1. For ourselves.

1. To discharge ourselves from the Blood of others, Ezek. iii. 18, 20.

2. That we may not partake with them in Sin, Ephef. v. 11. Act. xx. 26. Qui non vetat peccare cum poteft, jubet. 2. For others, to keep them from Sin and Hell, S. Jam. v. 20. S. Matt. xviii. 15. Ezek. iii. 26.

But very particular Care is to be taken in giving Reproof, that it be,

1. Perfonal, or before their Faces, 2 Sam.

xii. 7.

2. With Prudence, S. Jude 22, 23. S. Matt. vii. 6.

3. Humble, Levit. xix. 17. S. Jam. i. 20. 4. Scriptural, 2 Tim. iii. 16.

5. Seafonable, S. Matt. xviii. 15. 1 Sam.

XXV. 37.

Οὐδὲ γὰ ὀνειδίζειν δε, ἀλλὰ νοθετών· ἐδὲ κατηγο ρῶν, ἀλλὰ συμβελεύειν· ἐδὲ μετὰ ἀπονοίας οπλί θεος, ἀλλὰ μετὰ φιλοςοςγίας διορθῆν, Chryf.

II. Pofitively.

Not to entertain a bad Opinion of any Man, without a just Cause.

1. Not of any Man's Perfon, S. Luk. xiii. 32.

2.

3.

4.

Because,

Words, Pfal. Ivi. 5.

Actions, S. Luk. xix. 17.

much lefs, of his Thoughts.

1. We fhould do to others, as we would have others do to us, S. Matt. vii. 12. 2. Hereby we rob our Neighbour of his Due, even Credit, which is, and ought to be moft Dear to us. Because,

1. Man is most honourable of all Creatures.

2. His Honour is in his Holinefs, 1 S. Pet.

i. 15.

3. By judging him, we pronounce him finful, and fo deprive him of his Honour, Rom. xiii. 7.

3. This breeds a Contempt of him, Rom. xiv.

3, 10.

4. This is Ufurping the Prerogative of God,
Rom. xiv. 4. S. Jam. iv. 12.

5. We ourselves fhall be judged;
1. By Men, S. Matt. vii. 1, 2.
2. By God, Rom. xiv. 10.
Who will judge,

USE.

1. Our Perfons.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Thoughts, Rom. ii. 15, 16.
Affections.

Words, S. Matt. xii. 36.
Actions, 2 Cor. V. 10

1. How far are fuch from obeying Chrift, who are always cenfuring others?

2. Let us judge ourselves rather than others, 2 Cor. xiii. 5.

For,

1. Judging others doth but aggravate our

own Sins.

2. We have Sins enough of our own to judge ourselves for. And,

3. We know more of our own Sins, than of other Mens, S. Matt. vii. 3, 4,

S. MATT. vi. 20.

But lay up for yourselves Treasures in Heaven.

I. WH Heaven?

HAT Treafures can we lay up in

1. The Love and Favour of God, which will be very beneficial in this World, Ephef. ii. 7. Ffal. iv. 6. Rom. viii. 28.

2. Everlasting Glory and Happiness, containing all manner of true Riches, and therefore exprefs'd by the Names that we give to the Riches. of this World; as,

Manfions, S. Job. xiv. 2.

White Raiment, Rev. iii. 4, 5.

A Pearl of great Price and Treasures, Matt. xiii. 44, 45.

A Crown, 1 Pet. v. 4. 2 Tim. iv. 8.

An Inheritance, 1 Pet. i. 4.

A Kingdom, S. Luk. xii. 32.

Such Treasures as no Man is able to exprefs or conceive, 1 Cor. ii. 9.

II. What does our Saviour mean by Laying up Treafures in Heaven?

In general, to be charitable to the poor, and so to ufe the Things of this World, as to recover the Favour of God by them, and have Comfort of them hereafter, S. Luk. xii. 33, 34. and xvi. 9. 1 Tim. vi. 18.

Now to direct you in this weighty Business, we fhall confider,

L

1. Who ought to give."

1. Every one, tho' he is not able, yet fhould be willing, 2 Cor. viii. 12.

2. They only are bound actually to give, who have fomething of their own, I Fob. iii. 17. Ifa. lxi. 8.

3. Hence, not only the Rich, 1 Tim. vi. 17. but Men of the lowest Estate, even fuch as labour with their Hands, ought to give fomething, Ephef. iv. 28. S. Mar. xii. xlii. Act. xx. 34.

2. How much is every one bound to give? 1. Bountifully, 2 Cor. ix. 6.

2. Proportionably to his Estate, 1 Cor. xvi. 2. More than we spend upon our Lufts, our Pleasures, and our Vanities.

3.

4. What ourselves have no real need of, 2 Cor. viii. 14.

5. Sometimes what is neceffary, when others Neceffities are greater than our own, 2 Cor. viii. 3.

3. How ought we to give?

1. From a Senfe of our Duty to God.
2. Out of Love and Pity to our distressed
Brother, I Cor. xiii. 3.

3. Willingly, 2 Cor. viii. 3, 10, 11, 12. 1 Tim.
vi. 18.

4. Chearfully, 2 Cor. ix. 7. Rom. xii. 8. 5. Readily, without Delay, Prov. iii. 27, 28.

Deut. XV, 10.

6. Thankfully, 1 Chron. xxix. 13, 14. 7. Sincerely and from a right End, and therefore,

1. Not from Kain-glory, S. Ma. vi. 1, 2. for that makes it no good Work, and hinders the Reward, ibid. Such Men

G 3

Men giving not to the Poor, but to
themselves; nay, they do not give,
but fell, bartering their Money for
the Praife of Men.

2. Not to merit thereby from God.
3. But for his Honour and Glory, Prov.
iii. 9. 1 Cor. X. 31.

4. To whom should we give?

1. To the Poor in general, Act. xx. 35. 1 Joh. iii. 17.

2. But with these Diftin&tions.

1. To those who have the greatest Neceffities in the first Place.

2. Our own Relations before others, S. Matt. xv. 5, 6. S. Joh. xix. 27.

3. Our own Families, 1 Tim. v. 8.

4. The Good before the Bad, Gal. vi. 10. Rom. xii. 13.

To enforce Obedience to this Command; confider,

1. It is implanted in our Natures, S. Matt. vii. 12.

2. God hath made it our Brother's Due: This being the way whereby God provides for the Poor, Mal. iii. 8. Deut. xxvi. 12, 13.

3. There is a Bleffing entail'd upon it, Act. XX. 35. yea, it brings a Bleffing upon all we have, Prov. xxviii. 27. and iii. 9, 10.

4. All that we have is God's, 1 Chron. xxix. 1I. Deut. xxvi. 1, 10.

5. Yet, what we give He will restore, Prov. xix. 17.

6. For Chrift looks upon it as done to Himfelf, S. Matt. XXV. 34.

7. By Charity we imitate, and are like unto God, S. Luk. vi. 36.

8. With