Chap. I.]

FORGIVENESS OF INJURIES.

377

is hereby called to cherish and exhibit those affections towardsothers, which he daily needs that they should cherish and exhibittowards himself. Were we ourselves wholly free from the samecondemnation, in which we include evil-doers, we might, withmore propriety, ascend the tribunal of justice, and administerpunishment to those who do us wrong. But where is the manliving, who is not conscious of having, at some time of his life, insome way, injured a fellow-man ? We may examine the wholehuman family, and find, if we can, one, who, neither by thought,nor word, nor act, has injured another. Surely, then, the recol-lection of our own faults ought to inspire us with the spirit of for-giveness when injured by others. For by condemning others wecondemn ourselves.

2. Again, who is this that would return evil for evil ? Is henot a sinful being ? Has he not, in a variety of ways, and underthe most aggravated circumstances, returned evil for good to thevery God who made him and sustains him ? Is he not daily in-debted for all his enjoyments to a disposition on the part of hisMaker, directly the reverse of his own ? Is not God himselfseeking to overcome evil with good, sending his rain, his sun-shine, his seed-time and harvest, upon the just and the unjust ?Is it not owing to this forbearance, that the sword of Divinejustice still slumbers in its sheath, that the sun shines bright uponhis path, that the earth and its flowers, the sky and the starswhich spangle and adorn it, look fair and beautiful to him ?Especially, what, but the love of the God w’hom he is daily of-fending, warns him, and pleads with him, and points him to themerits of a Saviour, and the salvation which he has purchased forhim ? Is it, then, for man, sinful man, to return evil for evil tohis fellow-man ?

3. As a being responsible for his actions, and destined to animmortal existence beyond the grave. The heart, that is nowswelling with anger, will soon be laid in the dust. The lips, thatare now uttering imprecations and quivering with vengeance, willsoon be sealed in the silence of death. Shall he indulge feelingsof resentment, whose body is hastening to the grave, and whosesoul to the bar of his Judge ? Let him call to remembrance theparable of the servant, who, although indebted to his lord ten

48