He must let the Persons Offended know, that now he is ashamed and forry for his fault. And must assure them, that his Temper is chang'd, and his Mind so alter'd, that they may fafely Converse with him, and never fear the like Indignities from him any more.

If this shall be thought a difficult Work, (for we are all backward to confess our Mistakes) the Sick Person must be reminded, that this is no more than what our Blessed Saviour requires of him.

If thou bring thy Gift to the Altar, faith he, and there, before thou Offerest it, remembrest that thy Brother, hath taken just Offence, and hath'ought against thee, (whether upon account of thy causeless Anger, in calling him Fool and Racha, or using any other opprobrious Language; or of any

other Affront or Injury whatso.

ever;) prefume not to think of appeasing God, before thou haft appeased him; but leave there thy Gift before the Altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy Brother, and then come and offer thy Gift, for thy Reconciliation unto God. Matth. 5. 23, 24.

Bitte, d

UT here, for preventing of to fatisfy the

Scruples of Tender Confciences, I must Observe Two Things.

1. Such Reconciliation is only a Duty, where it can be had.

Some Men are of such a rugged Temper, as not to be Difcoursed with: Or, fo Revengeful, as never to be Reconciled. They are eternal in their Hatred, and will not forgive an Injury to their Lives End.

If

If you have been so unhappy as to provoke any of these Furies, I pity your Cafe. However, be not too much Difcouraged: For though your Condition is Uncomfortable, it may be Safe.

When you have to deal with such Men, Express your Sorrow for Offending them. Beg Pardon for your Fault. Promise never more to repeat it. Be obliging in your Carriage for the time to come. And if this will not prevail, nor melt them into a Compliance, be not Dejected.

For God is Gracious, though Men are implacable. Neither doth God require, you should be actually reconciled, when it is not in your power. For he hath not made Impossibilities the Condition of your Pardon.

Do you therefore feek Reconciliation. And if you cannot obtain it, let this be your Comfort; fort; You have done your Duty. And be affured; God will never Condemn you, for the Obstinacy and Uncharitableness of Other Men.

2. Such Reconciliation is only a Duty When it can be had: And where you have an Opportunity to endeavour it.

The Reason of which Caution

is this.

Men that are of a Proud Petulant Humour, and of a Free Sportful Wit, may (in variety of Conversation) so often repeat fuch Abusive Practices, that when they begin to be ferious, and reform such Extravagancies, it will be impossible for them to remember, what Persons they have fo Abused; Or, When and Where to find them. And confequently, it will be impossible (by an Acknow

From

BP. Cofins.

Acknowledgment of their Faults) to be actually reconciled to them.

In fuch a Case all that can be done is this.

If there is no Opportunity of making your Acknowledgments at present, you must then firmly resolve to do it hereafter, when a fitting Season shall be offered ; and when the Persons can be found (and decently Addressed) that you have Affronted.

I

Then say as followeth.

AProtestation of Forgiveness.

Do most humbly defire all, and every one (known or unknown) whom I have Offended, Quarrelled with, or Affronted, that they would vouchsafe to Forgive me. O Lord, do thou forgive me.

And