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powers of exertion, and thereby preclude to the captive all proſpect of enlargement. Paſſions are clamorous, temptations are numerous, and reaſon too frequently is of inſufficient force to ſilence the former, and to repel the latter. Thus his breaſt reſembles a chaos, where diſcord, darkneſs, and ⟨confuſion⟩ maintain their empire, and triumph over the boaſted authority of man. Diſappointed, and diſpleaſed with the picture, which his own boſom exhibits of himſelf, he ⟨is⟩ naturally led to enquire into the cauſe of ⟨this⟩ involuntary deformity Some writers have endeavoured to ſolve all difficulties by affirming, that the creation of ſuch a ſtrange compound as man, was neceſſary, to preſerve a due ſcale and gradation of Beings. Others aſcribe all our errors and defects to the fall, and thereby impute to the firſt parents of mankind, the moral evil diſcoverable in the ſpecies. But without entering upon a diſcuffion of theſe ſubjects, I would obſerve ⟨that⟩ the human mind in its present ſtate wears the appearance of an ancient ſuperb ſtructure, which hath formerly been injured, and defaced by hostile fury. There still remain strong marks of its primitive grandeur, although ſeveral of its noblest apartments are so miserably maimed and neglected, ⟨that⟩ they are now become, as it were, an heritage for the dragons of the wilderneſs.
It is a common observation, that neither ⟨the⟩ best of men are exempt from faults and
