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4 CHAP. V.

OF JUSTICE.

THE nature of justice, as it respects men's dealings with each other, is contained in that divine rule of our blessed Lord's; "Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them;" that is, do ye in all cases to others, whatsoever is fit for you to expect from them in like circumstances. It is an habit of mind that disposes us to render to all their dues; and, as was said of diligence, it differs not in the real christian from the same virtue in others, but as faith in the Lord Jesus, reverence to GOD, and a love to goodness, are the springs of it. I say it is a habit of the mind: for it relates not merely to a particular action, but the general series and tenor of our lives. So he alone deserves the honourable name of just, whose conduct is uniformly upright, and who has such a love to justice, as to maintain its practice, whether it meets

with present applause or not, or even though it should. sometimes thwart his apparent interest, Psalm xv. 4.

Our obligations to this great duty are manifold: 1. The light of nature and reason of things, enforce it. The Roman Emperor Severus so much admired that golden rule of our Saviour's, "Quid tibi non vis fieri, alteri ne feceris; what you would not have done to you, do not to others;" that he made it his motto, and caused it to be written on his doors and buildings, and enrolled the divine Author of it among his gods; and would to GoD it was more legibly inscribed, not so much upon the walls, as in the hearts and lives of those who call themselves christians.

2. The moral law of GoD obliges us to the practice of justice: this is the sum of the duties required in the second table; which indeed is only a new edition of the law of nature. "Thou shalt not covet," excludes the principles, and "Thou shalt not steal," prohibits the practice of whatsoever is unjust or dishonourable in our conduct to others; and these rules are enforced by numerous and repeated injunctions. Thus saith the Lord, keep ye judgment, and do justice, and speak every man truth with his neighbour." Isa. lvi. 1,

Zech. viii. 16. fraud thy neighbour: but that which is altogether just shalt thou follow." Lev. xix. 13. Deut. xvi. 20. He has strengthened these precepts with threatenings of severe punishment in case of disobedience; many instances of the performance of which are visible in this world, but many more are reserved to the great and solemn day of retribution. The gospel of Christ binds the consciences of all who expect to receive a share in the blessings of it, to the exact performance of this duty; it is the very design of it "to teach men to live soberly, and righteously, as well as godly, in this present world." Tit. ii. 12. It deprives the unjust of any present claim to the benefits of it; for "if they are not faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to their trust the true riches?" Luke xvi. 10, 12. And utterly excludes them from the hopes of the future glories and rewards of it: "know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of GOD? be not deceived; neither thieves, nor covetous, nor extortioners shall inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Cor. vi. 9,

"Thou shalt not de

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So that he who allows himself to violate the laws of justice, maims christianity; and, whatever his profession of religion

may be, it is false and insincere; for he can never be true to GOD, who is unjust to man, nor can he reasonably hope to be accepted of him.

"And not only duty and conscience, but present interest obliges men to the exercise of probity and justice: it is the surest and safest way to prosperity, and has a natural tendency to promote it: the universal practice of it will necessarily establish a good character, upon which much of the Tradesman's success depends; every one loves to deal with an honest man; and the credit and reputation that attends it procures many advantages to the possessor of it. Though the indiscretion of some hoest and just men may keep them poor; and divine providence may afflict others, to convince an unbelieving world of a judgment to come; yet the good GOD evidently blesses many with temporal prosperity to shew his love to righteousness, and the goodness of his providence in the present state. "The faithful man shall abound with blessings; while he that hasteth to be rich by injustice and deceit shall be punished." Prov. xxviii. 20. Shame and misery are the natural fruits of injustice and fraud; and when men have increased their wealth, and feathered their nests with

the spoils of others, the divine vengeance, like a fire not blown, often consumes them; and it does not rest here, "for it goes ill with them that are left in their taberna

cles," Job. xx. 26. So odious is this sin to GOD, that even the posterity of the unjust and oppressive shall feel the effects of his indignation against it; and we may often observe that ill gotten wealth moulders away we know not how, in the hands of those for whom it was unjustly laid up.

Having thus briefly considered the nature of justice, and our obligations to the practice of it, we proceed to specify the instances in which the Tradesman is to exercise it.

1st. Justice obliges the Tradesman to make conscientious bargains; that he neither sells too dear, nor buys to cheap; but does by others as he would be dealt by himself.

1. It requires us to exact only a rsasonable proportion of gain from what we sell. The measure of allowable gain for all Tradesmen cannot be determined by any particular rule: it cannot be always measured by what the commodity cost, since surprise or ignorance may occasion a dear purchase; and why should others pay for my folly? Or it might by some special oc

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