of Death, and the fame Apoftle puts Slanderers 1 Cor. 6. and Revilers with those that fhall not inherit the 10. Kingdom of God; and when he reckons up the

Sins of the Laft times, Evil-speakers are in the 2 Tim. 3. Lift of that black Catalogue. St. Peter joins 2, 3. Evil-speakings with Malice, Hypocrify, and Envy, 1 Pet. 2.1. Offsprings of Hell, which we muft lay afide entirely, if we defire the fincere Milk of the Word, ver. 2. that we may grow thereby: And notwithstanding the highest Pretences to Religion, St. James affures us, that he who bridleth not his Tongue, James 1. that Man's Religion is vain.

Q. Wherein appears the Heinoufnefs of this Vice?

26.

A. In that it robs our Neighbour of one of the most valuable Things in the World, which is often purchased at the Hazard of his Life, his Reputation and Good-name, in the Judgment of Solomon, better than precious Ointment. In that it Ecclef. 7. is contrary to that wife Dictate of Nature, of do- 1. ing to others as we would they should do unto us; and is an open Violation of that Christian Doctrine of Charity, fo dear to our Saviour, by which he distinguished his Difciples, and which was to remain as the true Character of the Children of God. It is the Sign of a weak Mind, that is not able to bear the Luftre of Merit and Virtue; the Mark of a mean and cruel Temper, unworthy of a Man, to delight in wounding our Neighbour, or to widen thofe Wounds others have made.

Q. What are thofe Difguiles in which this Vice too often appears?

A. Sometimes it puts on the Appearance of Friendship, and is ushered in with great Commendations; that the Wound that is given may

be

be fure and deep. Sometimes it counterfeits the Shape of Zeal for God's Glory: It pretends to be Love of Juftice, and a compaffionate Senfe of the Faults of our Neighbour, or a violent and juft Sorrow caufed by that Outrage that is done to God. But whatever falfe Reafons may be given for this Practice, it is always a Breach of the great Duty of Charity, and it is a Mark of falfe Devotion to tear in Pieces the Reputation of those that oppofe our Defigns, and to think to make an agreeable Offering to God of what we facrifice either to our Revenge or to our Jealoufy.

Q. How should we behave ourselves when we bear our Neighbour ill-fpoken of? i

A. We fhould endeavour to divert fuch Difcourfe, and difcourage fuch fort of Converfation by all prudent Methods. We should urge what we can in our Neighbour's Vindication, and upon this Occafion cite the Examples of fuch innocent Perfons as have been oppreffed with Calumny. We fhould difcover the Contradiction and Impoffibility of what is advanced to defame him, if the Matter will admit of it. We may appeal to his paft Actions; and, to the ill Reports concerning him, oppofe all the Good that is otherwife known of him, to weaken the Detraction, and to take off the Credit of it. If the Matter is too evident to be denied, we may endeavour to diminish the Guilt of it by imputing it to Ignorance or Surprize, or to the Strength of Temptation, and. by owning that the best People might have found Difficulties in Auch dangerous Circumftances. But by no Means muft we fhew any Pleafure or Satisfaction in what is related to our Neighbour's Prejudice,

left

left we encourage the Detractor, and become
Partakers with him in his Guilt.

Q. How may we conquer this epidemical Vice,
fo injurious to our Salvation?

A. By mortifying thofe irregular Paffions from whence this unchriftian Practice doth proceed; as our Pride, which falfly perfuades us that we exalt ourselves by debafing others; our Envy, which makes us look upon the Happiness of others with an evil Eye, and provokes us to difturb it; our Malice and Revenge, which prompt us to injurious Refentments; our impertinent Curiofity, which is always meddling with what doth not belong to us. But nothing is more neceffary in order to mafter this reigning Sin, than a firm Refolution never to speak the leaft Ill of any one; for whoever gives himself the Liberty to publifh the Evil he knows of another, though never fo inconfiderable, whoever talks with Pleafure of fuch Faults, though known by every Body, may be likely to fall into real Defamations. For it is difficult to ftop where the Power and Corruption of Nature is strong; befides, by indulging fmall Neglects we fortify our evil Inclinations, and by Degrees contract a Habit of Detraction.

The PRAYERS.

I.

Everlasting God, who haft ordained and For the conftituted the Services of Angels and Protection Men in a wonderful Order, mercifully grant' of Angels. that, as thy holy Angels always do thee Service in Heaven, fo by thy Appointment they may

fuccour

For God's
Protection

Souls and

fuccour and defend me on Earth, through Jefus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A b

II.

Lmighty God, who feest that we have no Power of ourselves to help ourselves, of our keep me both outwardly in my Body, and inBodies. wardly in my Soul; that I may be defended from all Adverfities which may happen to the Body, and from all evil Thoughts which may affault and hurt the Soul, through Jefus Chrift our Lord. Amen.

Thankf giving for

III.

T is very meet, right, and my bounden Duty, that I fhould at all Times, and in all the Deli- Places, give Thanks unto thee, O Lord, Almighty and Everlafting God: Because thou Church, haft in all Ages defended thy holy Spouse the

verances

of the

Church from the fiery Affaults of all her Enemies; from the Fraud and Malice of Hereticks and deceitful Men; from the crafty Infinuations of all them that work Vanity; from the Cruelty and Barbarity of those who have openly fought her Destruction; and from the Treachery and Perfidiousness of those who have pretended Kindnefs in order to ruin her with the greater Advanrage. Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the Company of Heaven, I laud and magnify thy glorious Name, evermore praifing thee, and saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hofts, Heaven and Earth are full of thy Glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord moft High. Amen.

IV. Blef

IV.

Leffed God, whofe Throne is encirculed with For the

God's

ven.

Faces as not being able to behold the Brightnefs Will on of thy Majefty, and who delight in their At-Earth as tendance upon thofe Ministries whereunto thou it is done haft appointed them; I thy unworthy Creature in Heaproftrate myself in all Humility at thy Footftool, befeeching thee to give me Grace to do thy Will on Earth with the fame Diligence and Induitry, with the fame Zeal and Chearfulness, as thy bleffed Angels do it in Heaven; that imitating their exemplary Obedience, conftant Devotion, profound Humility, unspotted Purity, and extensive Charity, I may engage their Protection in all my Neceffities; and may particularly enjoy the Advantage of their Affistance in my laft Hour, in that dismal Conflict with Death and the Powers of Darkness; and being by them conducted to the Mansions of Glory, may be advanced to a more intimate and happy Society with them in the Life to come, through Jefus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SE

V.

of the

ET a Guard, O Lord, upon my Lips, that For the I offend not with my Tongue. Let Pru-Governdence and Circumfpection always attend to fhut ment out fuch Difcourfes as border the leaft upon Evil-Tongue. fpeaking. That I may be tender of the Reputation of my Neighbour, and never diminish his Good-name by fpreading any evil Reports concerning him; that the Deformity of his Body, and the Weaknefs of his Mind, may never be the Subject of my light Mirth. That I may never

encourage