To more refin'd and solid mirth ON FORGIVENESS OF ENEMIES. 66 "I thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink." "If any man have a, quarrel against any, even as Christ forgave you, so also de ye." We are taught to pray after this manner, Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. From the foregoing divine precepts, no one, who professes a belief of the truth, will deny that forgiveness of injuries is a plain; important, and positive duty. In other passages we are taught, that a revengeful disposition is directly contrary to the letter and spirit of the gospel. We should cultivate and cherish a spirit of. benevolence and goodwill towards all; and agreeably to the apostolic injunction, "If it be possible, and as much as lieth in us, live peaceably with all men," "Not rendering evil for evil, &c." But it has been inquired, may not cases occur wherein persons may be justified, in full consistency with the christian temper and character, in withdrawing from the society and fellowship of persons of whose characters they had formed an erroneous opinion, and of whose temper and disposition they are, on gospel principles, constrained to disapprove, and yet not be chargable with a breach of charity or violation of duty? We answer in the affirmative. ---Suppose I should have formed an acquaintance with a man whose governing passion is anger, the scriptures instruct me to "make no friendship with an angry man:" and the reason is given, "lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.” But there is another reason, which, on christian principles, will justify me in declining any further intercourse with this man; viz. we cannot walk together, because we are not agreed;-there must be union in order to communion. Suppose a person to possess many valuable gifts, and to stand high in point of office and responsibility I respect his office, and I revere his character while imperfectly known; but on a more intimate acquaintance, I find him governed by selfish motives, and insensible to the peace and happiness of society, having only his own interest in view, and disregarding every consideration at variance therewith: am I bound by my former respect for such a character, to esteem him as what I supposed, or as what I find him to be? The answer is obvious. The conduct to be pursued in this. case is clearly pointed out by the apostle, (Romans xvi. 17,) "Now, I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them." Christian liberty is clearly distinguishable, and every where recognised throughout the New Testament.-It teaches us to beware of men--to try the spirits, and not believe every spirit; and this in perfect consistency with the exercise of that charity which "hopeth all things and thinketh no evil." While it affords matter of regret, to be obliged from undoubted evidence to change the favourable opinion we had formed of any person, we Certainly cannot be considered as in bondage in such a case. We may still exercise a benevolent disposition toward those who have in some way or other constrained us to withdraw from their society, as no longer tending to edification; and if we have discovered the evil tendency of their constitutional or acquired habits, it is our duty to prevent by every prudent means, a recurrence of such things as have sprung from this root of bitterness and troubled many. Our Saviour has pronounced a wo upon the world because of offences, and especially upon those through or by whom offences come; and the apostle exhorts the Corinthians to give none offence to the Jews nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God. Offences are of two kinds in a moral-sense, viz. active and passive.The first is that which we give to others by our words or actions, and the second that which we receive from the words or actions. of others. How careful was the apostle Paul to avoid giving offence, lest his ministry should thereby be rendered useless, and how careful should all succeeding ministers of the gospel be in this particular, as the imprudent conduct of ministers often proves a stumbling block in the way of sinners, and grieves those who would, but cannot profit by their ministrations! |