9L}tM XXIV.] Cj3R;STIAN MORALITY, VIZ. JUSTICE, &C. 409 all that l deal with, and do I keep the proper time of payment, which contract or custom have appointed ? Have I defendedmy neighbour from injury, and assisted bim in the dayof his distress, as I myself should reason- ably hepe for his defence and assistance ? Have I sought to rescuehis good name from reproach and slan- der when it hasbeenattacked Or have I rather fallen in with slanderers, and joined in the wilful scandal ? Have I honestly sought to make restitution to another where I have been guilty of wilful injury, and done what in me lies to repair the damage that my injustice has brought uppn him ? Have I attempted to repair his losses, so far as is consistent with the duties of myother relations in life?" Where is the person that can lay his hand upon his heart, and say, I am guiltless before God in all this? Who can wash his hands in innocency, and pronounce himself righteous ? Surely such a discourse as this is, should awaken conscience to sensible acts of repentance and mourning : we should be willing and ready toyield to the conviction, where the word of God fastens the charge upon us, and lay ourselves low before the throne of a righteous God, "Blessed LordGod, if thou art strict to mark iniquities, who can standbefore thee? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou malest befeared. We have failed in many instances of duty toward our fellow-creatures, as well as toward thee our Creator; We have neither given to God nor to our neighbour the full due of love which thy righteous law requires; We lie in the dust before thee, and betake ourselves to the refuge that is set before us: Jesus the righteous is our hope, he not only paid to God and man all their due, in the course of his holy life,, but he also restored that honour to thy justice by his death, which we had taken away by our unrighteousnesses. O may . every soul of us be forgiven for his sake, and created anew in Christ Jesus unto good works ! Amen."
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