172 THE PRIVILEGE OF TITS tsE101. x>;. ingly; but he that soweth bountifully in his distributions to.the poor, for the sake of Christ, shall also reap boun- tifully of the riches of glory, in the great day of reward," 2 Cor. ix. 6. IV. Another grace which only the living can exercise, is, charity to our fellow-creatures under their mistakes, or infirmities, and a charitable and loving frame of spirit to our fellow- christians who differ from us either in prin- ciple or practice. Infirmities and mistakes belong only to the present state: This life is the only time when a fellow-saint can be overtaken in a fault, and when we are capable of re- storing such a one in the spirit of meekness. It is here only that the proposed motive has any room or place; " consider thyself lest thou also be tempted," Gal. vi. 1. And though we are bound to maintain an everlasting aversion to every sin, yet we should imitate and honour the forgiving mercy of our God, by speaking peace and consolation to a returning sinner. Be not too severe in your censures, you who have been kept from ,temptation, but pity others who are fallen, and mourn over their fall. Do not think or say the worst things you can of those who have been taken in the snare of Satan, and have beenbetrayed into some grosser iniquities. When you see them grieved and ashamed of their own follies, and bowed down under much heaviness, take occasion then to speak a softening and a healingword. Speak for them kindly, and speak to them tenderly. " Have compassion of them, lest they be swallowed up of over much sorrow," 2 Cor. ii. 7. And remember too, O censorious christian, that thou art also in the body, it is rich. grace that has kept thee hitherto, and the same God, who for wise ends has suf- fered thy brother to fall, may punish thy severity and re- proachful language, by with- holding his grace from thee in the next hour of temptation ; and then thy own fall and guilt shall upbraid thee with inward and bitter re- flections, for thy sharp censures of thy weak and tempted brother. This life is the only time wherein we can pity the in- firmities of our brethren, and bear their burdens. This law of Christ must be fulfilled in this world, for there is no room for it in the next; " wherefore bear ye one an-
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