Of lo·ving our Enemies. I 5l fin. This paffion, as all others implanted: in us by God, is innocent when kept with-– in its due bounds : it has its proper office in the mind, as the fpleen in the body; but its excefs and diflemper fwclls into a, difeafe. To n1ake it allowable, it JTIUft not exceed the value of the caufe nor the proportion of the circun1fiances. It mufi:; ·be governed by difcretion, and kept with– in the bounds of reafon, that it break not· forth into indecent ef{preffions, 0r violent.. and blatneable aCtions.. _ And further, it ·muft not be too permanent and lafti.ng; we~ muft not let the fun fet upon our anger... P lutarch tells us, that the Pythagorean.!. were careful to obferve the very letter of this precept: for if anger had .boiled up to~ the height of an injury or reproach, before. fun-fet they would falute each orher and re.... new their friendihip; they were afhamed that the fame anger' which had difturbed the counfels of the day, fhould alfo trouble the quiet and repofe of the night, lell, mingling with their refl: and dreams, it ihould become prevalent and habitual in then1. And, fure, we owe an infinitely greater deference to the precepts of our bldfed Saviour, and his holy apofiles, than they did to their mafie.r' ~ reafoning and advices..
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