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likewise is the word rendred by Goodnefs, Rom. 11. 22. which indeed, to fpeak properly, is rather the cause and fountain of Beneficence, than the thing it felf. Men do Good, or are actually helpful and beneficial to others, from that xensors, that Principle of Kindness or Goodness that is in them. So then where Kindness is, it will make a Man ready to do Good. And therefore,

(1) A kind Man will be eafily intreated and prevailed with; there will not be need of much Importunity to make him willing to do good Offices.

(2.) He will sometimes feek Opportunities of doing Good to others, and gladly imbrace them when he meets with them.

(3.) He will be troubled if he cannot do thofe good Offices which he is defired to do; and therefore he will exprefs his willingness where ability is wanting, and he will not deny a Man that defires a Courtefie of him, without Christian Civility, and manifestation of Love and Good-will. There is indeed much more Kindness fhewed in a civil Denial, and the Trouble we exprefs that we cannot do a Neighbour or a Friend the good Turns which we

would,

would, than in a foure and forced Condefcenfion to his Defires. The truth is, whatever a Man doth for another, he can hardly be faid to be kind therein, unless he do it willingly and chearfully.

2. Kindness fhews it felf in a readinefs to pafs by and forgive Offences. Thus God expreffeth his Kindnefs to us: The Lord is merciful and gracious, Joel 2. flow to anger, and of great kindness. 13. Wherefore David, begging the Pardon of his Sins, prays that God would have Mercy upon him according to his Lov- Pfal. 51. ing-kindness ; and according to the " multitude of his tender Mercies blot out his Tranfgreffions. And thus would God have us to manifeft our Kindness to one another: Be ye kind one to ano- Eph. 4. ther, tender-hearted, forgiving one ano- 32. ther.

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3. Kindness is discovered in taking fmall Things in good part, and making fair and candid, kind and friendly Conftructions of what is well meant. This is a part of the Kindness which Parents have for their Children; thofe Things how inconfiderable foever, are kindly interpreted and well taken from them, that would not have that favourable accept

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acceptance from a Stranger, or a Perfon more remote.

4. Kindness appears in a willingness to make use of and be beholden to others, and in a ready and thankful acceptance of Kindneffes from them as there is occafion. Kindness is mutual, and may be expreffed as well in receiving as in giving.

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5. Kindness is expreffed in a general fweetness and acceptableness of our Carriage towards others. But here care must be taken that we mistake not fomewhat else for Kindness, I mean Chriftian Kindness that is a fruit of Love. There are divers Things that are like this Kindness, and may easily be taken for it, but are widely different from it. As,

1. Sinful compliance with Men, humouring them in their evil ways. There are fome whofe ftudy it is to comply with all forts of Perfons and Companies; and they take it for a great Vertue to be able to accommodate and apply themselves to every Man's Humour. But he that thus ftudies to please and comply with Men, fhall never be able to please God. If a Man will keep a good Confcience and be accepted with

God,

God, he must often harden himself to incur Men's displeasure. We must be kind to Men's Perfons, but not to their Vices. Our Rule is, Let every one please Rom. 15. his Neighbour for his good to Edification. 2. To comply with him and let him alone in his Sin, is to please him for his hurt and to his Deftruction. You may call this Kindness if you will; but 'tis a cruel and pernicious Kindness, and he that uses it acts the part of an Enemy rather than a Friend. In fuch Cafes he is most kind to you, who is kind to your Soul, who dares offend you and incur your displeasure for your Spiritual good; who if need be will deal roundly and faithfully with you to make fenfible of your Sin, and recall you from the error of your Ways. This was David's judgment in this matter. Let the Righteous fmite me and it shall P.141.5. be a Kindness.

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2. Flattery is another thing which with some may go for Kindness, but is as contrary unto true Kindness as any thing can be.Some innure their Tongues to fuch a way of smooth and pleasing Language, that they can do no other but commend you, and speak all good of you to your Face, though perchance

behind

your Back they will be as forward to find fault with you, and cenfure you, as any else. This Treacherous practice is a great injury to those who are weak, and befools them into a vain conceit of their own worth, than which nothing is more dangerous. And as for others who are able to put a difference between true Kindness and Flattery, 'tis most odious and distasteful to these, to hear you bestowing thofe liberal commendations on them, which they know you neither do nor can really believe to be due to them.

3. Another thing that may be eafily mistaken for true Kindnefs, is, when a Man fhall be fo facil and eafie, as to be perfwaded to offer violence to his own Confcience that he may gratifie his Friend or his Neighbour. Many would be apt to think it a part of Kindness for a Man to take a falfe Oath, or tell a Lye to do his Friend a Courtefie ; and on the other fide, they may be as apt to cenfure fuch a Man for one that hath neither Kindness nor Charity, that will not be ready to give a false Testimony in Favour of a Friend or a Poor Man. But these Men understand not what true Kindness means. As Charity, fo

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