[1.] It requireth to be just in all things ; to keep a good conscience in the smallest matter ; not only in our public and most momentous actions, but justice is to be observed in lesser things as well as in greater; for where heaven and hell are concerned, nothing is little: Luke xvi. 10, ' He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much; and he that is unjust in the least, is unjust also in much.' Many will be righteous in some things, but in others dispense with themselves; but the good christian is careful to avoid all evil.
[2,] It requireth us to be just at all times, always exercising right- eousness as God givetli opportunity and occasion : Ps. cvi. 3, ' Blessed are they which keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.' Not for a fit or pang, but ever ; when it is cross to our inter- ests as well as when it befriendeth them. A christian is to be just to friends and enemies. Many will be just to their friends, but there is nothing so disingenuous, bad, and cruel, but they think they may say it and do it to their enemies; but we must deprive none of their right.
[3.] To be not only just, but strictly just in our dealings: Deut. xvi. 20, ' That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou
272 8ERM0KS UPON KPIIESIANS V. [SeU. X.
jmaycst live, and iaherit the laud whicli the Lord thy God giveth thee.' It is ill the margin, and so in the Hebrew, Justice, justice shalt thuu follow ; th.it is, exact justice : it should be done in such eminency, that it may appear that God's people are notoriously much better than otlier men are. If you be but as they, you harden the cainal world, and they think there is no great matter in religion : 1 Thes. v. 21,
* Abstain from all appearance of evil ; ' at least when the honour of religion lieth at stake. I shall not be shy in giving you an eminent example of justice, which Austin thought fit twice to commemorate in his sermons. ' I shall tell you,' saith he, ' what was done by a very poor man at the time when I lived at Milan ; the man that I tell you of was so poor, that he was under an usher of a grammai-school, but a sincere and real christian. This very poor man, who had hardly wherewith to sustain his life, found a purse of two hundred crowns; but being mindful of that justice which God requireth of his people, he set up in some public place a bill, giving notice of what he had found, that if any man had lost such a sum, he should come to such a place, to such a man, and receive it again. He that had lost the money heareth of the bill, cometh to the man, and giving sure tokens that it was his, he fully returned what he had found, without any defalcation or diminution. The other rejoicing that he had heard of his money iigain, and willing to make some requital, giveth him the tenth jtart, twenty of these crowns ; but he would not take it ; he offereth him ten, but he refuseth ; at length desireth him that at least he would accept of but five, still the man that found the purse refuseth it. The other seeing the honesty of the man, throweth him the purse, saying, I have lost nothing, if you will take nothing. 0 my biethren,' saith Austin,
* what a strife was here between an honest finder and a thankful rewarder ! The world was the theatre of this conflict, the spectator God. The finder at length being overcome by importunity, taketh what was offered, but presently gave it all to the poor, not reserving one crown for his own use. Consider, my brethren, such a glorious example, and con- sider what God's law can do upon the heart of the obedient : Justice, justice shalt thou follow.' Thus far he.
[4.] It requireth us to be just, whatever temptation we have to the contrary.
(1.) Of riches and worldly ends, which easily blind the mind, and will tempt us to authorise our usurpations of another's right with fair pretences. But, 1 Tim. vi. 9, 10, ' They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil.' Indulge it, and it will soon make a breach upon your duty ; but when the lust of wealth is mortified, temptations have the less power over you. A man that is governed and influenced by carnal interest can never have this habit and disposition of righteous- ness, to carry it so equitably and fairly in all his dealings ; for he that mindeth nothing but his own interest will soon believe that whatever is j)rofitable is lawful ; might and force will be right to him. Therefore you are never safe till you have learned to prefer your duty before your interest.
(2.) Of friends, kindred, and relations. We are often tempted to be