Directions for weak distempered Christians, to grow up to a confirmed state of grace…

2. And the weak Christian maketh conscience of Justice as well as acts of piety, as knowing that God hath no need of our Sacrifices, but loveth to see us do that which is good for humane society, and which we have need of from each other. But yet he hath more selfishness and partiality than the confirmed Christian hath, and therefore is often overcome by temptations to unrighteous things: As to stretch his Conscience for his commodity, in buying or selling, and concealing the faults of what he selleth, and sometimes overreaching others: Especially he is ordinarily too censorious of others, and apt to be credulous of evil reports, and to be overbold and forward in speaking ill of men behind their backs, and without a call: especially against persons that differ from him in matters of Religion, where he is usually most unjust and apt to go beyond his bounds, Jam. 3.15, 16. Tit. 3.2. Eph. 4.31. 1 Pet. 2.1.

3. The seeming Christian may have a seeming Justice. But really he hath none but what must give place to his fleshly interest; and if his honour and commodity and safety require it, he will not stick to be unjust. And that Justice which wanteth ⟨p. 111⟩but a strong temptation to overturn it, is almost as bad as none. If he will not seize on Naboths Vineyard, nor make himself odious by oppression or deceit; yet if he can raise or enrich himself by secret cozenage, and get so fair a pretence for his injustice, as shall cloak the matter from the fight of men, he seldom sticketh at it. It is an easy matter to make an Achan think that he doth no harm, or a Gebazi think that he wrongeth no man, in taking that which was offered and due. Covetousness will not confess its name; but will find some Reasonings to make good all the injustice which it doth,