2. And if he hath Offended any Other, to ask them Forgiveness. 3. And where he hath done Injury or Wrong to any Man, that he make amends to the uttermost of his Power.

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And as a further Instance of Charity,

4. The Minister should not omit earnestly to move fuch Sick Persons as are of. Ability, to be liberal to

the Poor.

From these Directions of our Church, the Sick Perfon, is instructed, how to examine the Truth of his Repentance. And the Duties he is now to perform, may be reduced to these Two Generals.

1. Charity. 2. Restitution. Of which I shall discourse di

stinctly.

Charity is expressed,

1. In Forgiving. 2. Giving.

Of

S

Of Charity in Forgiving.

Uch is the Uncertainty of the Affairs of this World, and so great are the Mistakes which often happen in the hurry of Business; and so different are the Humours and Interests of Men with whom we Converse; that it is impossible for the most Pious and Prudent Perfon, to please and oblige all Sorts of Men. And those who are not pleased and obliged, will pretend to be out of Humour; and, in plain Terms, will be your Enemies.

From hence it is; That no Man in this captious World, can be fo Good or fo Cautious, as to live without Enemies.

Nay, many times because he is Good, he is fure to find Ene

mies......

Da

David complains of fome that were his Enemies, for that very Reason, because he was a follower of that which was good. Pfal. 38.

20.

And our Saviour foretold his Disciples, that they should be hated of all men for his names Sake. Matth. 10. 22.

A Good Man therefore must expect to find Enemies. Especially if he is Great as well as Good, and hath the Ornaments of Nature, or the Bleffings and Accommodations of this World, which others may want.

For fuch is the Malignant Temper of fome Men, that like the Spider, they draw Poifon out of the most fragrant Flowers; they envy and malign the Worth and Profperity of their Neighbours; and because Others are Happy, they make themselves Miferable..

I have mentioned these Pallages, that the Sick Man may not be discouraged, nor condemn himself too much, because he hath Enemies.

Only let him examine, how he hath behaved himself towards them.

Whether he hath observed the Command of our Blessed Saviour? I say unto you, Love your Enemies, Bless them that Curfe you, Do good to them that hate you, and Pray for them that deSpitefully use you and Perfecute you. Matth. 5. 44.

And though the Sick Man may think this a difficult Task, to be kind and obliging to those, who have not only affronted him, but perhaps have defigned his Ruin; yet he must Sacrifice his Revenge to his Religion. He must pardon and forgive them, if he will shew himself a Christian.

The

The Command of our Blessed Saviour is plain and express. I fay unto you, Love your Enemies. But because all our hopes of Mercy and Forgiveness from God, do depend upon our Forgiveness of Men, I shall thereFøre more fully enforce this Duty.

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Our Blessed Saviour exprefly tells us, That no Sacrifice that we can offer, will appease God towards us, so long as we our selves are implacable to Men. If thou bring thy gift to the Altar, and there remembrest that thy brother hath ought against thee ; leave thy gift before the Altar and go thy way ; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Matth. 5. 23, 24. Plainly intimating; Till this Duty of Reconciliation be difcharged, God will accept of no Service, no Sacrifice at thy hands.

It