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RV 102 (Chap. 2.) with Courage, and Reliance upon Him, who hath called you to them, and judged you worthy a Post, in which you may show, what the rational governing Faculty can do, when set in Array, against Powers independent on the Choice. And thus, this Paradox becomes neither impossible, nor a Paradox, that we must be at once cautious and courageous: courageous, in what doth not depend upon Choice; and cautious, in what doth. 



ONSIDER, you who are going to take your Tryal, what you wish to preserve, and in what to succeed. For if you wish to preserve a Choice conformable to Nature, you are intirely safe: every thing goes well; you have no Trouble on your Hands. While you wish to preserve what is in your own Power, and which is naturally free, and are contented with that, whom have you longer to care for? For who is the Master of things like these? Who can take them away? If you wish to be a Man of Honour and Fidelity, who shall prevent you? If you wish not to be restrained, or compelled, who shall compel you to Desires, contrary to your Principles; to Aversions, contrary to your Opinion? The Judge, perhaps, will pass a Sentence against you, which he thinks formidable: but how can he likewise make you receive it with Aversion? Since, then, Desire and Aversion are in your own Power, what have you else to care for? Let this be your Introduction; this your Narration; this your Proof; this your Victory; this your Conclusion; and this and this your Applause. Thus Socrates, to one who put him in mind to prepare himself for his Tryal; "Do not you think, says he, that I have