receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations'^'' The peace- iTiakers, on the contrary, will " bear the infirmities of the weak'';" will deny themselves many lawful things, rather than wound a tender conscience'; and will " become all things to all men™:" in short, they will do any thing, or forbear any thing, that they may " keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace "."
View them in the family. Here they are conspicuous for their unremitting exercise of forbearance and love. They do not take offence at every trifle : and, instead of thwarting the little humours and peculiarities of those around them, they are happy to gratify them, and to win their affections by courtesy and condescension. They remember that wise proverb, " Where no wood is, the fire goeth out ; so where there is no tale-bearer, the strife ceaseth°:" and, fro.n a regard to this, they will not listen to talcs and stories ; much less will they contribute to the circulation of them. If constrained to hear one side of a question, they will suspend their judgment till they have heard the other : and will be studious to weaken, rather than confirm, the unfavourable impressions of the accuser's mind. If a person seem determined to strive with them, they will rather yield their right, than maintain a controversy with himP. Their conduct in their families may be briefly summed up in those words of David, " They keep thcu* tongue from evil, and their lips from speaking guile : they depart from evil, and do good; they seek peace, and pursue it\"'\
2. To restore it where it is not —
[They do not impertinently obtrude themselves on others, or interfere in concerns which belong not to them : they are aware that " he who meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one who taketh a dog by the ears"^." Yet, if they see an opportunity where they may properly interpose, they are willing, even at a considerable risk, to exert themselves to the utmost for the restoration of peace. If chosen, or per- mitted to arbitrate between parties, they will not undertake the office but in a spirit of love, and with an ardent longing to accomplish the desired end. In executing the office of an umpire, they guard against any undue bias; well knowing, that without the strictest impartiality they can never hope to bring over the contending parties to an acquiescence in their decisions. Having begun the good work, they will persevere in it, notwithstanding all the discouragements which they may
* Rom. xiv. 1. k Rom. XV. 1. • Rom.xiv. 21. lCor.viii.13. "^ ] Cor. ix. 19—22. . u Eph. iv. 3.
" Prov. xxvi. 20. p 1 Cor. vi. 7. See Gen. xiii. 8, 9.
^ Ps. xxxiv. 13, 14. with 1 Pet. iii. 8—11. » Prov. xxvi. 17.