TH

Of Reftitution.

"Hat I may diftinctly explain the Nature of Reftitution,

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and thence convince the Sick Perfon of the Neceffity of it, muft Premife;

That as our Duty is Twofold, Our Duty towards God, and Our Duty towards our Neighbour; So alfo Sins and Tranfgreffions, 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 fhall 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 against

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 Juftice of God is then fatisfied, and he will again receive us into his Grace and Favour, through the powerful Interceffon of our Dear Redeemer.

But now as to thofe Sins which do not barely Offend God, but are alfo Offenfive and Injurious to our Neighbour, the Cafe is different; and there is more required to the Pardon of fuch Sins.

For Sins against our Neighbour, do not only include an Of fence against God, (who hath commanded us to Love our Brother) but also an Affront and In-' jury 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 Difobedience against himself; yet he will not forgive the Affront and Injury against Men, till we have firft fought a Reconciliation with those we have Affronted, and have made Reftitution 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 Perfon. Which must be Attoned by Reconciliation.

2. Damage or Injury; not only to his Perfon, but also to the rest of his Concerns. For which, Satisfaction is to be made by Reftitution.

And

And first,

Of Reconciliation.

Here are fome Men of fuch The a proud petulant Humour, fo delighted with the Flashes of a fportful Wit, that they do not care whom they Abuse or Difparage, provided they may but gratify their own wanton Fancy.

Others are fo Envious and Malicious, fo uneafy 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 Refentments; by Whisperings, and Backbitings, and fuch like Methods of Slander and Detraction.

Now this Unfociable 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 fhall be guilty in either of these Instances, and thereby doth discover a Contempt of his Neighbours, and an hoftile Inclination to infult over them, or to vex and difquiet them, it is his Duty not only to beg pardon of God, but alfo to make fuch 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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