- mend right belief, by virtuous practice; that their example,
as well as their arguments, may propagate the truth.
In this course of instruction, he first mentions the civil relations of governours and subjects; and enjoins them to honour the supreme magistrate, and to respect all subordinate authority, which is established for the preservation of order, and the administration of justice. He then descends to domestick connections, and recommends to servants obedience and patience, and to husbands and wives their relative and respective duties, to husbands tenderness, and to wives obedience, modesty, and gentleness; that the husband, who is not yet converted by the power of exhortation, may be drawn to the religion of his wife, by perceiving its good effects upon her conversation and behaviour.
He then extends his precepts to greater generality, and lays down a short system of domestick virtue to be universally adopted; directing the new Christians,
First: To be all of one mind.
By the union of minds which the apostle recommends, it must be supposed that he means not speculative, but practical union; not similitude of opinions, but similitude of virtues. In religious opinions, if there was then any disagreement, they had then living authority to which they might have recourse; and their business was probably, at that time, more to defend their common faith against the heathen, than to debate any subtilties of opinion among themselves. But there are innumerable questions, in which vanity or interest engages mankind, which have little connection with their eternal interest; and yet often inflame the passions, and produce dislike and malevolence. Sects in philosophy, and factions in the state, easily excite mutual contempt, or mutual hatred. He whose opinions are censured, feels the reputation of his understanding injured; he, whose party is opposed, finds his influence resisted, and perhaps his power, or his profit, in danger of diminution. It could not be the intention of St. Peter, that all men should think
