Rank, Magiftrates, Parents, Masters, Teachers, or any others, have by Virtue of their respective Stations, though deferving their utmoft Regard, and too many for me to enumerate now: and therefore I fhall only fet before you fome of the Means, by which, independently of fuch Relations, we may be serviceable to each other.

any,

They, whom greater Abilities, or closer Attention, or more Experience, have made better Judges, either of the Conduct of Life in general, or of fuch and fuch Affairs in it, must frequently have noble Opportunities of directing the ignorant, and setting the mistaken right; of preventing the Diftreffes of this World, and even the Punishments of the next. Advice indeed, is too commonly given fo as to produce little, if defirable Effect: at improper Times, in a haughty and provoking Manner, perhaps with a vifible Intention of only fhewing our Authority, or fuperior Wisdom. And therefore it exafperates and hardens, instead of convincing and reclaiming. Nay, it may be feared, there are thofe, who had rather their Counfel fhould not be followed; that they may triumph in publishing afterwards the ill Confequences of difregarding it. But they, who really defire to do Good in this Way, and will

apply

apply themselves with any Degree of that Care to prevail with others, which we use in bringing them over to ferve our own private Interefts, (and in Truth, doing Good is our most important Intereft) may certainly discover many fit Seafons and Methods of recommending Prudence, Virtue, Religion, to those with whom they converse.

Our Opinion fometimes is directly and fincerely asked, in a Point of Confequence. Then it is barbarous to refuse it: and almoft, if not quite, as bad, to give it with an artful Reserve, concealing or disguifing fomething material. But if Men do not afk us: it may be they know not, whom to afk, or how it would be taken, or have not the Courage, or poffibly are proceeding wrong without Sufpicion. How excellent a Charity now must it be, in any fuch Cafe, to do another a most effential Piece of Service of one's own Accord! Not every Bystander indeed, who finds himself inclined to dictate, is authorized to intermeddle. But real Well-wishers, who know the Circumstances of an Affair, and may have Weight, should not be too backward; and, for Fear of lofing their Labour, or poffibly difpleafing, fuffer another, perhaps a Friend, to fall into great InconveniE

VOL. IV.

ences,

ences, which speaking a few Words might have prevented, and fecured his Efteem and Gratitude ever after. Nay, if prudent Advice is not followed fo foon, or fo well, as might be wished; we ought not immediately to give up any one, either in Anger or Defpair. Good Sense will eafily perceive, where there is no Room left for Hope: and till then, good Nature will try on.

But indeed, when we have no Opportunity of giving Counfel to any particular Person, who hath taken a wrong Course, or is in Danger of it; being careful to set the Example of pious and virtuous and discreet Behaviour, is giving the best Counsel filently to all around us. And, if we do but join with it fit Evidences, on fit Occafions, of our approving, in others, Innocence and Beneficence, and difliking Folly, Wickedness, and Impiety, our Light will fo fhine before Men, that we may justly hope some at least will be led by it to glorify our Father, which is in Heaven, and become happy here and hereafter.

A fecond very valuable and very amiable Species of Kindness is, expreffing Concern for the Characters of those who are unjustly attacked. Every one must be fenfible, how fadly

f Matth. v. 16.

Detraction

Detraction and Calumny prevail in the World, how many Things utterly falfe are related, and how currently believed; what aggravating Circumstances are added, and invidious Turns given to Things in which there may be some Truth, quite fufficient to alter the Nature of them; and how much, not only of Vexation, but Mischief, is caufed, both by the malicious and the wanton Liberties, taken in this Refpect. Here then opens to us a large Field of performing most useful and acceptable Services one to another; which muft, in the End, redound alfo to our own Quiet and Security; by fhewing a general Distaste of Slander; and, where we can, the particular Reasons for disbelieving it. For we ought no more to let the Reputation, than the Perfon, of any one be wounded, if we can prevent fuch Cruelty. But, above all, we should contradict Falfhoods, when we are known to be acquainted with the Truth: else we shall be understood to confirm them, Indeed, Oppofition made to injurious Reports, by fome Persons, at fome Times, especially of epidemical Unreasonableness, may be to little Purpose, But then it is the peculiar Duty of fuch as have Credit and Influence, to ftop the Progress of fuch Wickedness: not to let it go on, and fe

cretly rejoice in it because it serves their Turn; but honestly do Justice to their keenest Adverfaries; and confider Enmity, as a peculiar Advantage for doing it effectually: because our Testimony in their Favour will be sure to ob tain Belief. And making this Use of our Situation will not only be truly Christian, and fingularly generous; but the likelieft Method, either of putting an End to the Difference, which should always be our first View, or of continuing it, if it muft continue, with great Honour to ourselves.

A third Way of being useful is, paying due Regard to the worthy and able, wherever we find them: fhewing Countenance to fuch, inftead of thofe who deferve or want it not: affifting them, when they set out with lefs favourable Circumftances of Friends or Fortune, or cannot fubmit to the ufual Arts of advancing themselves, and are pushed back by the forward Boldness of other Competitors. Or, if we are not able to ferve them ourselves, at least we may contribute to make their Merit known and particularly to fuch as can help them, and perhaps may be glad of their Help: fo that we may do a great Kindness to both at once. And if fuch Occafions do not offer, it may frequently be worth while to bestow some

Pains