SECTION III. 577 would leave the memory ofa hero behind him ? Religion will not endure the duelling principle, any more than all the heresies since Simon Magus. It is a principle so full of pride and passion and revenge; so tempestuous and absurd ; so absolutely unallied to reason and good nature, that polished heathenism would be ashamed of it. In a word, it is as contrary to the tendency and temper of christianity, as Hobbes' creed is to the apostles, as light is to darkness, as God is to the devil." Perhaps, you imagine you must part with the character of a gentleman, or a than of honour, if you refuse achallenge; but " fear it not." As long as the laws areon our side, the heraldry is all safe. And if it were otherwise, let us remember we are Christians. If there happens a competition between these two pretensions, let us drop the gentleman and keep the Christian; for he is a person of the best quality. " But you are afraid your rival will post you up for á coward, and what then ? Why then, you should mind it no more than the railing of a man in a fever, or a proclamation from Bedlam." Thus far that ingenious writer. But the case is far different, if your enemy drawupon you and assault you ; for then, your first business is to keep within the compass of self-defence, as long as you can; and if any mischief happen afterwards, andbloody events ensue, you stand justified by the laws ofGod and man, and may answer for it with innocence and honour whether in this world or the next. CONCLUSION. THUS T think it bath been made abundantly evident, both by the light of reason and scripture, that the practice of self- murder cannever be justified, and that it is a crime of heinous and flagrant guilt both in the account of God and man.. These immortal spirits of ours are ordained for a season to dwell in tabernacles of flesh and blood ; curious tabernacle.Qtey are in- deed, thework of inimitable skill and the structure of a divine architect. The Almighty Builder is the great proprietor of his own work. We must remember therefore we are but tenants, and not lords : we have no right to demolish these fleshly build- ings at our pleasure, but are bound to maintain and repair them under all their totterings and decays, till they become untenant- able and can be sustained no longer. If we presume to destroy these earthly dwellings, or suffer them to fall by our ill madage- ment, we must give a solemn account of such a guilty conduct to our great and sovereignLord. I have therefore endeavoured to manifest in various instances, that every step and tendency to- ward the destruction of one's self has something highly criminal in it, and partakes of the guilt of this sin. We throw ourselves VOL. VIII. 0 o
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=