A new history of ecclesiastical writers containing an account of the authors of the several books of the Old and New Testament, of the lives and writings of the primitive fathers, an abridgement and catalogue of their works ... also a compendious history of the councils, with chronological tables of the whole / written in French by Lewis Ellies du Pin.

Of Forgiving, and against Revenge.

THE Second effect of Charity towards our Neighbour, is forgiving of our Enemies, in opposi∣tion to a Spirit of Revenge, of Enmity and Resentment. S. Chrysostom declaims severely against this Vice, in an Homily purposely composed on that Subject, which is the Twenty-second, concerning Statues. These are some of his Notions.

The revengefull Man, saith he, is not less unworthy of the Communion, than the Blasphemer and Adulterer. The lewd Person puts an end to his Crime when he has satisfied his impure Desire; but he that keeps up an obstinate Hatred, sins continually, and never makes an end. The fire of Lust is spent by enjoyment; but that of Hatred feeds it self, and is renewed every moment. With what face then can we implore the Mercy of God, whilst we are full of bitter hatred against our Brethren? Your Bro∣ther hath done you an injury; but doe you not often commit injuries against God? Doe you compare the Servant with his Master? In the mean time, he that wrongeth you, was perhaps wrong'd by you before: But what wrong hath God ever done you? or rather what benefits hath he not taken pleasure to bestow upon you, and you in requital return only injuries to him again? In a word; pretending to be revenged of others, you punish your selves: The hatred you harbour, is your own tormenter, to tear your own bowels. Is there any thing more un∣happy than he who meditates revenge? He is a Mad-man that never enjoyeth any rest, his

Heart being filled with Storms and Troubles: He abhorreth all the Actions, the Words, and the very Name of his Enemy. And to what end is this Fury, and these Torments? We ought to forgive our Enemies to prevent the pains we feel by hating them. What folly is it to seek revenge at our own cost; to doe our selves a great mischief, that another may receive a lesser, &c.

See the 61st. Homily upon S. Matthew; the 39th. upon S. John; the 38th. upon the Acts; an Homily upon the Epistle to the Thessalonians, and several other places.