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404
CHRISTIAN MORALITY, VIZ. JUSTICE,
&C.
tSYRM.
XXII.
consists the
practice of justice,
that
every one
render
to
his
neighbour
that
which
is
due
upon
the
account of
any
of
these
benefits-
or
conveniences
of
life
he receives
from
him.
.
Let
us give
the first place to
kings
and rulers
in
this
discourse, as
justice
requires.
Though
the
distribution
of
special
rewards and punishments
may have some-
thing
in
it of
a
distinct nature, yet
the common
protec-
tion
which they owe all
their. subjects, and the obedience
and tribute
which
their
subjects
owe,.:
them
upon
that
account,.
are
properly a
:part
of
commutative
justice.
By
their oath
of
magistracy, and
by
our
engagements
of
allegiance expressed or
implied,
we
bargain
with
them
for
protection, and
we
ought
to pay them
tribute. They ac-
cept
of
a
high
and heavy
charge,
and agree
to execute
the
laws
of
the land
for
the good
of
the
people
:
Therefore
not
only
the
purses,
but
the consciences
of
the people
are
under
obligations
to
pay taxes
to
the magistrate for
the
support of
his
governing
power,
and
the maintenance
of
his
honour and authority,
that
he may
the
better
fulfil
the glorious and
useful
work.
This
is
what the apostle
insists upon, and argues
in
that
known
place,
the
xiii.
chapter
to the
Romans
:
" Rulers are ordained of God,
not
for
a terror
to good works,
but to
the
evil.
The
ruler
is
the minister
of God
to
thee
for good,
and
he
beareth
not
the sword
in
vain
;
he
is
an avenger
to
exe-
cute
wrath upon
him
that
Both evil.
Wherefore ye
must needs
be
subject,
not
only
for wrath, that
is,
for
fear
of
his
anger; but
for conscience-sake,
as
a matter
of
justice
and duty
:'
And for
this cause also pay
tri-
bute. And
it
is
to
be
noted,
the
apostle puts
our
duty
in
this
respect upon
the foot
of
justice
;
ver.
7.
Render
therefore to
all their
dues,
that
is,
whatsoever
things
are
just,
perform
to them
;
render
tribute
to whom
tribute
is
due, custom
to
whom custom,
fear
to
whom,
fear,
honour
to
whom
honour.
As
the payment
of
tribute and
taxes to those
who
un-
dertake
our
protection,
defence,
and
safety,
is
a neces-
sary
duty
:
so
the payment
of
a salary
to
a teacher,
of
wages to a servant,
of
money or merchandize
to a
trader;
of
hire
to
the
workman, are
other
parts
of justice.
Let
not
the
labourer that
bath reaped
down
your
fields,
or
wrought
in
your
service, go
without
his
hire, which
was