SERMON XXIV.. 341 ifwe have thrown a blot upontheir good name ; if we have de- frauded them of anypart of their due, or wasted their substance, let us know and consider that the law of justice requires us to make what restitution we arecapable .of: But still it mustbe done in such a manner as must consist with our duty to the rest of our ellow-creatures round about us. it is a vain thing to pretend to be sorryandrepent that wehave done our neighbour a wilful in- juryor to flatter himWith idle compliments of asking his pardon, while it lays in our power to repair the damage he sustains in a Way of consistencewith our duties, andyet we obstinately refuse it : Such a repentance it this cannot be sincere in the sight of God, nor have we any reason to hope that his justice or mercy will condescend to accept it. We have heard these various instances of justice, this large and particular account what isdue to our neighbour, in the mani- fold relations and businesses of life. I grant there are several difficulties that may attend some of these instances in the particu- lar practise Of them, by reason of the infinite variety of circum- stances which may surround our actions, and the unforeseen occurrences of human life. The strictest rules of equity or jus- tice, in some cases, require a mitigation ; and it is impossible to say before-hand what shall be precisely and exactly due to our neighbour in every new accident or occurrence. But a sincere love of justicewrought deep into the heart, and a sacred regard to the golden rule of equitywhich Christhath given us, will lead usthrough most of these perplexities intothe paths of righteous- ness and truth. It is time now to have the question put close to conscience ; " Has this been the manner of our life ? Has this been our con- duct toward our fellow-creatures ? Arewechildren, and have we paid all due honour and obedience to our parents ? Has thefather no cause to complain that we have disobeyed his authority ? Has the mother no reason to say, that we have scornedher advice, or abused her tenderness and compassion ? Are we servants, have we never wasted the goods of our master, nor spent that time in idle company, in folly, or in sin, which should have been employed inhis service ? Have we dealt with our relatives in the same family as becomes a brother, a sister, or a near kinsman, and fulfilled the duties to which we were born? Do we never neglect to make due acknowledgments for favours received ? Have we loved those that loveus, and practised the law of justice and gratitude to those who have rescued our souls and bodies from distress and danger, or laid obligations upon us by peculiar benefits. Am I a trader, and do I practise strictjustice and truth, in all that I buy, and in all that I sell? Iiave I been carefully solid. 1
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=