Difference between revisions of "MEDITATION III."
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Now I leave my native land in peace with all, and wish well to friends and foes, as no doubt I have both. | Now I leave my native land in peace with all, and wish well to friends and foes, as no doubt I have both. | ||
| − | Gratitude binds me not to forget my friends. Grace binds me to forgive my foes. He carries an evil principle in his bosom, who goes away with rage, in hopes to return and revenge; for "anger rests only in the bosom of fools." It is a Christian grace to forgive even the worst of injuries; for it ennobles a man more to conquer the wicked principle of his corrupt nature, than to take a city. Would I revenge a personal quarrel on any at the day of judgment? Surely not! Shall I, then, carry rancor to the very grave, or lie down in a condition in which I would not wish to rise? Therefore my angry passion shall be converted into pity, and I will not only forgive men what they may have done amiss to me—but implore forgiveness for them in that wherein they may have offended God. Thus shall I go lightly, compared with the mental madman who cherishes revenge. He continually carries about with him a load of hurtful two-edged weapons, in hopes to find his foe, and satiate his revenge upon him. But, while he waits his opportunity, he slips a foot, and fails among the pointed weapons, which wound him unto death. So must every malicious person fare at last—who falls over the precipice of time into eternity—full of envy, and inflamed with wrath. | + | Gratitude binds me not to forget my friends. Grace binds me to forgive my foes. He carries an evil principle in his bosom, who goes away with rage, in hopes to return and revenge; for "anger rests only in the bosom of fools." |
| + | |||
| + | It is a Christian grace to forgive even the worst of injuries; for it ennobles a man more to conquer the wicked principle of his corrupt nature, than to take a city. Would I revenge a personal quarrel on any at the day of judgment? Surely not! | ||
| + | |||
| + | Shall I, then, carry rancor to the very grave, or lie down in a condition in which I would not wish to rise? Therefore my angry passion shall be converted into pity, and I will not only forgive men what they may have done amiss to me—but implore forgiveness for them in that wherein they may have offended God. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Thus shall I go lightly, compared with the mental madman who cherishes revenge. He continually carries about with him a load of hurtful two-edged weapons, in hopes to find his foe, and satiate his revenge upon him. | ||
| + | |||
| + | But, while he waits his opportunity, he slips a foot, and fails among the pointed weapons, which wound him unto death. So must every malicious person fare at last—who falls over the precipice of time into eternity—full of envy, and inflamed with wrath. | ||
[[MEDITATION IV.]] | [[MEDITATION IV.]] | ||
Latest revision as of 02:40, 6 January 2020
MEDITATION III.
THE TEMPER OF A TRAVELER.
Now I leave my native land in peace with all, and wish well to friends and foes, as no doubt I have both.
Gratitude binds me not to forget my friends. Grace binds me to forgive my foes. He carries an evil principle in his bosom, who goes away with rage, in hopes to return and revenge; for "anger rests only in the bosom of fools."
It is a Christian grace to forgive even the worst of injuries; for it ennobles a man more to conquer the wicked principle of his corrupt nature, than to take a city. Would I revenge a personal quarrel on any at the day of judgment? Surely not!
Shall I, then, carry rancor to the very grave, or lie down in a condition in which I would not wish to rise? Therefore my angry passion shall be converted into pity, and I will not only forgive men what they may have done amiss to me—but implore forgiveness for them in that wherein they may have offended God.
Thus shall I go lightly, compared with the mental madman who cherishes revenge. He continually carries about with him a load of hurtful two-edged weapons, in hopes to find his foe, and satiate his revenge upon him.
But, while he waits his opportunity, he slips a foot, and fails among the pointed weapons, which wound him unto death. So must every malicious person fare at last—who falls over the precipice of time into eternity—full of envy, and inflamed with wrath.