And though it is easy to separate them in the _notion_, yet the most _acute philosopher_, that understands the art of distinguishing ever so well, if he gives himself up to _emulation_, will certainly find himself _deep_ in _envy_.
8. It is said also, that ambition, and a desire of glory, are necessary to excite young people to industry; and that if we were to press upon them the doctrines of humility, we should deject the minds, and sink them into _dullness_ and _idleness_.
But these people who say this, don’t consider, that this reason, if it has any strength, is full as strong against pressing the doctrines of humility upon _grown men_, lest we should deject their minds, and sink them into dullness and idleness.
This reason therefore that is given, why children should not be trained up in the principles of true humility, is as good a reason why the same humility should never be required of grown men.
Again, let those people, who think that children would be spoiled, if they were not thus educated, consider this.
*Could they think, that if any children had been educated by our blessed Lord, or his holy apostles, their minds would have been sunk into dullness and idleness?
*Or could they think, that such children would not have been trained up in the profoundest principles of humility? Can they say that our blessed Lord, who was the humblest man that ever was on earth, was hindered by his humility from being the greatest example of worthy and glorious actions, that ever were done by man?
Can they say that his apostles, who lived in the humble spirit of their Master, did therefore cease to be laborious and active instruments of doing good to all the world?
A few such reflections as these, are sufficient to expose all the poor pretences for an education in pride and ambition.
9. *_Paternus_ lived about _two hundred_ years ago; he had but one son, whom he educated himself in his own house. As they were sitting together in the garden, when the child was _ten years_ old, _Paternus_ thus began to him.
The little time that you have been in the world, my child, you have spent wholly with me: and my love and tenderness to you, has made you look upon me as your only friend and benefactor, and the cause of all the comfort and pleasure you enjoy: your heart, I know, would be ready to break with grief, if you thought this was the last day that I should live with you.
But, my child, tho’ you now think yourself mighty happy, because you have hold of my hand, you are now in the hands, and under the tender care of a much greater father and friend than I am, whose love to you is far greater than mine, and from whom you receive such blessings as no mortal can give.
That God whom you have seen me daily worship; whom I daily call upon to bless both you and me, and all mankind; whose wondrous acts are recorded in those scriptures which you constantly read. That God who created the heavens and the earth; who brought a flood upon the old world; who saved _Noah_ in the ark; who was the God of _Abraham_, _Isaac_, and _Jacob_; whom _Job_ blessed and praised in the greatest afflictions; who delivered the _Israelites_ out of the hands of the _Egyptians_; who was the protector of righteous _Joseph_, _Moses_, _Joshua_, and holy _Daniel_; who sent so many prophets into the world; who sent his Son Jesus Christ to redeem mankind. This God, who has done all these great things; who has created so many millions of men; who lived and died before you was born, with whom the spirits of good men that are departed this life, now live; whom infinite numbers of angels now worship in heaven. This great God, who is the Creator of worlds, of angels, and men, is your loving Father and Friend, your good Creator and Nourisher, from whom, and not from me, you received your being ten years ago, at the time that I planted that little, tender _elm_ which you there see.
10. I myself am not half the age of this _shady oak_, under which we sit; many of our fathers have sat under its boughs; we have all of us called it ours in our turn, though it stands, and drops its _masters_, as it drops its _leaves_.
You see, my son, this wide and large _firmament_ over our heads, where the _sun_ and _moon_, and all the _stars_ appear in their turns. If you was to be carried up to any of these bodies at this vast distance from us, you would still discover others as much above you, as the _stars_ that you see here are above the _earth_. Were you to go up or down, _east_ or _west_, _north_ or _south_, you would find the same height without any _top_, and the same depth without any _bottom_.