1. That God is the Judg of Human Actions, he will take cognizance of this, whether you do to others as they do to ⟨p. 364⟩you, and you shall hear of it in your dealing with God: that's the first and lowest thing: and remember you have to do with God, as much as they have to do with you: he shows this to bridle the Excesses of those that are in Power. There are a sort of Men that think they may do any thing if they can do it safely, Mic. 2. 1. That do evil, because it is in the practice of their Hand. They eagerly prosecute their Purposes and Desires when they have Power to effect them. Now a Christian should pause upon the Matter, and consider not only what is possible to be done, but what is just and lawful to be done: and Conscience should put a severe restraint, when nothing else can hinder us; as Joseph said, Gen. 42. 18. This do, and live: for I fear God. He had a full advantage against them that wrought him so much Mischief; but he had an inward Principle laid up in his Heart which begat a tenderness, I fear God. But when Men will do every thing they are able to effect; and will do any thing as far as their Power will reach; remember you must come before God, and God can requite it though they cannot. It is not Conscience which governs the greatest part of the World, but Interest. When it is not for Mens Interest, they will do no wrong; but when they have Power enough to do what they intend, they care not how they trample upon their own Brethren, hate and pursue them with all that is evil. It is hard to avoid this Snare, when we are in Power. Men forget God: and abuse their Power, and many times by a strange Providence they are brought to suffer the like hardness themselves. When we see the oppressions of the innocent, and things carried so perversely, we are apt to say, Lord, who shall call these Men into question? Who shall accuse them? Why, the Sighs and Groans of the oppressed before God's Tribunal, upon all Persons depend every moment, these will be more Authentic Witnesses than any matters of Fact can be produced in a lower Court.
1. That God is the Judg of Human Actions, he will take cognizance of this, whether you do to others as they do to ⟨p. 364⟩you, and you shall hear of it in your dealing with God: that's the first and lowest thing: and remember you have to do with God, as much as they have to do with you: he shews this to bridle the Excesses of those that are in Power. There are a sort of Men that think they may do any thing if they can do it safely, Mic. 2. 1. That do evil, because it is in the practice of their Hand. They eagerly prosecute their Purposes and Desires when they have Power to effect them. Now a Christian should pause upon the Matter, and consider not only what is possible to be done, but what is just and lawful to be done: and Conscience should put a severe restraint, when nothing else can hinder us; as Ioseph said, Gen. 42. 18. This do, and live: for I fear God. He had a full advantage against them that wrought him so much Mischief; but he had an inward Principle laid up in his Heart which begat a tenderness, I fear God. But when Men will do every thing they are able to effect; and will do any thing as far as their Power will reach; remember you must come before God, and God can requite it though they cannot. It is not Conscience which governs the greatest part of the World, but Interest. When it is not for Mens Interest, they will do no wrong; but when they have Power enough to do what they intend, they care not how they trample upon their own Brethren, hate and pursue them with all that is evil. It is hard to avoid this Snare, when we are in Power. Men forget God: and abuse their Power, and many times by a strange Providence they are brought to suffer the like hardness themselves. When we see the oppressions of the innocent, and things carried so perversely, we are apt to say, Lord, who shall call these Men into question? Who shall accuse them? Why, the Sighs and Groans of the oppressed before God's Tribunal, upon all Persons depend every moment, these will be more Authentick Witnesses than any matters of Fact can be produced in a lower Court.
