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ing is extenfive. When we read, Thou fhalt not fteal, all manner of injustice and wrong, every thing contrary to any law, divine or human, to reafon, religion, or humanity, affecting the property of another, is to be understood as forbidden: and if we follow this idea but a little way, we shall find, that to fteal is a thing more common in the world, than is fuppofed; and that those persons many times, who are shocked at the word, are yet intimate with the offence, and deeply guilty of the very crime, which they ablior.

Torob, you will acknowledge, is a vice, that ranks with great propriety under this clafs the injury is not the lefs, because it is attended with violence. There are fome remains of fhame, and fear, the two guardians of virtue, in those who pilfer only in private; and are not yet hardened to fuch a degree, as to offer open wrong, and avow their injuftice.

But

But robbery alfo you deteft, as much as theft; and find as little occafion upon this head either for reproof, or counsel -It is true: in private perfons, and in little instances, this vice too is dishonourable but is it always fo esteemed in cafes of greater confequence, and where it is worse? The plundering of a province fhall be a famous exploit, when that of a fingle houfe is a capital crime: and the invasion of a kingdom, though founded in wrong, and accompanied with terrible barbarities, yet takes it's name from the event, and if it be fuccefsful, is always glorious.

But neither fhall we need to dwell upon this particular. It is a tranfgreffion of the law now before us; but, however truly to be lamented, and ftrictly to be answered for, is not likely to come into our account. We cannot afpire to the commiffion of fuch great crimes: it is a guilt above the reach of our ambi

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tion.

And fo far it is well: Happy were it for us, if either our fituation or temper, if any principles, or motives, or means whatever would fecure us with equal efficacy against other vices, or from all other tranfgreffions even of this very commandment.

For, thirdly, as robbery; and that higheft fpecies of robbery, unjust war, are offences against this law; fo alfo is oppreffion, every encroachment of the rich and powerful upon the poffeffions or fervices of their inferiours or dependants.

And this offence, it is to be feared, may be of a complexion more familiar to us. Alas! where almoft, may we ask, fhall we find the perfon who will restrain himself, when he cannot be refifted? who will not lean a little, and be partial towards his own fide, when there is nothing but reason to be urged against him? Here is the touchstone of fincerity,

the

the trial of true virtue.

Let me fee the

man, who can attend without a monitor to the whisper of equity; who is an advocate with himself for every one, who has a claim upon him; who fees his own cause with the fame eye, with which he looks upon that of another; his own reafons, not magnified by felf intereft, another person's, not diminished by inability to maintain them; who can be oppofed by his inferiours, and feel no refentment; speak without harshness, to fuch as muft not answer him; be gentle, where he might be infolent with safety; civil, to those he has obliged; pleased, with such as have expectations from him; attending to confiderations, of which he is not to be reminded; imposing no hardships, where they must be born; and offering no infults, when they cannot be returned; in a word, give me the man who finds no inducement to do wrong, in the power of doing it; and I will pronounce him a mafter in all the virtues

and

and duties, which belong to the intercourfe of men with each other reafon requires nothing more of him; and he is perfect in that precept of the gospel, which comprehends the law and the prophets, Whatsoever ye would that men Should Matt. vii. do to you, do ye even fo to them.

But this character, as it is excellent,

fo is it proportionably rare.

For as the

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6.

Apostle asks, Do not rich men oppress you, James ii. and draw you before the judgment feats? Not indeed now, to moleft you in the profeffion of your faith; a point concerning which they are not apt to be anxious, either for you or themfelves; but in your property perhaps, which you are as loth to part with. The benefit of the laws, in many cafes, cannot be obtained easily if you will have justice, you must pay for it. When rich men therefore taking advantage of this difficulty, withhold your right, under colour of referring it to the law, they rob; VOL. II. when

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