Chap. 3 1. An Expofftian upon the Booke of Jo a. `'erf. 6. 349 hold that which is good,yet ifwe have not proved it to be good, 'cis no better to us then that which is evill. Now if out judging a thing good which is fo,without weighing it,doth not commend us to God how great will their condemnation be, who ;edge thofe things evili which they have never weighed,or ifthey have, it hath been in anunrighteous ballance. Thirdly, Obferve. We muß weigh perfons and things rightecufly, not in the ba- lance ofprejudice andpafan, but in the balance ofju f ice and moderation. How oftendoth the Scripture condemneuneven ballances , as a burden both to God and man. Godwill not indure that you fhould weigh the meaneft commoditie you trade in with falle bal- lances, or by abagge of deceitfull weights. Thus he commanded the ChildrenofIfrael by Mofes (Lev. 19 36.) 7ufil ballances, weights,a juff, Ephah, anda juft Hin [hall ye have, Iam the Lordyour Cod, whichbrought you out ofthe Landof Eopt. As if he had fayd,I have delivered you from your oppreffors,therefore take heedye doe not oppreffe one another. e4 falfe ballance ( faith Solomon, Pro. a i, r .) is an abomination to the Lord, but a jufi weight it his delight. And againe (Pro.' 6.1 i.) A juftt weight andballance are the Lords (They have (as it were) his Peale upon them,and he owneth them for his)for all the weights of the bagge ( that is, all uft aeights, and there ought to beno other in the bagge)are his worke. 'Tis therefore a high offenceagainft God, and acolouring oftheft with jnftice, to weigh with uneven ba- lances. Hence the Lord fpeakes with high indignation ( Mic. 6. la.) ShallJcount them pure with the wicked ballances, and with the bag of deceitfull weights ? As if he had fayd, whatfoever I doe I abhorre to doe that ; I can as Toone count an Adulterer or a drunkard pure, as they that ufedeceitfull weights. Their neigh- bours ( poflibly) may count them pure', and they ('cis like e- nough ) count themfelves fo, but fo will not I,to whomthe true account of every mans worth is pettedly knowne. Now ifthe Lordwill not indure that we fbouldweigh any thing for tale in an uneven ballance ; what thinke you will God fay to them who weigh menand their a&ions inuneven ballances ? There are not morefalfe ballances for wares and commodities, then there are for perfen
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