with a proud refentment? No-it tends to unite the hearts of men by the sweet and attractive sympathies of charity, and not merely to connect their perfons by the loofe and vulgar ties of ordinary affociation. The civilities practifed by a good man are the fincere expreffions of a benevolent mind, not a hypocritical mask intended to veil from the world paffions which he is afhamed to avow. Confcious that God infpects his heart, he ftudies not to cover difpofitions there which he is not willing to expofe to the pure and holy light of heaven, and which will not affimilate him to its bleffed fociety.

4. Prudence is frequently fubftituted for charity. Men fmother their refentments merely to prevent the derangement which they would produce in the circle of their fociety, or to escape the uneafiness that muft arife to themfelves from a perpetual course of hoftilities.

5. But the laft fubftitute which I fhall mention, for the forgivenels is the contempt of injuries.-Well may innocence feel its fuperiority to the indifcretion of unfriendly

tongues, and the malignity of evil intentions. And the calm dignity of virtue is confiftent with the gentlenefs and meeknefs that become a chriftian. But contempt,

involving, as it too often does, the offender with the offence, is an unholy temper. It indicates a pride, and haughtiness of mind incompatible, equally with the charity, and the humility of the gofpel. Vice, when confidered as offering its temptations to us, may, by a noble mind, be regarded with contempt-when feen in the conduct of others, it ought rather, by a good man, to be beheld with pity.

Referving for another difcourfe the illuftration of the excellence and reasonablenefs of this difpofition as a general principle of conduct, I fhall conclude the present with a fingle and brief reflection.

The forgiveness of injuries is inculcated throughout the difcourfes of our bleffed Lord and his apoflles with peculiar frequency and earnestness. For, it is not only the highest exercife of that charity which they lay at the foundation of all our duties to mankind; but it is abfolutely neceflary to

the peace of the world, to extinguifh, or prevent the action of thofe innumerable caufes of diffention that are continually fpringing up in human fociety. Did every man conceive himfelf entitled to avenge his own quarrels it would convert the world into a theatre of violence and blood. In order to prevent this fatal effect, the wife, the moderate, and the good are called, not only to abstain from doing injury, but daily to cover with the mantle of forgiveness the injuries that are offered to them. Injustice, fraud, envy, malice, wrath, whispering, tattling, flander would keep the world in a perpetual flame, and fix our own peace forever on the rack, were not their influence counteracted by this exalted principle of charity. But, when we confider, on one hand, the force of the paffions, and, on the other, the infirmity of the mind, may we not exclaim with the apoftle, on a different occafion, "who is fufficient for these things?" To forgive like a christian seems to require both a greatness and humility of mind, a meekness and equanimity of temper almost beyond the present frail condition of human nature. But, we may reply, with the fame apoftle, "I can do all things through Christ who

ftrengtheneth me." Let this high and arduous duty, therefore, be the fubject of our fervent and continual petitions at the throne of grace. The great Teacher of the church hath incorporated it in that excellent and comprehenfive prayer which he hath left to be the perpetual rule of our devotions. Frequently, indeed, it requires all the energy of prayer, to calm and fubdue the tempeft of our paffions-It requires that profound fenfe of the divine prefence which is cultivated in prayer to impofe upon their fury an effectual curb-It requires all the humility of penitents proftrate at the footflool of mercy to reprefs in the heart that obdurate and unhallowed pride which is the chief fupport of our unforgiving refent

ments.

Finally, this duty forms one of the beft tefts of the heart. Men may more eafily deceive themfelves with regard to the general duties which they owe either to God, or to mankind. But if you can bear injuries with patience-if you can maintain a mild and amiable ferenity under reproach and calumny-if you can forgive offences moft deliberately committed against you,

and return kindnefs for injuftice, and bleffing for railing, it is the higheft evidence of the complete fubjection of the paffions to the government of reafon, and of the dominion of that principle of divine love in the heart which is the true foundation, and the animating spirit of every duty.—I do not ask if you are without pallions? nor if they are not naturally quick and ftrong? These may be found in the beft and nobleft characters-but, if the power of religion has been able to fubdue them, and to hold them under its foft and gentle rein? If, like Chrift on the agitated and flormy lake, it has been able to calm them, and to fay to the winds and the waves, peace! be flill!-This is a folid ground on which you may reft your hopes before the throne of eternal mercy" for, if you forgive men their trefpaffes, your heavenly Father will alfo forgive you."

Teach us, O Lord! to understand, and enable us to fulfil this fublime duty, the ornament of the gospel, the perfection of

inan!

AMEN!