326 FABLES. 



APPLICATION. 



THERE is something in the temper of man so 

 averse to severe and boisterous treatment, that he 

 who endeavours to carry his point in that way, 

 instead of prevailing, generally leaves the mind 

 of him whom he has thus attempted to subdue, in 

 a more confirmed and obstinate state. Bitter 

 words and hard usage freeze the heart into an 

 obduracy, which mild, persuasive, and gentle lan- 

 guage only can dissolve. Persecution has always 

 fixed those opinions which it was intended to 

 dispel; and the quick growth of Christianity in 

 early times, is attributed in a great measure to 

 the barbarous reception which its first teachers 

 met with in the Pagan world; and since that time 

 the different modes of faith which have grown out 

 of Christianity itself, have been each established 

 by the same kind of intolerant spirit. To reflect 

 upon these things, furnishes matter of wonder and 

 regret, for the benevolent Author of the Christian 

 religion taught neither intolerance nor persecution. 

 The doctrines he laid down are plain, pure, and 

 simple. They teach mercy to the contrite, aid to 

 the humble, and eternal happiness to the good. In 

 short, persecution is the scandal of all religion, and 

 like the North Wind in the Fable, only tends to 

 make a man Avrap his notions more closely about 

 him. 



