.4óó, CHRISTIAN MORALITY. man ; and fear thyGod : I am the Lord. Though the charac- ter of the aged person, in respect ofriches, quality, and learning, may be much inferior, yet the wisdom that is naturally supposed to be derived from long experience, lays a foundation for this superior honour. And I look upon it as a part of the shame and justreproach of our day, that there is such a licentious insolence assumed by youth to treat their elders with contempt. But so much the more lovely is the carriage of those who, in spite ofevil custom, treat old age with reverence, and abhor the pert and petulant indignities that some of their companions cast upon the writings and counsels of their ancestors. And here I beg leave also humbly to admonish my fathers, that they practise the lovely grace of condescension, when they converse with those that are young._ Ientreat them to permit a youthof an inquisitive genius, to propose an argument for some farther improvement of knowledge, or to raise an objection against an established doctrine, and not to answer him withan imperious frown, or with the reproaches of heresy or imperti. nence. I beseech them to indulge the rising generation in some degrees offreedom of sentiment, and to offer some demonstration for their own opinions, besides their authority, and the multitude of their years. The apostle Peter's advice maybe addressed to persons of all ages and characters ; 1 Pet, v. 5. le younger,' yourselves tp the elder: Yea, all pf you be subject one to another, andbe clothed with humility; for God resistetb theproud, andgivethgraceto the humble. Uwe havemore knowledge than others, how lovely is our conduct, when we teach andinstruct them, not like sovereigns of their faith, and dictators to their understanding, but in a way of friendly conversation, and mutual improvement ? Ifany thing occurs tó be debated, it is a signof Inódesty to yield to the force of argument, and net 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 possibility of mistake. While we are arguing with others, iii order to convince them,bow graceful athing it is, when we have the power of the argument on our own side, to keep ourselves froth insult and triumph ! how engaging a behaviour toward our opponent, when we seem to part as though we were equal in the debate, while it is evident to . all the company, that the truth lies wholly on our side ! Yet I will own thereare seasons, when theobstinate and the assuming disputant should be made to feel the forceof an argu- ment, bydisplaying it in its victorious and triumphant colours : But this is 'seldom to be practised, so as to insult the opposite party, except in cases where they have shewn ahaughty and in-. sufferable insolence, s'gme persons perhaps can hardly be taught
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