ever undone . Write
it , as it were , upon your own mind , so as to have it often occurring to your thoughts , what will it profit me to gain the whole world and to lose my own soul , or to be happy now and miserable for ever ? 7 . Remember the vanity and uncertainty of every thing in this life , so that you may not love any thing un-
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reasonably in this "World , nor expect much from it , nor be thrown out of the possession of yourself if you meet with disappointments . Nay , expect
disappointments , for you will surely find them ; but you will find the fewer , the lower your expectations are , and the more you proportion your affection to the nature of things .
8 . Don't trust to your own understanding even in things which you think yourself master of , but consult a wiser and faithful friend , as you can have the l > enefit of it . Humility or a low opinion of yourself is beautiful and safe for you , whilst pride and conceit will render you odious to the wise , and
the prey of the wicked . If any thing of entertainment be proposed to you , don ' t comply till you have consulted those that are wiser than yourself , and always prefer the counsel of those whom you know to wish you well , before all the representations or assurances of others , ' * / % ¦'
9 . Since you will necessarily , if you live , be obliged to converse . with all sorts of persons , it is requisite that you be able to form some judgment of them for your own safety . Remember , therefore , there are few that are sober and good . Where busiuess Jeads you to speak to the very worst , or to transact business with theru , do it , but
have no more to do with them-than just to dispatch your business with them . Contract uo freedoms with any you don ' t know , till you have inquired their character y and make your wise and tender Parent your constant
adviser in that as well as every other respect . Consider not only what is proposed to you , but who proposes it , and if the person that proposes doth not behave well , suspect his proposal if it be for pleasure and recreation .
Always look upon that person as your enemy , and as having a design to corrupt and make you unhappy , who shall endeavour to lessen your esteem of your parent and friends , or to make you regardless of what they say .
1 O . Be ready to serve all about you according to your ability ; be kind to as many as your circumstances will admit , preferring- the worthy to t « e unworthy . Be courteous and obliging to all ; but remember it is not courtesy but weakness to comply yvitl * any request that you think evil or that you think may lead you into it .
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644 Letter from Rev . Thomas Newman to Mr . Voice .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Nov. 2, 1817, page 644, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2470/page/4/
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