SERM. what it is; it is eafily and univerfally XII. understood: Would to God, it were

but as universally practifed! And then fuch Exhortations as these would be needlefs! But though an Account of the Duty may not be requifite, to inform even the meanest and most ignorant Christian, yet it may be of use to bring to his Mind what he already knows, and to awaken in him fenfible and lively Impreffions of it: And to that End, I fhall in a very brief, and plain Manner defcribe it.

To live peaceably, is fo to demean ourfelves in all the Offices and Stations of Life, as to promote a friendly Underftanding and Correfpondence among those we converfe with; fo as to prevent, as much as we can, all outward Contention and Strife, nay, all inward Mistakes and Jealoufies from arifing, and to quench and allay them as foon as we can, whenever they are rifen; fo, as to disagree openly with no Man in Things of an indifferent Nature, and

2

of

of no Moment; and, where the Point is SE RM. of Importance enough to deserve to be XII. infifted on, there to do it, with fo much Candor, and Modefty, and Sweetness, as not to offend even those we do not agree with. In a Word, it is fo to conduct our Actions, Difcourfes, and Dealings, as to make ourselves and others as eafy as is possible. Various are the Inftances of this Duty, fome influencing our Behaviour with relation to the Publick, fome towards Private Men; fome regarding Opinions, and some regulating our Practice; fome taking Place in Matters of Civil Life, and fome in the Concerns of Religion.

They live peaceably with refped to the Publick, who pay a due Regard to the Laws of their Countrey, and exprefs a due Reverence towards their Superiors; honouring them fincerely, obeying them fubmiffively; not rashly cenfuring their Actions, but putting the best and most candid Construction Y 2

upon

SER M. upon them; not being over-bufy in XII Matters that are too high for them, and do not concern them.

They live peaceably in religious Matters, who, on the one Side, are contented to enjoy their own Opinions, without arraigning their Superiors in Church and State for being otherwise minded; and without disturbing the publick Peace, in order to propagate their Tenets, and make Profelytes; and who, on the other Side, do not by unjuftifiable Methods of Severity force Men into the Profeffion of what they disbelieve; whofe Zeal for their Faith never makes them forget their Temper, nor out-run the Bounds of Chriftian Goodness and Prudence; who make great Allowances for the Weaknefs of Mens Reason and the Strength of their Prejudices, and condemn not all as infincere who are not fo enligh tened as they are; but leave them to ftand or fall to their own Mafter; praying for them in the mean Time

that

that they may come to the Knowledge SER M. of the Truth, and endeavouring by all XII. gentle perfuafive Methods to reclaim them.

Finally, They live peaceably in Matters of common Life and daily Practice, who take Care to make their Carriage inoffenfive, obliging: Who are not ready to entertain ill Reports of Men, much less to disperse them; who whisper about nothing to fet Friends and Neighbours at Variance; who mind. their own Business, without intermedling much in the Concerns of others; who can take a flight Affront or Injury in Conversation without refenting it, and even a great one without returning it.

But I forbear to give any further Description of so known a Duty; and go on to consider in the

II. Second Place, the Extent of it; it must be practifed towards all Men. Not only toward those who are in

SERM.good Terms with us, but toward those XII. who are not; not only to the good

natured and candid, but even to the captious and the froward. For, as our Saviour argues in a like Cafe, if you live peaceably with them only, who live

Mat.v. 46. peaceably with you, what Thank have you? Do not even Sinners the fame? The Worft, and worst natured Men will go thus far: For there is no Temptation to break Peace with those who live inoffenfively with us, no room for Contention with the mild and complying; the Tryal of our Temper is, when shocking Accidents happen to us, when ill Words are given us; when we are touched in Point of Interest and Honour; or in any other respect drawn into a Difpute, and forced to engage: Then, to bear Oppofition meekly, to ward off the Anger of our Adverfaries by a discreet and dextrous Addrefs; to keep ourfelves free from the Contagion of that Paffion and that Refentment which reigns in them,

or