And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, [even] to the children of Heth.
Ver. 7. Abraham stood up and bowed himself, &c.] It is very comely in Christians to salute willingly; and in words and gestures to show civil respect even to wicked men. Abraham's behaviour to these Hittites may shame the most Christians; yea, the very Hittites themselves may teach them good manners. Even the savage cannibals, saith a grave divine, a may receive an answer of outward courtesy. If a very dog fawn upon us, we stroke him on the head, and clap him on the side. Much less is the common band of humanity untied by grace. If Elisha bade his man, or our Saviour his disciples, salute no man by the way, that was for haste's sake; they should not hinder themselves in their journey by overmuch courtesy. Our Saviour was sweet and sociable in his whole conduct, and the proud Pharisees upbraided him for it. He never refused to go to any man's table when invited, yea, to Zaccheus' he invited himself, not for the pleasure of the dishes, but for the benefit of so winning a conversation. Courtesy allureth men's minds, as fair flowers do their eyes. Pomponius Atticus so carried himself at Athens, ut communis infimis, par principibus videretur. b Alexander the Great, got the hearts of his foot soldiers, by calling them pezetairouv, his fellow footmen, c Aristotle, the better to insinuate into his hearers, read not to them (as other philosophers used to do) from a lofty seat or desk, but walking and talking with them familiarly, as with his friends, in Apollo's porch, he made them great philosophers. d Vespasian was as highly esteemed by the people for his courtesy, as Coriolanus contemned and condemned of all for his rusticity. With one churlish breath Rehoboam lost ten tribes, whom he would, and might not, recover with his blood. But whatsoever David did pleased the people. What a deal of courtesy passed between Boaz and his reapers! "The Lord be with you," said he; "The Lord bless thee," said they. Rth 2:4 The Turks' salutation at this day is, Salaum aleek, Peace be to thee: the reply is, Aleek salaum, Peace be to thee also. e The Romans had their χαιρς and their υγιαινε, answerable to our Good day, and Good evening. f That finger next to the thumb they called Salutaris, because they put that finger to their mouth (as at this day the Roman dames do) when they saluted any. g Charles V is renowned for his courtesy: when he passed by John Frederick the elector of Saxony, he always took off his hat and bowed to him, though he were his prisoner, and had been taken by him in battle. And when he had in his power Melancthon, Pomeran, and other divines of the reformed religion, he courteously dismissed them. h As he is the best Christian that is most humble; so is he the truest gentleman that is most courteous. Your haughty upstarts, the French call gentle-villains.
a Dr Hall.
b Corn. Nepos in Vita Attici.
c Harpocrat. in voce πεζεταιρος .
d των διδασκαλικων επιβεβηκοτες θρονων. - Diog.
e Blount's Voyage into the Levant.
f Dio in Vita Adriani .
g Becman., De Origin. in verbo Digitus .
h Parei Hist. Profan. Medul., p. 906. - Peacham's Complete Gentaleman.