On this subject we would found a word or two of
1. Be cautious not too hastily to take offence —
[Innumerable circumstances may exist, wliich, if known to us, would make us form a very different judgment of men and things, from that which at first sight we have entertained y. To weigh, and consider, and inquire, is the part of true wisdom : but to be precipitate is a certain indication of folly ^ ]
2. If offence be taken at you, labour to the utter- most to pacify it —
[This was a leading feature in the character of Jesus ^;
and it must be so in that of all his followers^ "To feed
our enemies, and heap coals of fire on their heads," is the Christian's duty : therefore, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good^"]
y See this illustrated Josh. xxii. 11 — 34. ^ Eccl. vii. 9.
a Jam. i. 19, 20. ^ Eph. iv. 1—3. and Col. iii. 12, 13.
•= Rom. xii. 20, 21.
Judg. viii. 4. Faint, yet pursuing.
THERE are those who speak of Gideon as a type of Christ. But, excepting as a deliverer raised up in an extraordinary manner to Israel, there is scarcely sufficient correspondence between him and our blessed Lord to justify such a representation of him. As an example to the Church in all ages, and especially as illustrating for our benefit the power and efficacy of faith, we can have no hesitation in com- mending him to your most particular attention : for he is not only set forth in Scripture under that cha- racter in common with many other eminent men, but, together with David and Samuel, he is proposed to us as a pattern which we are bound to follow : " Seeing that we are encompassed with such a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us, and let us run with