Sermons preached

1. How securely and safely might we live one by another? Whence come all the Oppressions and Injuries wherewith the World aboundeth, but for want of love to their Neighbours, ⟨p. 369⟩as themselves? How easily might we be brought to pardon Wrongs? And how patiently would we bear the modest Dissent of others, when their Judgments are not of our Size and Mould? How far would we be off doing hurt to others, even as far as doing hurt to our selves.

2. Consider how beneficial and mutually helpful Men would be to each other, seeking others good as their own; and rejoicing in an others Welfare as our own. If the World would but consider how much of Christianity doth consist in loving and doing good, as if all the World had but one Soul, one Interest, it would render it very amiable to them. Take this Rule quite away, and there is nothing so false, bad, cruel, that you would not be drawn to think, or say, or do against your Brother.

Secondly, It informs us, how much Mankind is degenerated, and how few true Christians are in the World; Witness our Injustice to the Names, Persons, and Estates of others. We are very critical in determining our own Rights and Proportions, and what others owe to us: Surely we have all reason to allow others what they justly expect. When you are slandered you are Passionate; and therefore should not you be tender of other Mens Names and Estates? When your Debts are detained you complain of Wrong; should we not be as Conscionable for the speedy Payment of others? To buy with a great Measure, and sell with a less is an Abomination to the Lord, and to Men. We judg things done to us thus and thus, and shall we be careless what we do to them? Uncharitableness, and want of Sympathy with us in our Troubles, much more insulting over us in our Miseries we look on with detestation, and shall we pursue and afflict others when we have Power to do hurt?