I thought it would be of a benefit to some, to introduce some passages taken out of a book that I did obtain some years back titled, "Private Thoughts On Religion", by Thomas Adam (1701 - 1784). The book contains extracts from his own private diary, and was published shortly after his death. I came across it upon reading Andrew Bonar's "Memoirs And Remains Of M'Cheyne", in where Robert M'Cheyne is to say, "Oh, for the humility of Adam" upon reading "Private Thoughts". Thereupon, at that time, I decided within myself, "If M'Cheyne said that of this man and his book, I must get myself a copy."
The excerpts in this initial post are taken from the chapter, "Charity", and recorded on pages 209 - 211.
"It is a great fault, even of good men, to expect that others should be convinced of, and brought to own the truth all at once, and perhaps to be angry if they are not: Neither considering how difficult it is for such a blind and proud creature as man to see the truth and own his mistakes; nor by what slow degrees they arrived at it themselves. Little good comes by disputing. Pride is generally at the bottom of it, and not charity, or the love of truth; and it is seldom managed with decency and candour enough to produce any good effect. Let fall a word in season, and wait in patience till the rain drops upon it from heaven."
"Though St Paul, in 1Cor 13 desribes charity only by its effects, as exerted towards men, yet the essence of charity, and the root and cause of these effects is, and must be, the love of God. Man in his natural state may love some few particulars, and those perhaps disinterestedly; but he cannot love man as such, or the human nature in general, till he himself is transformed into the divine."
"If we are truly foremost in the christian course, there will be no triumphing, or carrying ourselves aloft upon it, we shall be heartily sorry to see others so far behind us."
"I do not know that any pagan writer ever mentions or recommends, what Christ calls the first and greatest commandment; viz. the love of God. And yet this is the grand duty of man to his Maker, the basis and essence of virtue; and the grand means of happiness; when this is wanting, all our performances, how specious soever, are not only uncomfortable and unacceptable, but sinful."
"It is a matter of no small difficulty to be silent with reason on our side. And yet, for peace sake, and the preservation of decorum, or what is more essential, of charity and tranquillity, it is for the most part necessary to acquiesce, even in things of some consequence; how much more in trifles and matters of ordinary conversation."
"When any one is discomposed, and peevish for nothing or mere trifles, I see immediately the odiousness of such a temper, and the weakness of mind it proceeds from. Perhaps it will be my turn to-morrow. Let it be a rule with me upon such occassions to do all I can to heal and soften, and never to irritate; and especially to guard against the infection of the disorder, and hatred of the person."
"Liking and esteeming others merely for their agreement with us in religion, opinion, and manner of living, is only a less-offensive kind of self-adoration."
"Speaking ill of others at all, unless it be to prevent mischief to religion or our neighbour, is only for the sake of tickling ourselves, and those that hear us, with a comparison; proceeds from pride; and has no other tendency but to increase it."