The Second Head was, to consider the particular Misfortune of suffering,

1. As a Murderer.

2. As a Thief.

3. As a Busie-Body.

In considering the Misfortune of suffering as a Murderer, We observ'd; That if there was no Punishment inflicted by the Laws for this Sin, it self would punish it self: For what Horror of Thought must weigh upon the Soul of a Person, who has sent a poor Creature naked into Eternity, with all it's Sins about it. Thus, we have had Instances in our Nation of Persons who have committed Murder by Accident, and have escaped the Vengeance of the Law; but alas! they could not escape the Vengeance of their own Minds; wherever they went, their Thoughts went with them, and were should they fly from Themselves. Secret Murderers have been often the Revealers of their own Guilt; their Consciences prest too hard upon them; their Fancies have painted before 'em the Buryed Innocent; till weary of the World and Themselves, They have cry'd out upon the Law to lay hold of their Lives. And what is more often the Occasion of Murders, than Passion? It is the Bane of Friendship, the Engine of Satan, the whirlwind of the Soul,-But what need I talk against Passion to you, who have amongst ye so immediate an Instance of its horrid Effects! Dearly Beloved, avenge not your selves, but rather give Place unto Wrath: For it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, faith the Lord. Rom. 12. 19.

Secondly, As for the sufferer as a Thief, He is scarce in a better Condition: He is look'd upon with Terror, as the Overturner of Society. As the Beast of Prey among an Herd of Cattle, so is he consider'd in a Society of Men; in short, as a Person whose Business it is to spoil, ravage and prey upon all he meets. He is fear'd and hated by All: They fear his Actions, and hate his Person. Therefore, if ye regard your present welfare (which I think will weigh more than a Future with ye) ye will do to Others, as ye would they should do unto you.

Thirdly, We observ'd that the Busy-Body, tho' not within Reach of the Law, might not be less guilty than the Theif; if to separate Friends, to excite Jealousies, to root up Christian Charity be the Height of Guilt. And this Offender meets also his Punishment in this Life: He is accounted a Traytor, an Hypocrite; what Esau fear'd when God had set the Mark on his Back will happen to this Man; every one who sees him would willingly slay him. Behold, how great a Matter a little Fire kindleth; and the Tongue is a Fire, a World of Iniquity, &c. Jam. 3. part of 5th, and 6th, ver. Likewise also these filthy Dreamers defile the Flesh, despise Dominion, and speak Evil of Dignities. Jude 8 v. Therefore, speak not Evil one of another, Brethren; he that speaketh evil of his Brother, and judgeth his Brother, speaketh evil of the Law, and judgeth the Law. Jam. 4. 11.

Our 3d and last general Head was to show, how those who do suffer, as Murderers, or as Theives, are to behave Themselves during their Misfortunes.

And 1st. We are to suffer with Patience. They that plow Iniquity, and sow Wickedness reap the same. Job 4. ver. 8. 'Tis a natural Conse