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filled with meat; for an odious woman when she is married, and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress." When however this feeling exceeds due bounds, it ceases to be praiseworthy. Psal. xxxvii. 1. "fret not thyself because of evil doers." v. 7, 8. "fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass." Prov. iii. 31. "envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways." The language of indignation is used, Job xxx. 1, &c. Psal. xv. 4. "in whose eyes a vile person is contemned, but he honoureth them that fear Jehovah." The vehemence of its expression sometimes borders on indecency. See Ezek. xvi. 25, 36.

Opposed to magnanimity are, first, an ambitious spirit. Numb. xii. 2. "hath Jehovah indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us ?" xvi. 3. "seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and Jehovah is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of Jehovah?" Judges ix. 1, 2. "Abimelech went to Shechem.... and communed with them.... saying, Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem," &c. 2 Sam. xv. 2. "Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate—.' v. 4. "O that I were made judge in this land—." Prov. xxv. 27. "for men to search their own glory is not glory."

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Secondly, pride, when a man values himself without merit, or more highly than his merits deserve, or is elated by some insignificant circumstance. 2 Sam. xxii. 28. "thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down." Prov. vi. 16, 17. "these six things doth Jehovah hate.... a proud look- xv. 25. “Jehovah will destroy the house of the proud." xvi. 5. “ every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to Jehovah." v. 18. "pride goeth before destruction." xviii. 12. "before destruction the heart of man is

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haughty." xxi. 4. an high look, and a proud heart-." xxix. 23. "a man's pride shall bring him low."

Thirdly, pusillanimity; of which Saul when chosen king is an example, 1 Sam. x. 21, 22. "when they sought him, he could not be found. . . . behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff."

CHAP. X.-OF THE SECOND CLASS OF VIRTUES CONNECTED WITH THE DUTY OF MAN TOWARDS HIMSELF.

THE virtues which regulate our desire of external good have been spoken of; we are next to consider those which are exercised in the resistance to, or the endurance of evil.

These virtues are fortitude and patience.

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FORTITUDE is chiefly conspicuous in repelling evil or regarding its approach with equanimity. Josh. i. 6, 7, 9. " have not I commanded thee? be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed.' Heb. xi. 32, &c. " the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, &c. who through faith subdued kingdoms." Psal. iii. 9. "I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that have set themselves against me round about." See Psal. xviii. 32, &c. xxiii. 4. "though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me." xxxvii. 12, &c. "the wicked plotteth against the just.... the wicked have drawn out the sword... their sword shall enter into their own heart." xlvi. 1, 2. "God is our refuge and strength.... therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed." lvi. 11. "in God have I put my trust; I will not be afraid what man can do unto me." See also cxviii. 6. cxii. 7, 8. "he shall not be afraid of evil tidings.' Prov. iii. 24, 25. "when thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid." xxiv. 5, 6. “a wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength." xxviii. I. "the righteous are bold as a lion." Isai. xli. 10. "fear thou not, for I am with thee." li. 7. "fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings." v. 12. "I am he that comforteth you; who art thou that thou shouldest be afraid-?" Dan. iii. 16. “they said to the king.... we are not careful to answer thee in this matter." Matt. x. 28. &c. " fear not them which kill the body-." The great pattern of fortitude is our Saviour Jesus Christ, throughout the whole of his life, and in his death. Luke xiii. 31, &c. " go ye and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to-day and to-morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected." John xi. 7, 8. "his disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee, and goest thou thither again ?" 2 Tim. i. 7. "God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and

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of a sound mind." 1 John ii. 14. "I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one."

Opposed to fortitude are, first, timidity. Psal. xxvii. 1. "Jehovah is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear ?” Prov. x. 24. "the fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him." xxv. 26. “a righteous man falling down before the wicked, is as a troubled fountain and a corrupt spring." xxviii. 1. "the wicked flee when no man pursueth." xxix. 25. " the fear of man bringeth a snare." Isa. xli. 13, 14. “fear not, thou worm Jacob." Nehem. vi. 11. " should such a man as I flee?" Matt. xxiv. 6. "ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled." Rev. xxi. 8. "the fearful and unbelieving.. shall have their part in the lake that burneth—.”

Secondly, rashness, which consists in exposing ourselves to danger unnecessarily. Prov. xiv. 16. "a wise man feareth and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.” This fault is exemplified in Amaziah, 2 Kings xiv. 8. " come, let us look one another in the face;" and in Josiah, 2 Chron. Xxxv. 20-22. "he sent ambassadors unto him, saying.. nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him—.” Christ has taught us to avoid it by his example. John vii. 1. "he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him." xi. 53, 54. "Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews." Matt. x. 23. "when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another.'

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PATIENCE consists in the endurance of misfortunes and injuries. Psal. lxix. 7. "for thy sake I have borne reproach, shame hath covered my face." Prov. xi. 12. “he that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour; but a man of understanding holdeth his peace." xvii. 27. 'he that hath knowledge spareth his words, and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit." xix. 11. "the discretion of man deferreth his anger. Eccles. vii. 21. "also take no heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee." Isai. 1. 7, 8. "I have set my face like a flint-." Matt. v. 39. “resist not evil, but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." 1 Cor. vi. 7. "why do ye not rather take wrong ?" 1 Thess. v. 14. "be patient towards all men." See above, on patience towards God. Compensation for injuries, nevertheless, is occasionally exacted

even by pious men. Acts xvi. 37. "they have beaten us openly uncondemned," &c.

The opposites to this are, first, impatience and an effeminate spirit, Prov. xxiv. 10. "if thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small."

Secondly, an hypocritical patience, which voluntarily inflicts upon itself unnecessary evils. This is exemplified in the prophets of Baal, 1 Kings xviii. 28. "they cut themselves after their manner with knives;" and in the flagellations of the modern Papists.

Lastly, a stoical apathy; for sensibility to pain, and even lamentations, are not inconsistent with true patience; as may be seen in Job and the other saints, when under the pressure of affliction."

CHAP. XI.-OF THE DUTIES OF MAN TOWARDS HIS NEIGHBOUR, AND THE VIRTUES COMPREHENDED UNDER THOSE DUTIES.

HITHERTO We have treated of those duties of charity and justice which man owes TO HIMSELF; we are next to consider the same virtues as exercised towards OUR NEIGHBOUR.

CHARITY TOWARDS OUR NEIGHBOUR consists in LOVING HIM AS OURSELVES. Lev. xix. 18. "thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; I am Jehovah." 1 John iv. 11. “beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." Under the name of neighbour are comprehended all to whom we have the opportunity of rendering service or assistance. Luke x. 36, 37." which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him-? he that shewed mercy on him ;" as in the present instance the Samaritan shewed mercy on the Jew, although estranged from him in so many respects. Chiefly however believers: Gal. iv. 10. “ as we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them that are of the household of faith ;” inasmuch as, in addition to the ordinary tie of affinity, we are connected with them by a spiritual bond: Eph. iv. 3. " endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Next in degree are those most closely allied to us by relationship or friend7 This distinction is well illustrated in the character of Samson, throughout the drama which bears that name.

ship. Rom. ix. 3. "I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh; who are Israelites-.” 1 Tim. v. 4. "let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents; for that is good and acceptable before God."

Even our enemies are not to be excluded from the exercise of our charity, inasmuch as they are not excluded from our prayers. Exod. xxiii. 4, 5. "if thou meet thine enemy's ox or ass going astray," &c. Prov. xxv. 21, 22. "if thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink; for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and Jehovah shall reward thee." See also Rom. xii. 14, 20. Matt. v. 44. "love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you-." Matt. vi. 15. “if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.' Luke xxii. 51. "he touched his ear and healed him." xxiii. 34. " Father, forgive them-." Rom. xii. 17. "recompense to no man evil for evil." v.21."be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." 1 Thess. v. 15. see none render evil for evil unto any man." 1 Pet. iii. 9. "not rendering evil for evil." We are taught the same by the example of God himself. Matt. v. 44. "love your enemies.... that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven." Rom. v. 8. "God commendeth his love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

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The opposite of this virtue is, first, uncharitableness towards our neighbour. James ii. 15, 16. "if a brother or a sister be naked, and destitute of daily food," &c.

Secondly, hypocritical charity. Matt. vi. 2-4. "when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do-.'

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Thirdly, an excessive and preposterous love. 1 Sam. ii. 29. "thou honourest thy sons above me." xvi. 1. "how long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him?" Matt. x. 37. " he that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me."

Fourthly, hatred of our neighbour. 1 John iii. 15. "whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer." iv. 8. "he that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love."

Fifthly, a meddling disposition. Prov. xxvi. 17. "he that passeth by and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears."

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