three hundred. Thus it is that innumerable quarrels arise, when a moment's inquiry would shew, that no reason for them exists, or at least no reason for such resentment as is felt by the offended person. Behold Da\'id, when Nabal had refused him the refreshments which he desired : nothing short of the death of Nabal and all his adherents was deemed a sufficient atonement for his offence. But when Abigail had brought Da\'id to reflection, he found that his vindictive purposes were liighly criminal ; and that, if his anger was not groundless, it far exceeded that which the occasion called for p. In a word, this hastiness of temper prevents men from listening to the dic- tates of reason, and makes them deaf to every consideration of truth and equity.]
The readiness with which unreasonable men take offence, makes it important to inquire, II. How judicious men may pacify it —
Truly admirable was the conduct of Gideon on this occasion : and his success may well recommend it to our imitation. Indeed the general rules de- ducible from it are as good as any that can be sug- gested. When a person is offended at us without a cause, we should endeavour, as far as circumstances will admit of it, to calm his mind,
1. By patience and forbearance —
[Not a word of recrimination dropped from the mouth of Gideon. He inight perhaps have justly said, that when the Ephraimites knew his determination to oppose the Midianites, they had never offered their services, or come forward to assist him in the undertaking : but, when the danger was over, they were ready to impute evil to him for omissions which were chargeable only on themselves. But he did not so much as glance at any thing that might either betray irritation in his own mind, or strengthen it in theirs. Though " they did chide sharply with him," he bore it with a meekness that was truly amiable and praiseworthy. Now this was an excellent way to conciliate their minds, even if he had deserved all the blame that they imputed to him : Solomon justly observes, that "yielding pacific th great offences i." It is recrimination that fans the flame, and causes it to burst forth into destructive quarrels. The common progress of disputes may be seen in the case of Israel and Judah after the death of Absalom; where, each of them justifying his own cause, the result was, that the dispute on both sides grew, till the accused were more incensed
P 1 Sam, XXV. 32 — 35. h Eccl. x. 4.