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Of Restitution.

may distinctly explain the Nature of Restitution, and thence convince the Sick Person of the Neceffity of it, I muft Premise;

That as our Duty is Twofold, Our Duty towards God, and Our Duty towards our Neighbour; So also Sins and Transgressions, which are a Breach and Violation of that Duty, are likewife Twofold, viz. Sins against God, and Sins against our Neighbour.

Both these kinds of Sins shall certainly be Pardoned upon our true Repentance; because God, who is Faithful and Just, hath exprefly promised Pardon upon that Condition.

But now 'tis pertinent to obferve, That more is required to

perfect our Repentance of Sins againft

1

against our Neighbour, than of Sins against God only.

Sins against God only, are fufficiently Attoned by Reformation and Amendment. When we return to our Duty, and own the Divine Authority by a fincere Obedience, the Justice of God is then fatisfied, and he will again receive us into his Grace and Favour, through the powerful Interceffion of our Dear Redeemer. But now as to those Sins which do not barely Offend God, but are alfo Offensive and Injurious to our Neighbour, the Case is different; and there is more required to the Pardon of fuch Sins.

For Sins against our Neighbour, do not only include an Offence against God, (who hath commanded us to Love our Brother) but alfo an Affront and Injury against Men.

And

And therefore, though upon our true Repentance, God will forgive his share of the Sin, and will remit it so far as it is an Act of Disobedience against himself; yet he will not forgive the Affront and Injury against Men, till we have first fought a Reconciliation with those we have Affronted, and have made Restitution to those we have Wronged, by giving Satisfaction for the Damage that hath been done them.

From hence we may observe; That a Two-fold Offence may be committed against our Neighbour.

r. An Affront, or Neglect of his Person. Which must be Attoned by Reconciliation.

2. Damage or Injury; not only to his Person, but also to the reft of his Concerns. For which, Satisfaction is to be made by Restitution.

And

And first,

T

Of Reconciliation.

Here are some Men of fuch a proud petulant Humour, so delighted with the Flashes of a sportful Wit, that they do not care whom they Abuse or Difparage, provided they may but gratify their own wanton Fanсу.

Others are so Envious and Malicious, so uneasy at the Prosperity of their Neighbours, that though it is not their Talent Publickly to be Witty, yet they cannot forbear to express their Spleen, by Private Resentments; by Whisperings, and Backbitings, and fuch like Methods of Slander and Detraction.

Now this Unsociable Temper, from whatever Cause it may *. proceed, is not only disturbing

to

to Conversation, but is also a plain Breach of that Friendship, Good Will, and Mutual Confidence, which ought to be amongst

- Men.

For we all love to be valued and esteemed; and nothing is more uneafy than Scorn and Neglect.

Whoever therefore shall be guilty in either of these Instances, and thereby doth discover a Contempt of his Neighbours, and an hoftile Inclination to insult over them, or to vex and disquiet them, it is his Duty not only to beg pardon of God, but also to make such Penitential Acknowledgments, as may repair the Breach, and remove the Offence, he hath given to Others.

The Church directs him, Where he hath Offended any Other, to ask them Forgiveness.

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