2. In character —
[There is in the natural constitution of men a great differ- ence. Infants at their mother's breast display an astonishing- variety of character ; some being mild, gentle, placid ; others, on the contrary, being filled with the most violent and hateful dispositions. Education, too, will operate very forcibly on men, and lead them to habits widely different from each other. One who is brought up in the unrestrained indulgence of every vicious appetite, cannot be supposed to resemble one who has been well instructed in all virtuous princij^les, and subjected to all salutary restraints. Still less can the godly and the ungodly be supposed to agree. Divine grace puts men far asunder, and induces sentiments and conduct widely different from any that are found in miconverted men. In comparing these different persons, a due respect must be had to their several characters; or else our judgment concerning them will be extremely erro- neous.]
3. In condition —
[What community of sentiment, generally speaking, can there be betw^een a prince and a peasant? or what between an unlettered countryman and a sage philosopher ? Take a man under the pressure of disease, poverty, disgrace ; and what will you expect to find in him that accords with the feelings of one who is living in the fullest enjoyment of ease, and opulence, and honour? Look at even the same person, when, either in a way of elevation or depression, he is changed from the one condition to the other ; and you will find in him, for the most part, a corresponding change of views and habits.
I say then, that, to apprehend our text aright, we must con- sider it as declaring, not that all persons, whatever their circum- stances may be, are alike; hut that all persons under the same circumstances, due allowance being made for any difference existing from constitution, age, education, habit and grace, will be found to bear a very strong resemblance to each other.]
Taking the assertion of Solomon in this qualified sense, I proceed to,
II. Confirm it —
The reflection of a countenance from water will bear a strict resemblance to him whose countenance it is. And a similar correspondence will be found between the hearts of men, who, according to the foregoing limitations, are fit objects of comparison. It will be found in all,
1. Whilst in an unenlightened state —