PHI LOS 0 P H Y . - Classic Works of Apologetics Online

252 Suicide.
. which the gratification of it leads, will, the moment
he perceives in himself the first symptoms of a grow.
ing inclination to intemperance, collect his resolution
to this point; or (w6at perhaps he win find his best
security) arm himself with some peremptory rule, as
to the times and quantity of his indulgences. I own
myself a friend to the laying down of rules to our.
selves of this sort, and rigidly abiding· by them.
They may be exclaimed against as stiff, but thE'Y are
often salutary. Indefinite resolution$ of abstemiousness
are apt to yield to eKlrllordi1lllr, occasions; and
e:draord~nar, occasions to actur perpetually. Where ..
as, the stricter the rule is, the more tenacious we
grow of it; and many a man Will abstain rather
than break his rule, who would not easily be brought
to exercise the same mortification from higher, motives
•. Not to mention, that when our rule is once
known, we are provided with an answer to every
importunity.
There" is a~ difference no doubt, between convivial"
intemperance, and that solitary· lottishness, which
walts neither for company nor invitation. But the
one, I am afraid, commonly ends in the other: and
this last is the basest degradation to which the facul.
ties and digaity of hUJDan nature can be reduced.
u
CHAPTER m.
SUICIDE.
THERE is no subject in morality, in which
the ·consideration of general (01ll~quen(~S is more neces.
sary than in this of suicide. :. Particular and extreme
ca~es of suicide may be imagined, qd may arise, of
which it would be difficult to assign the particular
mischief, or fronl that consideration alone to demon·
strate the guilt. And these cases have been the
chief occasion of confusion an4 doubtfulness in the
question. Albeit this is no more, than what is sometimes
true of the most acknowledged vices.
I couleS