kgRMON XXXII1. 459 them of another, therefore we are hot bound to do thus to ono- then. But if we are placedas criminals atthe bar ofjudgment, 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 consciences 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 neighbour 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 he 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 universal law of equity, viz. That we practise toward our neighbour in such a manner as our own hearts and consciences would think it reasonable he should practise towards us in the like case. The Second enquiry was this. Whatspecial argument cloth our Lorduse to enforce the observance of this sacredprecept ? When our Saviour had laiddown this general rule, he adds, "This is the law and the prophets ;" that is, this is the summary of all the rules of duty, which are written in the law of Moses, concerning our carriage to our neighbour, and of all the laws which are explained by the succeeding prophets, and sacred wri- ters under the Old Testament. They are all comprehended in this short line ; Do to others, as you would have others do to you. It is very nearly the same thing, in other words with the law of Moses, Love thy neighbour as thyself; Lev. xix. 18. but it is much plainer and more intelligible : And indeed this rule of Moses is to be understood and interpreted, and applied in practice according to this plainer rule of Christ, thus, "Let thy love to thy neigh- bour be as great as thou caust reasonably expect or desire thy neighbour's love should be to thyself." When our blessed Lord gives an abridgment or abstract of the ten commandments, he doth it in these words ; Mat. xxii. 37, 38, 39. Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and soul, that is, loveGod above all things : this is the first and great conzm' and- ment. And the second is like unto it ; love thy neighbouras thy- self; that is, consider him as a piece ofhumannature, as a second self, and imitate thy love to thyself in thy conduct toward him : Or, according to my text, it may be explained thus ; enquire of thy own heart how thou wouldst have him love thee, and let this be the rule and measure of thy love to him. All our duties to God or man, all the commands of the first and the second table,
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