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instead of directing them to relinquifh their employment, fimply warned them against its temptations. To fay, nothing of thofe among the good and great men celebrated in the Old Teftament, who fought "the battles of the Lord, and in "the name of the Lord did valiantly;" it fhould be remembered, that the New has recorded two devout and virtuous perfons of the military profeffion, who were distinguished objects of the divine regard and approbation, and of whom it does not appear that they received the leaft inftruction to quit their calling: I refer to the Centurion mentioned in the Gospel, and to Cornelius, whofe ftory is related in the Acts of the Apoftles.In arguing for a Manly Spirit as opposed to Cowardice, these few remarks feemed neceffary to remove the objections fo recently thrown in our way.

From speaking of Active courage, let us now go on to a comparative view of that

which is Paffive, which is fo ftrongly enforced by Christianity, and which, we have no doubt, will on fome accounts be found deferving of more commendation than the other, even in its moft laudable form; though this idea will not eafily be admitted by young men. They, we know, are fond of enterprise; and when their spirits are warmed more than ordinary, they would rather meet danger than await diftrefs. But the truth is, that calamity supported with patience furnishes often a stronger proof of fortitude, than hazard encountered with whatever prowefs. We do not allow the name of Patience to that power of enduring evil, which proceeds either from cold indifference, or complexional hardiness, any more than we would extol that prowess which is poffeffed by such as feem not to have the sense of fear in their conftitution. The number of these last is probably, indeed, not very great. Be that as it may, the courage of a maftiff can never merit much applaufe: but they

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whom the principles of duty and honour enable to furmount their natural apprehenfions of danger, fo far as to face it with calmness, and to perfift in this conduct as long as neceffity requires—they, Gentlemen, are the perfons who deserve the praise of valour in action. On the fame ground we give the palm of fortitude, or conftancy, in fuffering, to thofe who, while they feel it in all its sharpness, continue to bear it without repining or wearying. And this, we fay again, affords for the most part a clearer evidence of the Manly Spirit we recommend, than the boldeft deeds enacted in the field, or in the breach. It will, I think, be acknowledged, that the latter are moft frequently the effect of a fudden and temporary fally; that in martial exploits, efpecially in the general conflict of battle, the dread of difgrace, the hope of advancement, the common danger, the chance of furviving, the example of others, the prefence of companions, the fentiment of emulation, the

defire of being thought perfonally brave, a regard to national character, the heat of blood occafioned by the violent exercise and the surrounding ferment, together with a mechanical force of mind excited by the whole collected energy of the occafion,that all thefe circumstances, meeting in the fame moment, may produce atchievements of the moft fplendid appearance, which fhall yet by no means be a certain indication of habitual courage. But now fuppofe, what has been often seen, heavy affliction befalling a fufceptible foul, and sustained, without one impious or indecent complaint, foberly, quietly, meekly, and for a long space of time: will you not own this to be a fatisfactory demonstration, an unequivocal teft, of refolution equally genuine and eftimable?

To defpife death, or appear to despise it, in combating an enemy, is a behaviour which I am fenfible has been applauded above most others, in every age of the

world. It is certainly a behaviour which the human mind is formed to admire. And yet, perhaps, there are few attainments of more ambiguous merit. Among those who have feemed to look with unconcern on the King of Terrors," amidít the fhouts and tumults of an engagement, the noise of drums, the clangor of trumpets, the clafh of arms, and all the dreadful thunder of artillery, there have been numbers who afterwards, in the ftillness of the chamber and loneliness of night, during the progrefs of a difeafe, beheld the flow but fure approaches of their end with a pufillanimity, that did not give any exalted notion of their former courage. But, to fay the truth, the fortitude neceffary in the field of battle, and that which is required on the bed of death, are diftinct qualities. Nevertheless we are perfuaded, that the faith and virtue of a Chriftian would add greatly to the fidelity and firmnefs of a Soldier. He, beyond comparison, has the best reafen for poffeffing himself,

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