[ ^9 ] 



rous analogies connedled with them. What therefore is at 

 any one time faid has probably been often before thoiight, 

 and is part of a fyftem of opinions which have long had an 

 influence on the underftanding and on the pradice. The dif- 

 pofitions of mind too are more permanent, the force of habits 

 too ftubborn to give place at whatever moment an author 

 choofes for writing ; what is written in conformity to the 

 reigning difpofition will be written with fpirit, and appear to 

 the author in a high degree true, natural and forcible. If a 

 man be diflatisfied with him.felf he will on very flight occa- 

 fion quarrel with any perfon who comes in his way : if an 

 author is peevifli or choleric his writings will fliew his dif- 

 content ; they will exhibit gloomy profpedls of nature and me- 

 lancholy views of life. In the manners of foreigners we obferve 

 many national prejudices, and in the converfation of every 

 individual we fee the Angularities of his mind ; an author then, 

 who mufl: be fuppofed in like manner aflJedled with his national 

 and individual prejudices, will betray them to fuch as can 

 view his charadler from a diftance, and examine his writings 

 under diiFerent impreflions. 



That thefe indications of chara(fter are in mofl: writers 

 fufiiciently ftrong appears from this, that even in thofe who 

 arc under the influence of immediate infpiration they are per- 

 ceivable. The Deity makes ufe of the natural man as the 

 ir.ltrument of his communications, and the feveral pages of 

 the facred volume fliew the difliindl habits and difpofitions of 

 their rcfpedive authors. Thus the charader of St. Paul is 



fully 



