quence to us, and in this we are all moft SERm. nearly and intimately concerned. Let experience then, let example, let reason and religion teach us to avoid it, for the future, as I have proved to you, anger defeats its own end and purpose, hurts our character and reputation, and destroys our peace and happiness; it makes us uneafy to ourselves, hateful to man, and unacceptable to God. If our health is precious, if reputation is dear to us, if there be any thing dreadful in noife, clamours, and confufion, any thing delightful in joy and tranquillity; if we hope, in fhort, for peace here, and pardon hereafter, let us not be hafty in our Spirit to be angry, for anger refteth in the bofom of fools. Let us then place before our eyes the great model and standard of perfection, the XXVII. XXVII. SERM. the example of our, bleffed Saviour and Redeemer, the meek and humble Jesus ; let us behold him languifhing under evil, fubmitting to all the bitterness of reproach, fpurned, buffetted, defpised, and rejected of men, oppreffed by his enemies and deferted by his friends, yet bearing all with patience and refignation; without anger and invective; angry, he anfwered not; when he was reviled, he reviled not again. Finally, then, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatfoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatfoever things are lovely, whatjoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, if there be any praife, think on these things; and the God of peace be with you. (225 SERMON XXVIII. LUKE VI. 37. Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. XXVIII. FORGIVENESS of injuries may be SERM. |