470 / 514
462
CHRISTIAN MORALITY, VIZ.
[SEAM.
%xVIIf.
our
conduct,
when
we
teach and
instruct
them,
not
like
sovereigns
of
their
faith, and
dictators
to
their under-
standing,
but
in
a
way
of
friendly
conversation,
and
mutual
improvement.
If
any
thing occurs to
be
de-
bated,
it
is
a
sign
of
modesty to
yield to
the force
of ar-
gument, and
not
to resolve before-hand
to
be
infallible
and
obstinate,
as
though
we were
exempted
from
the
common frailty
of
human nature, and
free from
all pos-
sibility
of
mistake.
While
we
are arguing
with
others,
in
order
to
con-
vince them,
how
graceful a thing
is-it,
when
we
have
the
power
of
the argument
on
our
own side,
to keep
our-
selves from
insult and triumph.
How
engaging
a
be-
haviour
toward
our
opponent,
when
we
seem to
part
as
though
we
were
equal
in
the debate,
while
it
is
evi-
dent
to
all the company,
that
the
truth
lies wholly
on
our
side.
Yet
I
will own
there are
seasons, when the
obstinate
and the assuming
disputant
should
be
made
to
feel
the
force
of
an argument,
by
displaying it
in its
victorious
atìd
triumphant
colours
:
But this
is
seldom,to
be
prac-
tis'ed,
so as
to
insult the opposite
party,
except
in cases
where
they
have
shewn
a haughty and
insufferable inso-
lence.
Some
persons
perhaps
can hardly
be
taught hu-
mility
without
being
severely
humbled;
and yet
where'
there
is
need
of
this chastisement,
I
had
rather
any
other
hand
should
be
employed
in
it
than
mine.
IV.
Meekness
is
another
of
the lovely graces.
This
is
contrary
to
wrath and
malice,
and all the angry
pas-
sions, as
humility stands in opposition to pride.
As
there
are generally
some
secret
workings
of
pride
in
the heart,
when
a
man
gives
indulgence to
his
wrathful
passions
;
so
where a person has thoroughly
learned
the
practice
of
humility,
the grace
of
meekness
is
easily
attainedy,
and indeed
it
seems to be
a necessary consequent
of
it.
How
lovely
is
the
character of
a
man, who can
hear
himself censured and
reviled,
without
reviling again
!
Who-
can
sustain repeated
affronts,
without
kindling into
flame
and fury
!
Who
has
learned
to
bear injuries
from
his
fellow
-
creatures, and yet
withhold himself from me-
ditating
revenge
!
He
can sit
and hear a strong
opposi-
tion made
to his
sentiments,
without
conceiving an af-
front:
He
can
bear
to be
contradicted without resenting: