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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 reasonably
expect,
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
of
his
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
a
manner
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