of Those who could read, continually to call upon those poor ignorant People Day and Night, to Hear the good Books which charitable People had sent Them for their Use: And this is being Assistant to, and sharing as 'twere the Misfortunes of other Men.

THIRDLY, Be Pitiful. I told the Prisoners, there was no Object for their Pity; but They might exercise their Compassion in taking Pity upon their own Souls.

FOURTHLY, In speaking to the next Injunction, Be Courteous, I observ'd, That tho' few People may perhaps regard the Sin, yet we do commit Sin, unless we not only be exactly Just in our Dealings, but also use a certain Affability; since it is thus expresly Commanded in Scripture. Yet there are Men in the World, who affect a certain Stiffness and Moroseness, and take a Pride in differing from Custom in the ordinary Rules of Behaviour and Ceremony.

Yet does not my Text command Us to observe all the Rules of Ceremony, that the Sons of Idleness have invented for want of Employ; This were to make that a Part of the Care of a Rational Mind, which is the meanest and lowest Matter relating to the Body. In general therefore, we must be kindly Affectioned one to another, in honour Prefering one another.

FIFTHLY, In considering the last Command, That we are not to render Railing for Railing, but contrariwise Blessing; I endeavour'd to convince the Malefactors, how unreasonable a Thing it would be, for any of them to retain a Spleen against their Accusers, or against the Magistrates who condemned them; As this would be Detrimental to their Souls, and no Advantage to their Bodies; it would ruffle their Minds, and make them unfit for that Duty, which was of such infinite Importance to them, and they had so little Time to perform it in.

LASTLY, I advised the Prisoners, under those Calamities they had brought down upon themselves, 1st, To Patience; For unless they were compos'd, they could perform no Duty acceptable to God. Yet, 2dly, To have a hearty Sorrow; not for that they were about to leave the World, but for having affronted such a Father as is God, such a Friend as is Christ. For Godly Sorrow worketh Repentance not to be repented of, but the Sorrow of the World worketh Death. 2 Cor. 7. 10. 3dly, Not to lose any the least Time from the Service of God, but to compensate, by their present Devotions, for their Vigour and Strength which they had laid out upon the Pleasures of the World.