[4.] It is especially aggravated if they be God's servants oppressed for religion : Ps. xii. 5, ' Por the oppression of the ])Oor, for the sighing of the needy ; now will I arise, saith the Lord, I will set them in safety, from him that pufleth at him.' The proud persecutor doth little think of the godly, that any power he hath can do anything to help liim ; therefore moclvCth at all his hopes : therefore, when God hatli exer- cised the godly for a while, he will arise, &c. I say the sin is aggra- vated by the innocency, the holiness, the usefulness of the party oppressed, when fitted to gloiify God, and do service to the public, and disabled to the prejudice of both.
[5.] It is the highest imi)iety to fetch power and advantage from any ordinance of God to commit it: John xix. 10, 11, ' Then said Pilate unto him, Spcakest thou not unto me? Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above ; therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.' Courts of justice, that should be sanctuaries
VeU. 122.] SERMONS UPON PSALBI CXIX. 261
and places of refuge to oppressed innocency, tliey make slanghter- liouses and shops of cruelty. When pretexts of laws and justice are used to colour the oppression and persecution of innocent useful per- sons, this makes it more odious in the sight of God.
Use 1. Oh, pity the oppressed ! Job vi. 14, ' To him that is afflicted, pity should be showed from his friend ; but he forsaketh the fear of the x\lmighty.' The men of Keilali thought of delivering up David, because they feared not God, 1 Sam. xxiii. 11, 12. But men have no fear of God, but too much fear of men. When God is angry, God will suffer none to help : Ps. Ixxxviii. 18, ' Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness;' Job xii. 5, 'He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.' Sensuality will make us forget the afflictions of others : Amos vi. 4-6, ' They lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and calves out of the midst of the stall ; that chaunt to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of music like David; that drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments, but they are not grieved for the afflictions of Joseph.' Scru[)les of conscience through difference in religion : John iv. 9, ' How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest water of me?' Therefore we should pity others ; we have God's example : 2 Cor. vii. 6, ' God that comforteth those that are cast down.'
Use 2. Keep from oppression ; let us be far from this sin. Samuel professeth his innocency : 1 Sam. xii. 3, 4, ' Behold here I am, witness against me before the Lord and his anointed : whose ox have I taken ? or whose ass have I taken ? or whom have I defi-auded ? whom have I oppressed ? or of whose hand have I received a bribe to blind mine eyes therewith ? And they said, Thou hast not defrauded nor oppressed us.'
Motives.
1. God will right the wrongs of the oppressed : Prov. xxii. 22, 23, ' Rob not the poor, because he is poor, neither oppress the afflicted in the gate ; for the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them ;' Prov. xxiii. 11, ' For their redeemer is mighty, he shall plead their cause with thee.' It belongetli to him as supreme Judge and mighty potentate : Eccles. v. 8, ' If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a pro- vince, marvel not at the matter, for he that is higher "than the highest regardeth, and there be higher than they.' Who can break the power of the greatest ? The poor and indigent have none to own them, to resent the things done unto them, but God, who is the supreme Lord, will not fail to owm them.
2. Consider the injustice of such dealing, as being contrary to that rule of reason, Quod iibi non vis Jieri, alteri ne feceris. Every man should do as he would have others do to him. Put yourself in their case. Take this rule quite aAvay, and there is nothing so false, bad, cruel, that you would not be drawn to think or say or do against your brother. IJncharitableness, and want of sympathy with us in our troubles, much more insulting over us in our miseries, we look on it with detestation ; and shall we oppress and afflict othei's when we have
262 SERMONS UPON PSALM cxix. [Ser. CXXXIV.
power so to do ? Those that profess themselves Christians should be far from this sin. Means.
1. The fear of God should hear rule in our hearts : Joh xxxi. 23, 'For destruction from God was a terror to- me; and by reason of his highness I could not endure ; ' Lev. xxv. 17, ' Ye shall not, therefore, oppress one another, but thou shalt fear thy God ; for I am the Lord your God.' We sliould be afraid to do them injury, as if a strong party, able to repay injuries, were ready to be avenged upon us for it.