$Éit1fON X1iXiÍf: '467 tions and practices of pride, envy, wrath, cruelty, backbiting, and persecution would be banished for ever from amongst us. IX. It is not only a rule of equity and love to direct our whole conduct toward our neighbours in the social life, but it is also a rule of the highest prudence with regard to ourselves and it promotes our own interest in the best manner : For if we make conscience of treating our neighbours according to all the justice and tenderness that this rule will incline us to, we may reasonably expect the same kind and tender treatment from those that are round. aboutus: Such a practice will naturally engage the greatest part of mankind on our side, whensoever we happen to be assaulted or oppressed by 'the sons of malice or violence. Happy is that person who has gained the love of mankind, by 'making the love of himself a rule and measure of his actions to- ward them, and lias piously followed that precept of the law of God, Love thy neighbour as thyself Let us remember that we live in a changeable world, and the scenes of life are continually shifting. I am now a master, and in possession of riches, and if I treat my servant, or any poor man insolently, I may expect the like insolent treatment if my circumstances sink, and reduce me to a state of poverty or service. But if I followthis golden rule of our Saviour, in treat- ingmy inferiors, I do, as it were, hoard up for myself a treasure of merit and benevolence amongst "men, which I may hope to receive and taste of, in the day of my necessity and distress. Thus in behaving myself toward others according to this holy rule,of friendship, I not only please and obey my God and my Saviour, but I happily secure my temporal interests also. X. In the last place, to mention no more. This rule is fit- ted to make the whole world as happy as the present state of things will admit. It is not to be described nor conceived what a multitude of blessings and felicities the practice of this singlepre- cept would introduce among all mankind. If we werenot thus wrapped up entirely in self, in our own party, or inour ownkindred, but couldlook upon our neighbours as ourselves, and seek their advantage together with our own, every man wouldbecome adiffusive blessing amongst his neigh- bours, and the mutual benefits of mankindwould scatter happi- ness through all the world. In such a beneficent state as this, every man wouldbe, as it were, a good angel to all that came within the reachof his commerce ; this earth would be a little image of heaven ; and our presentsocial life amongst men would be a foretaste of our future happiness among saints and angels. Inthose glorious regions, every one rejoices-in the welfare of the whole community and they have a double relish of their own per= n It 3
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