Of the Dissolution

Here before I proceed, I cannot but ad-mire the Wisdom and Goodness of AlmightyGod, in implanting foch a Passion in the Na-ture of Man as Shame, to no other use orpurpose, that I can imagine, than to rellrainhim from vicious and shameful Actions. APassion I call it, because the Body, as in o°ther Passions, suffers from it, and that in apeculiar manner; it causing a sudden moti-on of the Blood to the outward parts, espe-cially to the Face, which is called bluffing ;and a dejection of the Eyes. If you ask mewhat Shame is, I answer, It is an ungratefuland afflictive fence of Soul proceeding fromDishonour. Now Dishonour is nothing elsebut Mens ill Opinion of me, or dislike andcondemnation of my Actions, some way de-clared and manifested to me; which why Ishould have such an abhorrence of, and whyit should be so grievous and tormenting tome, there seems not to be a sufficient groundand foundation in the nature of the thing,supposing such as have this Opinion, haveneither power nor will to hurt my Body :but only in the Ordination of God, who hathso made our Natures, to secure our Innocen-cy, and with hold us from the commission ofwhat is disgraceful and ignominious, as allsinful Actions, and none else arc.

And