If then we are convinc’d that there’s some peculiar Task allotted us, our next business will be to enquire what it is. To know our own Strength and neither to over not underrate our selves is one of the most material points of Wisdom, and which indeed we are most commonly ignorant of, else we shou’d not reach at all, how unable soever we are to attain it, nor make so many successless attempts and be forc’d to come off with that pitiful Apology, _I was mistaken, I did not think it_. But we can scarce duly estimate our Understandings till we have regulated our Wills, reform’d Self-love and a train of immortified Passions, which it is not our Business to speak of here, we shall have occasion to do’t hereafter. Let it suffice that we remark a frequent Error which these engage us in, that is, an aptness to lessen the Human Mind, to detract from its Grandeur and abridge its Powers when we consider it in General, and as great a forwardness when we look on our selves to extend our Abilities beyond their bounds. Are we conscious of a Defect? the shallowness of Human Reason at large must bear the blame, we Harangue very excellently on the Ignorance and Vanity of Mankind, and it were well if we rested there, and wou’d forbear to murmur even at our Creator himself for allowing us so scanty a Portion. But if Reason has shone out, dispelling those Clouds which Eclips’d the bright face of Truth, we arrogate all to our selves. _My_ Discovery, _My_ Hypothesis, the Strength and Clearness of _My_ Reasonings, rather than the Truth are what we wou’d expose to view; ’tis that we Idolize our selves and wou’d have every one Admire and Celebrate. And yet all this is no more perhaps than another has done before us, or at least might have done with our Opportunities and Advantages. The reverse of this procedure wou’d become us better, and it were more Glorious as well as more Just to ascribe the Excellencies of the Mind to Human Nature in the Lump and to take the Weaknesses to our selves. By this we shou’d both avoid Sloth, (the best use we can make of our Ignorance and Infirmity being first to be humbled for, and then sedulously to endeavour their Amendment) and likewise secure our Industry from the Mixtures of Pride and Envy. By looking on our own Acquisitions as a general Treasure, in which the Whole have a Right, we shou’d pretend to no more than a share; and considering our selves as Parts of the same Whole, we should expect to find our own account in th’ Improvement of every part of it, which wou’d restrain us from being puft up with the Contemplation of our Own, and from repining at our Neighbours Excellencies. For let Reason shine forth where it may, as we can’t engross, so neither can we be excluded from sharing in the Benefit, unless we wilfully exclude our selves; every one being the better for True Worth and Good Sense, except the little Soul’d Enviers of ’em.