BERM. XXXIII.] THE UNIVERSAL RULE ON EQUITY. , 47 like case. And surely my unavoidable mistake. will not be imputed to me as a crime, where I have honestly fol- lowed the rule my Saviour has givenme, and acted therein according to the best capacityof my judgment. VI. It is a rule as much fitted to awaken us to sincere repentance upon the trangression of it, as it is to direct us to our present duty. This rule abides in the bosom of a christian, it dwells so near hire, that it is, as it were, mingled with conscience itself; and by this means it be- comes not only a safe guide, but a sharp reprover too : It soon puts us in mind where either inclination or prac- tice warps toward injustice and deceit. Have we never felt our conscience stinging us with a bitter reflection de- rived from this rule, when we have neglected in any in- stance to fulfil our duty to our neighbour ? I am sure if we kept it much in view, we could neither practice in justice with ease of mind, nor dwell long under this guilt, without some inward reproaches : If the precept had not power enough to restrain us from present sin, yet it would spur us o.n to serious and speedy repentance. [Here the sermon may be divided, if it be too long to be read in a family at once.] VII. It is a most extensive rule, with regard to all the stations, ranks and characters of mankind : for it is per- fectly suited to them all : And I think it maybe said, that it is equally useful to the rich and to the poor, to the buyer and the seller, to the prince and to the peasant, to the master and the servant: They all come under the single rule of duty and justice : This should govern them in all their conduct. Be your condition, O- christians, what it will in the world, do but put yourselves into the circumstances ofone another, in your own thoughts, fora moment, and ask what is reasonable to be done to your selves ? And your consciences will return a speedy and easy answer what you should do to others. Let the tenant say, " If I were -a landlord, what should I think reasonable that my tenant should pay me ?" And the landlord should ask himself, " Were I a tenant, what should I claim of my landlord ?" I would have the master enquire, What should I expect, if I were aser- vant, at the hand of my master:" And teethe servant say, " What, if I were a master, should I expect from the hands of one that served me ?" Parents should ask them-
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