390 The Blc/Jèdnefs of the Peace - makers. S ER m. the third Chap. of the epiflle to the Corans, XIV. from the i 2th ver, recommended particular -""Y'--' branches of this virtue, and thefe exercifes of it, which relate to the various infirmities of the objea, bowels of mercies, meeknefs, long fufering, forbearance, and forgiven fs, fum- eth up all at the 14th verfe in this corn- prehenfive exhortation, put on charity which is the bond of perfe&nefs, or the perfect bond of union and peace among chri- ftians. They are the felfifh corrupt affe6tions and paffions which produce ftrifes and divi- fions ; the covetoufnefs, the pride and ambi- tion, the wrath and envy of men, violate their peace ; but charity, which fi §ereth long and is kind, and vaunteth not itfelf, feeketh not her own, and is not eafily provoked, pre - ferveth peace or reftoreth it when broken. Charity preventeth the occafion of difcords, becaufe it preventeth injuries; for as the apoftle faith, Rom. xiii. t o. it worketh no ill to ones neighbour; but if through human infirmity an offence (hall happen, it difpofeth the in- jured prefently to heal it by forgiving the fault; it inclineth chriftians to the greateft conde- fcenfion in kind offices to their weak bre- thren after the example of their mailer, and to bear with their weaknefs, not treating them with feverity on the account of it, nor calling
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