136 BERTHA'S VISIT TO HER 



that, by supposing the fault our own, we may 

 consider in what light ,it would then appear to 

 us, and, consequently, lead us to act towards 

 others as we"should wish to be acted by. Our 

 Saviour meant that we should have a willingness 

 to forgive, and that we should habituate our 

 hearts to that amiable benevolence which dis- 

 poses us, under real provocation, to pardon, and 

 even to promote the good of those who have 

 injured us. It is astonishing how soon we can 

 acquire the habit of not gratifying resent- 

 ment. 



" One strong proof that it was never intended 

 that we should understand these rules too lite- 

 rally is, that we find, by the instructions of our 

 Lord to his apostles, as well as by their own 

 subsequent conduct, that they did not recom- 

 mend or practise either perfect insensibility 

 under injuries, or indifference to their character. 

 They occasionally resorted to such legal and 

 innocent means of guarding their safety and 

 good name, as were compatible with their situa- 

 tion and their peculiar mission. When, there- 

 fore, we see undoubted malignity in the conduct 

 of others towards us, we are justified in guarding 

 against its repetition ; but Christianity binds us, 

 at the same time, to moderation, and to omit 

 no opportunity of benefiting and reforming our 

 enemy, whose heart may be softened by the 

 control we exercise over our feelings, and who 



