*Susurrus is a pious, temperate man, remarkable for abundance of excellent qualities. No one more constant at the service of the church. His charity is so great, that he almost starves himself, to be able to give greater alms to the poor.
19. Yet Susurrus had a prodigious failing along with these great virtues.
He had a mighty inclination to hear and discover all the defects and infirmities of all about him. You was welcome to tell him any thing of any body, provided that you did not do it in the stile of an enemy. He never disliked an evil-speaker, but when his language was rough and passionate. If you would but whisper any thing gently, tho’ it was ever so bad, Susurrus was ready to receive it.
When he visits, you generally hear him relating, how sorry he is for the failings of such a neighbour. He is always letting you know how tender he is of the reputation of his neighbour; how loth to say that which he is forced to say; and how gladly he would conceal it, if it could be concealed.
Susurrus had such a tender, compassionate manner of relating things the most prejudicial to his neighbour, that he even seemed, both to himself and others, to be exercising a Christian charity, at the same time that he was indulging a whispering, evil-speaking temper.
Susurrus once whispered to a particular friend in great secrecy, something too bad to be spoke of publickly. He ended with saying, how glad he was, that he had some hopes it might not be true, tho’ the suspicions were very strong. His friend made him this reply:
You say, Susurrus, that you are glad it has not yet taken wind; and that you have some hopes it may not prove true. Go home therefore to your closet, and pray to God for this man, in such a manner, and with such earnestness as you would pray for yourself on the like occasion.
Beseech God to interpose in his favour, to save him from false accusers, and bring all those to shame, who, by uncharitable whispers, and secret stories, wound him, like those that stab in the dark. And when you have made this prayer, then you may, if you please, go tell the same secret to some other friend, that you have told to me.
20. Susurrus was exceedingly affected with this rebuke, and felt the force of it upon his conscience in as lively a manner, as if he had seen the books opened at the day of judgment.
All other arguments might have been resisted; but it was impossible for Susurrus either to reject, or follow this advice, without being equally self-condemned in the highest degree.