3ERM.'XX7:IIT.3 THE UNIVERSAL RULE ÒÌ' EQUITY. 41 arising from unreasonable and unjust principles, either of a sinful self-love, or indulgence to iniquity, are not to be the measure of our actions nor expectatiOns ; these are not just and reasonable desires, nor can our own con- science in our sedate and calm enquiries judge -so con- cerning them. Again, if we were poor and starving, it may be we would be glad if our rich neighbour would settle upon us a competent estate sufficient to maintain us for the term of our lives ; but this we cannot reasonablyexpect, or reasonably desire and demand; therefore we are not bound, be our circumstances ever so large, to settle such a competency upon Our poor neighbours, be their circumstances ever so mean. We cannot rationally ex- pect these 'things should be done 'unto us, we cannot equitably desire them of another, therefore we are not bound to do thus to another. But if we are placed as criminals at the bar ofjudg- ment, we may reasonably expect that all the .favourable circumstances which attend our accusation, should be well weighed, and all the kind allowances made, which the nature of the charge or crime will admit; for our con- sciences would think it reasonable to allow so much to any criminal, if we ourselves were placed in the chair of magistracy. Or if we, through the frowns of providence, are poor and starving, we may reasonably expect our rich neigh- bour should bestow upon us a little ofhis bread, a little of his clothing, to supply our extreme necessities now and then; . and thus much our neighbour may expect from us, when hé is fallen into decay by the providence of God, while our circumstances are large, 'and we are well furnished for such bounty. Thus You see the true intent and meaning of this uni- versal law of equity, viz. That we practise toward our neighbour in such amanner as our own hearts and con- sciences would think it reasonable he should practise to- wards us in the like case. The Second enquiry was this. What special argument doth our Lord use to enforce the obseryauce of this sacred precept? When our Saviour had laid down this general rule, he çlds, " This is the law and the prophets;" that is, this
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=