was afforded by his conduct under persecution. " He was led as a lamb to the slaughter ;" "when he was reviled, he reviled not again ; when he suffered, he threatened not." Even martyrs dying for the truth have not always been able to avoid the prediction of evil to their persecutors ; so much easier is it to abstain from recompensing evil for evil, than really to love and pray for the good of our enemies. This, however, is Chris- tian duty; such is the spirit of the gospel. Just so far, therefore, as we find our hearts indisposed to bless those who curse us, or inclined to indulge even a secret satisfaction when evil comes upon them, are we unchristian in our temper, vs. 19 — 21.
7. Nothing is so powerful as goodness ; it is the most efficacious means to subdue enemies and put down opposition. Men, whose minds can withstand argument, and whose hearts rebel against threats, are not proof against the persuasive influence of unfeigned love ; there is, therefore, no more important collateral reason for being good, than that it increases our power to do good, vs. 20, 21.