evil by good." [1] Finally, if we consider the law of charity, which is " kind," we shall be convinced that to practise the good offices of mildness, clemency, and other kindred virtues, is a duty prescribed by that law.
But a duty of pre-eminent excellence, and that, too, which is the fullest expression of charity, and to the practice of which we should most habituate ourselves, is to pardon and forgive from the heart the injuries which we may have received from others. To a full and faithful compliance with this duty the Sacred Scriptures, as we have already observed, frequently admonish and exhort, not only pronouncing those who do so "blessed," but also declaring that, whilst to the sinner, who neglects or refuses to comply with this precept, pardon is denied by the Almighty, it is extended to him who discharges this duty of charity towards an offending brother. [2] But, as the desire of revenge is almost natural to fallen man, it be comes necessary for the pastor to exert his utmost diligence not only to instruct but also earnestly to persuade the faithful, that a Christian should forget and forgive injuries; and as this is a duty frequently inculcated by theological writers, he will consult them on the subject, and furnish himself with the cogent and appropriate arguments urged by them, in order to be enabled to subdue the pertinacity of those, whose minds are obstinately bent on revenge. [3]
The three following considerations, however, demand particular attention and exposition. First, to use every effort to persuade him, who conceives himself injured, that the man of whom he desires to be revenged, was not the principal cause of the loss sustained or of the injury inflicted. This is exemplified in the conduct of that admirable man, Job: when violently assailed by men and demons, by the Labeans, the Chaldeans, and by Satan, without at all directing his attention to them, as a righteous and holy man he exclaimed with no less truth than piety: " The Lord gave, the Lord hath taken away." [4] The words and the example of that man of patience should, therefore, convince Christians, and the conviction is most just, that whatever chastisements we endure in this life come from the hand of God, the fountain of all justice and mercy. He chastises us not as enemies, but, in his infinite goodness, corrects us as children. To view the matter in its true light, men, in these cases, are nothing more than the ministers and agents of God. One man, it is true, may foster the worst feelings towards another: he may harbour the most malignant hatred against him; but, without the permission of God, he can do him no injury. Hence Joseph patiently endured the wicked counsels of his brethren, [5] and David the
- ↑ Rom. xii. 20.
- ↑ Vide Deut. xxxii. 35. item 1 Reg. 25. 32, 33. item 26. 6. 7 8. 9. item 2 Reg. 19. 20. Ps. 7. 5. Eccl. xxviii. per totum. Isa. lviii. 6. Matt. vi. 14. et in Evarigelio passim. Vide item Tertul. in Apol. c. 31 et 37. Aug. in Joan tract. 81. lib. 50. horn. Horn. 6. item ser. 61 et 168. de temp
- ↑ Vid. quse citantur numero 18.
- ↑ Job i. 21.
- ↑ Gen. xlv. 5.
