SERBI. XXIV.] CHRISTIASS SfORALITI, VIZ. JtisTICE, ó:C. 407 tory of the good Samaritan in the gospel tells me, that in such a case every man is my neighbour, though he be of a different nation, sect, or party. But when men are fellow-subjects, or fellow -citizens, or combined in any natural, civil, or religious society, this rule of justice appears with more force and evidence; it strikes a brighter light upon the conscience, and ought to have more power upon the heart and practice; for combina- tion into society is an implicit contract or promise of mutual help under necessity. I confess, several of the instances which I have men- tioned under this fifth head may be referred also to cha- rity and mercy, of which I shall speakhereafter; but for as much as the light of nature and the law of God re- quire these beneficial actions of men toward each other, I have here placed them under the head of justice. VI. The last piece of justice which I shall mention, is reparation to those whom we have wilfully injured, as far as possible : And this is a certain duty, whether we have done them injury in their souls, in their bodies, in their estates, or in their reputation. Ifwe have led them into errors or heresy byour conver- sation ; ifwe have tempted them to sin by our allurement or example ; if we have solicited their assistance in any base or guilty practices of our own; we ought seriously to employ our best powers and prayers toward their re- covery from the snare of the devil: If we have wilfully injured their health ; if we have blasted their credit; if we have thrown a blot upon their good name; if we have defrauded them of any part of their due, or wasted their substance, let us know and consider that the law of justice requires us to make what restitution we are capa- ble of : But still it must be done in such a. manner as must consist with our duty to the rest of our fellow- creatures round about us. It is a vain thing to pretend to be sorry and repent' that we have done our neighbour a wilful injury, or to flatter him with idle compliments of asking his pardon, while it lies in our power to repair the damage he sus- tains in a way of consistence with our other duties, and yet we obstinately refuse it: Such a repentance as this cannot be sincere in the sight of God, nor have we any °D4
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