to the intention of the Deceafed, but hath enriched himself by what is affigned to Others; let him then know, That tho' the Dead cannot call him to an Ac

count, God will certainly do

it.

2. If he hath been a Guardian, and had the Tuition of Orphans, Ideots, or Madmen let him ftrictly examine himself; Whether he hath been faithful in the Discharge of that Trust?

Hath he honestly managed the Estate of fuch helpless Orphans or Ideots; Difpofing all their Concerns to the best Advan tage?

Hath he been kind and affectionate to their Perfons, and pitied their Weakness ?

But if he hath infulted over them, and taken the advantage of their Non-Age, and other Natural Defects; If he hath Oppreffed

preffed and Abused them; let him know and Confider; That their Redeemer who is mighty, will plead their Caufe, revenge their Wrongs, and punish his Injustice.

3. Hath the Sick Perfon, as a Steward, or a Servant, been entrufted with an Estate, in whole or in part? And being thus entrusted, hath he carelefly loft, or prodigally embezled, or unfaithfully converted, his Mafter's Goods to his own Ufe? If fo, Let him then remember that awakening Summons; Give an account of thy Stewardship, for thou mayeft be no longer Steward. Luk 16. 2.

4. Hath the Sick Perfon, on any Occafion, been entrusted as a Friend? Let him examine, if he hath been faithful to that Trust.

Friend

Friendship is so obliging a Relation, and the Inftances of Kindness, wherein it may express it felf, are so various, I must not pretend to repeat them.

I fhall only mention one Cafe, which may direct the Sick Man's Examination in many others of the like nature.

A. B. borroweth a Sum of Money of C. D. and promifeth fpeedily to repay it. C. D. in confdence of his Friendship, lends A.B. the Money, without Bond or Note, or any Witness of the Loan.

C. D. fhortly after Dieth. And a little before his Death, amongst Other Debts owing to him, mentions this Sum which was Borrowed by A. B.

C. D. being Dead, his Executor demands this Money of A. B. Who denies that he ever borrowed fuch a Sum of C. D. The Executor having no Proof but the Teftimony

of

of the Deceased C. D. lofeth the Money.

If the Sick Man hath, in the course of his life, been guilty of fuch a Fraud as this, or any other of the like nature; he muft not only beg Pardon of God, with the deepeft Humiliation, but also must make Satisfaction and Reftitution to the Perfons concerned. As I fhall fhew in

its proper Place.

These feveral Ways a Man may be guilty of Deceit in Matters of Trust.

But he may further be guilty of Deceit,

2. In Matters of Traffic, or Bargaining.

And herein Fraud may be committed, both by the Seller and the Buyer.

1. The Seller may be guilty of a Cheat; By denying or concealing the Faults of what he Sells: Or, by over-valuing his Goods; and fo taking advantage of the Ignorance and Unskilfulnefs, or perhaps the Fancy of his Chapman.

Another Instance of Injustice in the Seller, is to impose upon his Customers with false Weights and Measures. Which some are fo impudent as to practife; tho' when discovered, they pay dear for the Cheat.

2. The Buyer likewise, though indeed not fo often, may be guilty of Fraud. Sometimes it happens, a Man may not know the true Value of what he Sells: And then it would be unjust in. the Buyer to impofe upon him.

But