Good we do to shift for itself, without being anxious to pry into the Causes and Motives leading to it: But let us double our Care to feek out our Failings, and to correct them; that our Love may be without Stain, and deferve the Name of that Charity, which fhall cover the Multitude of Sins. DISCOURSE DISCOURSE VI. PART II. T remains now that we confi- To cover Sins fignifies to excufe them, to exempt them from Wrath and Punishment: In any other Sense it is impoffible for Sins to be covered in the Sight of God, who cannot be deceived or imposed on, or fo over delighted with the Good we do, as not to fee and note our evil Actions. With respect to the Judgment of Men, this Expreffion will bear a stronger Expofition: For, whether we confider the charitable Perfon Perfon judging of other Men's Sins, it may very well be, that his Charity may incline him to think much better of Sinners than they deserve; or, whether we confider others judging of the charitable Person's Offences, it is natural enough for Men to be charmed with the Goodness and Excellency of Charity, and not to fee, or not to attend to, the Defects which appear in fo good Company. Which of these two Expofitions ought to prevail, depends upon a farther Inquiry ; namely, whether the Apoftle in his Affertion, that Charity fhall cover the Multitude of Sins, had respect to the Judgment of God, or the Judgment of Men. Nor is this the only Inquiry neceffary in order to fix the determinate Meaning of the Text: For we must confider alfo of whose Sins the Apostle fpeaks; and whether he means to affirm, that Charity shall cover the charitable Perfon's Offences, or the Offences of other People. There are probable Reasons to be given for the Support of each of these Interpretations: And it will be proper to examine these Reasons, and to confider how far each Interpretation may be admitted within the Limits of Reason and Scripture. First, There are good Reasons to be affigned for limiting the Apostle's Affertion concerning Charity to the Judgment of Men. Hatred, fays the Wise King of Ifrael, stirreth up Strifes, but Love covereth all Sins: Where covering of Sins being opposed to stirring up Strifes, the Meaning needs must be, that as Hatred perpetually begets Complaints, Animofities, and Refentments, fo Love allays these intemperate Heats, and disposes to Peace and Friendship, and inclines Men to overlook and to forgive the Offences of each other. In this place therefore it is evident, that Love is faid to cover all Sins with regard to the Judgment that Men make of each· other's Offences. And the Expreffion in St. Peter is fo much the fame with this in Solomon, that it is very probable the Apostle borrowed it from hence, and applied the Saying of the Wife King in Support of his general Precept, Have fervent Charity among your felves. In this View then the Apoftle recommends mutual Charity, as the only Thing that can render Life comfortable and fupportable to us, and deliver us from perpetual Vexations, and put the Mind in a proper Pofture to confider and prepare for the great Change at hand: hand: For thus his Reasoning ftands, The End of all Things is at hand; be ye therefore fober, and watch unto Prayer; and above all Things have fervent Charity among your felves. A Man drunk with Paffion, and engaged in perpetual Strifes, is no more capable of making a due Preparation for the great Change which is near, than one intoxicated with Wine. Temperance and Charity are the properest State we can put ourselves into, to wait for the Coming of our Lord. And the Apostle had learned to subjoin this Advice to the Mention of the great Day from his blessed Mafter, who had denounced Judgment without Mercy to all fuch as fhould be found, at his fecond Coming, void of Charity and Sobriety: But and if that Servant say in his Heart, My Lord delayeth his coming, and fhall begin to beat the Men-fervants and Maidens, and to eat and drink, and be drunken; the Lord of that Servant will come in a Day when be looketh not for him, and at an Hour when be is not aware, and will cut him in funder, end will appoint him his Portion with the Unbelievers. In Conformity to this Declaration of our bleffed Lord, the Apostle having given Warning of the End of all Things |