33$ CHRISTIAN MORALITY: NOw hereinconsists the practice of justice, that every one retitle to his neighbour that which is due upon the account of any of thesebenefits or conveniencies of lifehe receives from him. Let us give the first place to kings and rulers in this dis- course, as justice requires: Though the distribution of special rewardsand punishments may have something in it of a distinct nature, yet the common protection which they owe' all their sub- jects, and the.obedienceand tribute which their subjects owe them upon that account, are properly aï part of commutative justice. By their oathof magistracy, and by our engagements of allegi- ance expressed or implied, we bargain with them' fer protection, and we ought to pay them tribute. They accept of a high and heavycharge, and agree to execute the laws of the land for the good of the people : Therefore not only the purses, but the con- sciences of the people are under obligations to pay taxes to the magistrate for the support of his governing power, and the main- tenance of his hónour 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 Ro- mans Rulers are ordained of God, Trot for a terror to good works, but to the evil. The ruler is the minister of God to theefor good, and he beareth not the sword in vain; he is an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be s`ubje'ct, not only for wrath, that is, for fear of his anger :' but for conscience sake, as a matter of jítsticèarid duty í And fór this cause alsó pay tribute; And it is to be noted, the apostle puts our duty in this respect upon the foot of justice ; ver. 7. Render therefore toalltheir dues ; that is, whatsoever things are just, per- form to them ; render tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, e honour to whom honour. As the payment of tribute andtaxes to those whoundertake our protection, defence, and safety, is a necessary 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 theworkman, are other' parti of justice. Let not the labourer that bath reaped down your fields, or wrought inYour service, go without his hire, which was a practice the apostle reproached in his days; James v. 4. The law of Moses is very strict in this matter; Deut. xxiv. 14, 15. Thou shalt not oppress a hired servant thatis poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or a stranger. To express it in modern language; whether he be a christian or not; a good man or an evil man, let himhave his hire. If he is to poor that he cannot teli how to provide for himself to answer the necessities of the evening, then see that thoupay him the hire of the day,. nor let the sun go down upon it, for he is'poor, and sets his heart, Or depends upon it. Trespass not upon his povertyby thy with-
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