III.

is fair and equal between man and man, ac- SERM. cording to the relations they bear, or the obligations they are under to each other.

In this chapter, prefently after the text, God by his Prophet reproves divers things contrarie to this branch of duty: without amending of which unrighteous conduct, they could never hope to be accepted of him. Are there yet the treasures of wickednesse in the houfe of the wicked, and the scant measurè that is abominable? Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and the bag of deceitful weights? For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof bave spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.

We are to be juft in our dealings with men, without impofing on their ignorance, or credulity by unfair artifices, or falfhood.

As in our common traffic with men we are to obferve truth in our words, fo upon all other occafions are we to regard the truth of things: not faying any thing fally to the difparagement of our neighbour, which would be as manifeft an injuftice, as the most injurious action.

We

SERM.

We are also fincerely to purpose and deIII. fign what we promise and should to the utmost of our power endeavor to be as good as our word.

We are to be faithful in all the trufts reposed in us, according to the tenour of them, and the will and intention of those who confide in us.

We should likewife diligently and pru dently provide for those who are under our care, and depend upon us: as we ought chearfully and honeftly to yield subjection, and obedience, and all fidelity to our fuperiors and governours, who afford us maintenance, or protection and security.

It follows next, and to love mercie, or goodneffe, beneficence. When the duty ow ing to our neighbour is fummarily described by loving him, then both juftice and mercie are fummarily included in that one word. Here they are mentioned feparatly, and diftinctly. And in like manner elsewhere. Hof. xii. Therefore turn thee to thy God. Keep mercie and judgement, and wait on thy God continual

6.

ly Our Lord pronounceth a woe on the

Pha

Pharifees, who had omitted judgement, mercie, SERM. and faith, or fidelity.

III.

Indeed, fhewing mercie is doing no more Mat. xiii. to others, than what we in like circumftances 23. would that others should do unto us..

However, it takes in feveral things, which do not immediatly appear to be binding in point of strict justice: as providing for, or relieving not only our own relatives, or friends, or fuch as have laid us under obligations, but ftrangers likewise, if we have power to do it.

Herein is included not only doing what men can ftrictly claim of us, but fomething more than that: fome acts of kindneffe and beneficence: foregoing and quiting our right: and not exacting rigoroufly our whole due.

It includes the guiding and counseling fuch as are unexperienced, and fetting out in the world: accommodating them out of our fubftance, that they may enlarge their dealings, and better fecure a comfortable maintenance for themselves and their families, and live with credit, and be useful in the world: Giving time to those who are indebted to us: Speaking favorably of other men, and not aggravating every inftance of imprudence,

or

III.

SERM. or misbehaviour, into an act of heinous, wil ful and premeditated wickedneffe: Pitying and helping those who are in ftraits, according to the best of our power: though their ftraits are not entirely owing to unforeseen accidents, or to the violence or unrighteoufneffe of others, but partly to their own indifcretion, or negligence, or even extravagance.

It is also a part of mercie to extend our views of usefulneffe, and to plead the cause of the injured and oppreffed and endeavor to deliver them out of the hands of fuch as are mightier than they, who have greater power and influence, or more art and management, than most of their neighbours.

are,

Thefe, and many other inftances of mercie there which we may be called to. And to neglect, or omit them, when they are in our power, and we have an opportunity of being serviceable to the injured, is very unkind it is unmerciful, it is not doing as we would be done unto.

When Job vindicates himself from the charges brought against him, he infifts not only upon his innocence, but alleges likewife inftances of generofity and usefulnesse to others.

I delivered the poor that cryed, and the father- SERM. lefs, and him that had none to help him. I III. was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the Job xxix. lame. The caufe which I knew not, I fearch- 12.15.16. ed out. 1 brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the Spoil out of his teeth.

And you know, that there are many fuch exhortations propounded to Chriftians in the New Teftament: that every man should look not on his own things only, but on thofe of others alfo: that they should rejoice with them, that rejoice, and weep with them that weep: that they should bear one another's burdens, and fo fulfil the law of Chrift.

But I fhall not farther multiply precepts and directions of this kind, nor inftance in any other cafes: which the courfe of things will present to us, and he who is of a merciful and generous difpofition will take notice of, and act accordingly. I fhut up this article therefore with those words of Ifaiah, containing a description of the different temper and conduct of bafe and narrow, indeed wicked minds, and of fuch as are truly generous, and public fpirited. For the vile per- Il. xxxii. fon will speak villanie, and his heart will 6.... 8. work iniquity, to practise hypocrifie, and to

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