4I6 einRxstIAN MORALITY, VIZ. JUSTICE, &C. CSERM. XXV, HYMN FOR SERMON XXIV. CHRISTIAN MORALITY, viz. JUSTICE AND EQUITY. COMMON METRE. COME, let us search our ways, and try, Have they been just and right ? Is the great rule of equity Our practice and delight? What we would have our neighbour do, Have we still done the same ? Andne'er delay'd to pay his due, or injur'd his good name ? Dowe relieve the poor distress'd ? Nor give our tongues a loose, To make their names our scorn and jest, Nor treat them with abuse ? Have we not found our envy grow, To bear another's praise? Nor robb'd him of his honour due, By sly maliciousways? In all we sell, and all we buy, Is justice our design ? Do we remember God is nigh, And fear the wrath divine ? In vain we talk of Jesus' blood, And boast his name in vain, If we can slight the laws of God, And proveunjust to men. SERMON XXV. CHRISTIAN MORALITY, viz. JUSTICE, &c. PHILIP. iv. S. Whatsoever things are just, &c.--think on' these things. IF a bare proposal of the rule of duty, and the men- tion of the various instances of it, were sufficient to per- suade mankind to the practice; then I need not prolong my discourse on this subject of honesty and justice: For I have already proposed the sacred rule which our Savi- our has given us, Dó to others as ye would' that others should do to you; and I have described the several in- stances wherein, this rule must direct our conduct, that *emay bejust and righteous in all our dealings amongst men. But alas ! our natures are so corrupt, our consciences are so unwilling tó receive the laws of duty, and our per- verse wills and passions have so much reluctance to the practice, that we have need of arguments to enforce it upon conscience, we have need of powerful motives to awaken our souls to righteousness; and it is necessary therefore that I proceed to the third head of discourse
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