and at the fame time that we make known the meekness of our difpofition by forgiving his ill offices, we approve our refolution by not attending to the confequences of his

anger. If our enemy is worth the gaining,

Forgiveness is the best and most approved method to accomplish that end; if he is not, Forgiveness is the beft method of punishing him, as it ferves most effectually to disappoint his aim, to fhew that his malice cannot reach us, and to gall him with that thought which men can least bear, that we hold him in contempt, and think him beneath our notice.

A falfe notion of honour may represent to us the conquering of an enemy as a great and glorious action; but true reason will tell us, that to conquer ourselves, and forgive an enemy, is much more great, and, as it is more difficult, more honourable likewife

likewife. This is indeed a fpecies of ho nour which will fcarce find its way into the breaft of a Hero, and meet with a favourable reception from thofe who call rafhnefs courage, and difgrace the name of Honour by applying it improperly. Confider the prefent acceptation of that word; we might imagine that it was the fworn foe of Honesty, Reason, and Religion, instead of being the genuine offspring of them all. A modern Man of Honour (as He calls himfelf, and as the World will be complaifant enough to call him) lives to Paffion, and not to Reafon; He lives in a conftant fubjection to the opinions of others, nor for a moment fuffers himself to have an opinion of his own; he takes things upon truft from thofe whom he ought least to depend upon; he fears fhame more than guilt, the imputation of crimes more than being criminal; he trembles at reproach (though

(though undefervd) more than at danger, or even death, and prides himfelf on his courage at the very instant that he gives the strongest proof of his being a Coward. To revenge, even in what we mifcall an honourable way, is an effort which many a Coward hath against his nature forced himself to make, but we cannot meet with a fingle inftance where he could induce himself to forgive. This is a task left for men of great and generous difpofitions, for men who are as much above fearing, as doing ill, for men who have a true fenfe of Honour, and, in confequence thereof, doing every thing which They ought to do, fear nothing but what They ought to fear.

Another, and no weak motive to the forgiveness of our enemies, is that quiet, and fatisfaction of mind which naturally refults from it. The man of a revengeful

fpirit

fpirit lives in a perpetual ftorm, he is his own tormentor, and his guilt of course becomes his punishment. Thofe paffions, which prompt him to wreek his vengeance on his enemies, war against his own foul, and are inconfiftent with his peace. Whether he is at home or abroad, alone or in company, They ftill adhere to him, and engrofs his thoughts; and Providence hath with the greatest reafon ordained, that whofoever meditates against the peace of another fhall, even in the defign, lose his own. The thoughts of Revenge break in upon his most serious and important bufinefs, embitter his moft rational entertainments, and forbid him to relish any of those good things which God hath placed within his reach; ever intent on the contrivance of mischief, or engaged in the execution, mortified with disappointments, or, his defigns accomplished, tortured with reflection,

he

he lives the life of a devil here on earth, and carries about a hell in his own breast. Whereas the meek man, who lives in a constant course of good will to all, who gives no man caufe to be his enemy, and dares to forgive those who are fo without a cause, hath a constant spring of pleasure in himself; let what will happen from without, he is fure of peace within. So far from being afraid to converfe with himself, he feeks and is happy in the opportunity of doing it, and meets with nothing in his own breast but what encourages him to keep up and cherish that acquaintance. The Paffions which he finds there, instead of being tyrants, are fervants; he knows the danger of obeying, and the impoffibility of rooting them out; and, whilft he forbids them to affume an undue influence, makes them the instruments of promoting his happinefs. Happy in himfelf, he is eafy to

all;