Page:Letters on the Human Body (John Clowes).djvu/108

88 secured by the accession of the external; and at the same time, the external man would rejoice in the government, guidance, and protection of the internal.

What remains then, my good Friend, but that both you and I endeavour, through the and, to establish in ourselves the above empire of mental rules over bodily sensation; thus of , His love. His wisdom, and His authority, over the otherwise uncontrolable, fascinating, and dangerous misrule of our senses? What remains, I say, but that we regard these senses as so many animals, which require a bridle rather than a spur, and which, without a bridle, are for ever ready to plunge both their riders and themselves into destruction? I would not however be understood as insinuating, that this bridle should be a muzzle, so as to prevent the reception and enjoyment of proper food, because I am decidedly of opinion, that the senses ought to be gratified; and that no harm can result from the gratification, but rather benefit, provided it be placed under the control of wisdom, discretion, piety, and the fear of. Let you and I then, my Friend, seeing the imminent danger to which we are exposed by unbridled senses, and the extensive blessings to be expected from a proper