The.fruits offpeaking well of others. x 3, fhew an honefi impartial ingenuity , which ho- noureth virtue where ever, it is found. 3. You would thew a humble fenfe of your own frailty, who dare not proudly contemn your brethren. 4. You would thewmore love to God himfelf, when you love all of God whenfoever you dif- cern it ; and cannot abide to hear his gifts and mercies undervalued. S. You would increafe the grace of love to others, in your felves, by the daily exercife of it when backbiting and de- tra&ion. will increafe the malignity from which they fpring, 6. You would increafe Love alfo in the hearers ; which is the fulfilling of theLaw; when detra&ion will breed or increafe malicem 7. You will do much to the winning and conver lion of them whom you commend, if they be un- converted. For when they are told that you fpeak 'lovingly of them behind their backs, it will much' reconcile them to your perfons,and confequently prepare them to hearken to the counfel which` they need. But when they are told that you did backbite them , it will fill them with hatred of you, and violent prejudice againt your coup.. lei and profeffìon. Yet mifiake me sot It is none of my mean- ingall this while, that you Mould fpeak any falfe hood in commendation of others ; nor make pet). pie believe, that a carelefs carnal fort of perforis, are as good as thofe that are careful cf their fouls, or that their way is fuffrcient for falvation ; Nor tocommend ungodly men in fuch a manner, as tendeth to keep either them or their hearersfrom repentance ; 'Nor to call evil, good, or put dark- aefs for light , nor honour the works of the de- vil.
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