12.  Church members must be charitable to the poor that are among them, and freely contribute to them according to their ability and their necessity.  They are indispensably bound to impart their help and assistance to the poor, and to give them a little of their estates.  It is a debt which they owe to God, and a duty to them.  They will comfort them thereby; but they will much more profit themselves than them.  It is a more blessed thing to give than to receive.  Wealthy persons are stewards for the poor, and a part of what God hath given those was designed for these, 1 Pet. iv. 10, and therefore, says God, Deut. xv. 7, 8, “Thou shalt not shut thine hand from thy poor brother, but shalt open it wide unto him.”  The rich must not only give to keep the poor alive in misery, but make comfortable provisions for them, that they may have enough to keep them from the temptations of poverty and pressing wants, and to fit them for, and encourage them in, their work and duty, to God and man.

13.  Church members ought carefully, watchfully, diligently, and conscientiously to beware of and avoid whatever may give any just offence or scandal to one another.  For we are charged to “give none offence neither to Jew nor Gentile, nor to the Church of God,” 1 Cor. x. 32.  And our Saviour tells us, that “wo to them by whom the offence cometh,” Matt, xviii. 7.

You must take heed of such evils as the following, and avoid them, because they all carry scandal in their nature to your own and others’ souls:  as, 1.  Proud, disdainful, and haughty words conduct, and conversation; for these are grievous and provoking evils, which will justly offend all the observers of them. 2.  Sullen, sour, and churlish language and behavior, which is offensive unto all sorts of persons; for this is an evil altogether unbecoming the followers of Jesus Christ. 3.  A cross, captious, and contradictive spirit and conduct, delighting in opposition to the judgment of the church and her rulers.  This is very scandalous to the brethren, and very reproachful unto themselves. 4.  Speaking evil of one another behind their backs; backbiting or publishing their real or supposed evils, before they have been spoken to in secret. 5.  Speaking lightly or contemptibly of one another, either to themselves or to others in their absence, as few men can bear patiently to be despised by the slighting carriages of their brethren. 6.  Vain, foolish, and frothy discourses, which are very offensive to gracious saints. 7.  Earthly-mindedness and greedy pursuits after worldly things; for as these are offensive to God, and hurtful to the soul, so they are offensive to saints. 8.  Strife and contention among brethren, and grudging or envying one another’s prosperity; as these produce many evil and wicked fruits, and cast blame upon the providence of God, who bestows his mercies as he will. 9.  Defrauding and breaking promises.  Contracting debts and unduly delaying or refusing to pay them, and disappointing