A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…

3. There are Opera Justitiae, Works of Righteousness; as to give every Man his due, to hurt none, to live without wrong to any, or wrack of, or breach upon our own Consciences. Acts 24.16. Herein do I exercise my self to have always a Conscience void of Offence towards God, and towards Man. These are good and profitable to humane Society; and the Credit of Religion is much concerned in them. Hypocrites that abound in Worship, and are zealous for the Institutions of Christ, most commonly are here defective, they are not Just, Righteous and Conscionable in their Dealing; therefore they are strictly required, Mich. 6.8. He hath showed thee, O Man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love Mercy? God requires it of all, but especially of Men professing Piety; because making Conscience of Justice and Equity in their Dealing, is both an Argument of their Sincerity, and an Ornament of their Profession. God will have the World know, that Religion is a Friend to humane Society. Indeed there are some that would be accounted Religious Persons, yet live as if the whole Second Table were to be blotted out, and so they prove a Stain and Blot to their Religion. Men judg by what is visible, and therefore when you break all Restraints of Honesty and Conscience, you disparage your Profession. Nehem. 5.9. Ought ye not to walk in the Fear of our God, because of the Reproach of the Heathen our Enemies? Our Adversaries are watchful, therefore keep up the Credit and Renown of Religion; do Justice, deal Righteously, for that is the Case in hand. Austin asserts, (and so do the Fathers generally) the Primitive Glory of the Christian Religion; that none were so just, so good in their Relations, so true and faithful to their Trust as the Christians were: Dent exercitum talem, tales Imperatores, &c. Let them show such Magistrates, such People, such Merchants, such Soldiers, as the Christian Religion affords.

3. There are Opera Iustitiae, Works of Righteousness; as to give every Man his due, to hurt none, to live without wrong to any, or wrack of, or breach upon our own Consciences. Acts 24.16. Herein do I exercise my self to have always a Conscience void of Offence towards God, and towards Man. These are good and profitable to humane Society; and the Credit of Religion is much concerned in them. Hypocrites that abound in Worship, and are zealous for the Institutions of Christ, most commonly are here defective, they are not Just, Righteous and Conscionable in their Dealing; therefore they are strictly required,