StlIMON XXXII', 483' gniry, andto hurt our neighbour by a conscientious obedience to this rule. I say, it will almost always secure us from injuring our neigh- bour, I cannot say, it is always an absolute, infallible, and certain rule of right and wrong ; for our knowledge of the eternal rules of right and wrong is but imperfect; neither our own heads or hearts, are furnishedwith all the various and particular principles of equity. A mere enquiry into our own hearts or consciences, can never give us a perfect knowledge of the abstracted rules of justice Norcan, it determine us to the certainpractice of it, in all the most intricate cases, unless these perfect rules of justice were fully written in the heart of every man. But under the present circumstances of mankind, in this poor, ignorant; and corrupt state of human nature, it appears to be the best, the most righte- ous, themost secure, and the most universal rule that ever could be invented or given to mein ; for it will certainly secure and pre- vent every man from injuring ins neighbour in all cases, except where he himself is willing and content to receive equal injury : And I am sure, self-love will tell us, that these cases are exceed- ing few. It is, evident therefore, that an honest man will scarce ever mistake inkeeping close to this rule. And if I should then hap- pen to do an injury to my neighbour, instead of strict equity, yet I can appeal to God, and say, I endeavoured to apply this rule to my conscience, in the pre"sent circumstances, with the utmost sin- cerity. I acted no otherwise to my neighbour, than 1 desired or judged it reasonable for my neighbour, to acttowards me in the like case. And surely my unavoidable mistake will not be im- puted to meas a crime, where I have honestly followed the rule mÿ Saviour has given me, and acted therein according to the best capacity of illy júdgment. VI. It is a rule as much fitted to awaken us to sincere re- pentance upon the transgression of it, as it is to direct us to our present duty. This rule abides in the bosons of a christian, it dwells so near him, that it is, as it were, mingled with conscience itself; andby this means it becomes not only a safe guide, but a sharp reprover too: It soon puts ùs in mind where either inclina- tion or practice warps toward injustice and deceit. Have we never felt our conscience sting us with a bitter reflection derived from this rile, when we have neglected in any instance to fulfil Our duty to our neighbour ? I am sure if we kept it much in view, wecould neither practise injustice with ease of mind, nor dwell long under thisguilt, without some inward reproaches : If theprecept had notpower enough to restrainus from present sin, jet it would spur us ontoserious and speedy repentance, VOL. i. H Is
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