SERMON XXV. 843 That man therefore who offers injustice or 'violence to his neighbour in his body, or his soul, . or estate, he robs him of his natural right which God bath given him, and which the law of nature secures to him : He sins against the God of nature, the common Father of mankind ; and his conscience bath reason to expect that the God of nature, who is just and righteous, will avenge the mischief done to his injured crea- tures. Let it be always observed and excepted here, that the great God himself, considered merely as the Godof nature, and where he has not bound himself by promise, reserves a right to resume what hehas given, and especially when his creatures have made a forfeiture of their blessings by sinning against their Maker : But this does not - authorize men to deprive one another of their possessions, unless he has appointed them from heaven the execu- cutioners of his vengeance by a most evident and infallible com- mission particularly given by God himself,; as in the case of the Israelites spoiling the Egyptians of their borrowed jewels, and depriving the Canaanites of their lands, and their lives : But I know not any instanee of that kind ever since. II. If we consider the need that every man stands in of the help of his fellow-creatures, justice and honestywill appear to be a natural duty of the social life : And God, as he is the Governor of the world, will take vengeance of any neglect or violation of this duty, either in this world, or in the other. Commutative justice, as it is described in the farmer dis- course, is built upon this foundation, that,one man has need of another'sassistance : Nor is there any the meanest figure amongst mankind so very worthless, useless, and contemptible, but he may be capable of doing us some service either now or hereafter. It is possible we may be in such circumstanèes, as to stand in need of the help of the meanest, as well as of the mighty ; and therefore the duty of social life obliges us to practice the rules of justice toward all. The rich stand in need of the poor to perform the meaner offices for their convenience, as much as the poor stand in need of the rich to supply them with food or money. The master has need of the servant to assist and obey him, as Well as the servant stands in need of maintenance or wages from thehands of his master. One man can never procure for himself all the necessaries, and all the conveniences of life? it is indeed impossible. The same man cannot sow his own corn reap his own harvest, keephis own sheep, make his own bread, form all his own garments,' build his own house, fashion his own furniture, and secure his own possessions ; no man can provide for himself in all respects, without the assistance of his fellow-creatures. Now those fromwhom heexpects to re-
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