"Charity thinks
no evil," sets down no bad motives for any one's conduct, but takes
for granted that he means well, whatever appearances may be; while
we (I speak of myself just as much as of any one), are we not
continually apt to be suspicious, jealous, to take for granted that
people mean harm; and even when we find ourselves mistaken, and that
we have cried out before we are hurt, not to consider it as any sin
against our neighbour, whom in reality we have been silently
slandering to ourselves? "Charity rejoices not in iniquity," but in
the truth, whatever it may be; is never glad to see a high professor
prove a hypocrite, and fall into sin, and shew himself in his true
foul colours; which we, alas! are too apt to think a very pleasant
sight.--Are not these wholesome meditations for Lent? "Charity
hopes all things" of every one, "believes all things," all good that
is told of every one, "endures all things," instead of flying off
and giving up a person at the first fault. Are not all these
points, which our own hearts, consciences, common sense, or whatever
you like to call it (I shall call it God's spirit), tell us are
right, true, necessary? And is there one of us who can say that he
has not offended in many, if not in all these points; and is not
that unrighteousness--going out of the right, straightforward,
childlike, loving way of looking at all people? And is not all
unrighteousness sin? And must not all sin be repented of, and that
AS SOON AS WE FIND IT OUT? And can we not all find time this Lent
to throw over these sins of ours?--to confess them with shame and
sorrow?--to try like men to shake them off? Oh, my friends! you who
are too busy for forty short days to make your immortal souls your
first business, take care--take care, lest the day shall come when
sickness, and pain, and the terror of death, shall keep you too busy
to prepare those unrepenting, unforgiven, sin-besotted souls of
yours for the kingdom of God.
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