But they ought not to think us their Enemies, when we endeavour their Cure, tho we happen to Lance and Scarifie them. They who are Sick of Passion are like People in a Lethargy, insensible of their Danger; nay they’re fond of their Disease, and set themselves against our Medicines; tho the greater unwillingness they show to be Disturb’d, so much the more need of Rousing ’em out of their pleasing slumber. The more secure they think themselves, the more wretched is their Condition, for that’s a sign that the Passion has got an intire Possession of their Soul, and has fortified all its Avenues against Reason and Wholesome Advice. And ’tis worth being remarqued, that our Inclinations how Innocent and Harmless soever they appear, are always to be suspected if the Passions that accompany them are violent. For Violence does not Answer but Destroy the Use of Passion, it hinders th’ Operations of the Soul, insted of disposing the Body to follow her Directions Vigorously. And as to the Influence that another Persons Passion may have on us, enough has bin said to warn us, not to dally with the Flame when our Neighbours house is on Fire, lest we be consum’d in it; and carefully to avoid doing any thing which may excite, or encrease their Passions. But when we discern that the Plague is begun, let’s remove with all possible speed out of the infected Air. Great Passions arise from very small beginings, and that which appear’d Innocent at first if allow’d on that account, does often become our Ruin, or gives us at least the greatest trouble in overcoming it. _The CONCLUSION._ [Sidenote: P.72, _&c._]