Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come.-1 Cor. iv. 5. Charity, &c. thinketh no evil.1 Cor. xiii. 5. Put them in mind to speak evil of no man, &c. for we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient. -Titus iii. 1—3. Speak not evil one of another, &c. who art thou that judgest another? James iv. 11, 12. Wherefore laying aside, &c. all evil speakings.-1 Pet. ii. 1. SECT. 3.-Be just, righteous, true, and faithful to and with them, in all things of Trust and Dealing. LABAN's unjust dealing with Jacob.Gen. xxxi. 38, &c. That which is altogether just (or justice) shalt thou follow, that thou, &c.-Deut. xvi. 20. Ye shall not, &c. deal falsely, neither lie one to another. Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him, &c. ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure: just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the Lord your God. Levit. xix. 11. 13. 35,36; Job xvii. 5; Levit. xxv. 17. If thou sell ought unto thy neighbour, or buyest ought of thy neighbour's hand, ye shall not oppress one another.-Levit. xxv. 14. Thou shalt not have in thy house divers measures, a great and a small. -Deut. xxv. 14. Ziba, by his politic dealings, and lie to David, rendered Mephibosheth obnoxious to David's displeasure, and thereby obtained all his possessions. -2 Sam. xvi. 1-4. The righteous Lord loveth righteousness.-Ps. xi. 7. : A false balance is an abomination to the Lord but a just weight is his delight. Prov. xi. 1; xvi. 11; Micah vi. 10, 11. are alike abomination to the Lord.Prov. xx. 10; Amos viii. 5. To do justice and judgment, is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice, &c. It is joy to the just to do judgment.-Prov. xxi. 3.15; Micah vi. 6-8. Remove not the ancient land mark (or bound) which thy fathers have set. Enter not into the fields of the fatherless, for their Redeemer is mighty, he shall plead their cause with thee.Prov. xxii. 28; xxiii. 10, 11. As a madman, &c. so is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?- Prov. xxvi. 18, 19, God complained against Israel : none calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth.-Isa. lix. 4. Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong: that useth his neighbour's service without wages, &c.-Jer. xxii. 13. In thee have they dealt by oppression with the stranger.-Ezek. xxii. 7. 29. Daniel was faithful in his trust, neither was there any error or fault found in him.-Dan. vi. 4, 5. What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly? &c.-Micah vi. 8. The just Lord is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity.— Zeph. iii. 5. Have we not all one Father? Hath not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother?-Mal. ii. 10. John said unto the Publicans, Exact no more than that which is appointed you, &c. And to the soldiers he said, Do violence to no man, &c. be content with your wages, &c.— Luke iii. 13, 14. He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much, &c.— Luke xvi. 10-12. Render therefore to all their dues, Divers weights (or a stone and a tribute to whom tribute, &c. Owe stone) and divers measures, (or an no man any thing, but to love one ephah and an ephah,) both of them another.-Rom. xiii. 7, 8. Nay, you do wrong and defraud, | God, might be careful to maintain &c. know ye not that the unrighteous good works: these things are good shall not inherit ? &c.-1 Cor. vi. 8, 9. and profitable unto men; and let ours That no man go beyond and de- also learn to maintain good works (or fraud his brother in any matter, be- profess honest trades) for necessary cause the Lord is the avenger of all uses, &c.-Titus iii. 8. 14. such.-1 Thess. iv. 6. Follow after righteousness.-1 Tim. vi. 11. The hire of the labourers, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth, and the cries, &c. have entered, &c.James v. 4. Follow peace with all men.-Heb. xii. 14. But if ye have bitter envying and strife, &c. this wisdom descendeth not from above, but is, &c. The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, &c. And the fruit of righteSECT. 4.-Live peaceably, not inter-ousness is sown in peace of them that meddling with others; nor idle, nor make peace.-James iii. 14, 15. 17, trifling. SEEK peace and pursue it.-Ps. xxxiv. 14; cxx. 7. Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house, lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.-Prov. xxv. 17. Accuse not a servant to his master, lest he curse thee, &c.-Prov. xxx. 10. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other. -Matt. v. 9. 39. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men; dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves.-Rom. xii. 18, 19. If the unbelieving depart, let him depart, &c. but God hath called us to peace.-1 Cor. vii. 15. That ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work, &c.-1 Thess. iv. 11. We hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies: now them that are such, we command and exhort, &c. that with quietness they work, &c.-2 Thess. iii. 11, 12. Withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house: and not only idle, but tattlers also, and busybodies; I will, &c. that they give no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.-1 Tim. v. 13— 15. That they which have believed in 18. From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts?-James iv. 1. Let none of you suffer, &c. as a busybody in other men's matters. — 1 Pet. iv. 15. He that will love life, &c. let him seek peace and ensue it.-1 Pet. iii. 10, 11. SECT. 5. Not to be discontented, angry, or revengeful against them: but to behave themselves meekly, gently, and patiently toward them; bearing Wrong. O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth.-Ps. xciv. 1. I Lot speaks to the wicked men thus, pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly, &c.-Gen. xix. 5—7. Simeon and Levi's cruelty in slaying the Shechemites greatly blamed.Gen. xxxiv. 25, 26. 30; xlix. 5—7. David resolved in haste to destroy Nabal's house, because of Nabal's unkindness; but Abigail having interposed, he blessed God for her counsel, and forbore his revenge.-1 Sam. xxv. 32-34; Levit. xix. 18; Prov. xx. 22; xxiv. 29. Israel's rage against Judah was rebuked by the prophet. -2 Chron. xxviii. 9, 10. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity for they CHAP. XVII. TO ALL MEN. shall soon be cut down.-Ps. xxxvii. 1,2; Prov. xxiv. 1. 19. Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.-Prov. iii. 31. Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.-Prov. xxiii. 17. Whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause, shall be in danger of the judgment.-Matt. v. 22. If we forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.-Matt. vi. 14, 15. Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.-Matt. xi. 29. One of them which were with Jesus, stretched out his hand and drew a sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, &c. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place; for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. -Matt. xxvi. 51, 52; v. 39. The Samaritans did not receive Christ; and when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of: for the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives.-Luke ix. 52-56. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. -Rom. xii. 19. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not, &c. is not easily provoked; thinketh no evil.-1 Cor. xiii. 4, 5. In malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.-1 Cor. xiv. 20. The fruit of the Spirit is, &c. longsuffering, gentleness, &c. meekness, temperance.-Gal. v. 22, 23. anger, Let all bitterness, and wrath, and Put on bowels of mercies, &c. forbearing one another, and forgiving one another. If any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.-Col. iii. 12, 13. Be patient toward all men: see that none render evil for evil unto any man.-1 Thess. v. 14, 15; 1 Pet. iii. 9. The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, &c. patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves: if God peradventure, &c.—2 Tim. ii. 24, 25. To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers: but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.-Titus iii. 2. Let every man be slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.-James i. 19, 20. The wisdom that is from above, is, &c. gentle and easy to be entreated, &c.-James iii. 17. Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing, &c. knowing that ye are, &c. Be ready always to give an answer unto every man, &c. with meekness.-1 Pet. iii. 9. 15. SECT. 6.-To pity them, shew them Mercy, pray for them, and requite Ir thou meet thine enemy's ox or ass If thy brother be waxen poor, &c. thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.-Levit. xxv. 35. David rewarded Saul good for evil, which Saul acknowledgeth.-1 Sam. xxiv. 17-19. Israel was charged to clothe, feed, and help the men of Judah, then their captives.-2 Chron. xxviii. 11. 15. With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful.—Ps. xviii. 25. The righteous is ever merciful.Ps. xxxvii. 25, 26. He that considereth the poor, or sick, the Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing.-Ps. xli. 1-3. The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.-Prov. xi. 17. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.-Prov. xii. 10. He that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.-Prov. xvii. 5. If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee. Prov. xxv. 21, 22; 2 Chron. xxviii. 11. 15; Prov. xxiv. 11, 12. Seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it; for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.-Jer. xxix. 7. Blessed are the merciful, &c. love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, &c. that ye may be the children of your heavenly Father; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, &c. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the Publicans the same?-Matt. v. 7. 4446; Luke vi. 32, 33. 35, 36. Christ had compassion on the multitude, and did them good.-Matt. ix. 36; xiv; xv. 32. The Samaritan's compassion and care of the wounded, in the parable, commended.-Luke x. 30, &c. Recompense to no man evil for evil, &c. avenge not yourselves, &c. If thine enemy hunger, feed him, &c. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.-Rom. xii. 17. 19-21. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men.-Gal. vi. 10. Put on bowels of mercies, kindness, &c.-Col. iii. 12; Micah vi. 8. The Lord make you to increase in love, &c. toward all men.-1 Thess. iii. 12. See that none render evil for evil unto any man, but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.-1 Thess. v. 15. I exhort, &c. that supplications and prayers, &c. be made for all men.— 1 Tim. ii. 1. He shall have judgment without mercy that hath shewed no mercy.— James ii. 13. The wisdom that is from above, is, &c. full of mercy and good fruits.— James iii. 17. Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing; but contrariwise blessing.-1 Pet. iii. 9. SECT. 7.-To behave humbly and courteously toward all, giving them due Respect. THE children of Heth said to Abraham, Hear us, my lord; Thou art a mighty prince among us; in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead, &c. And Abraham stood up and bowed himself to the people of the land, &c.-Gen. xxiii. 5—7. 11, 12. Jacob bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near his brother Esau, &c. Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant, &c. Let me find grace in the sight of my lord.-Gen. xxxiii. 3. 14, 15. Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God; I am the Lord. Levit. xix. 32; Rom. xiii. 7. If thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again.-2 Kings iv. 29. Let me not give flattering titles unto men, &c. my Maker would soon take me away.-Job xxxii. 21, 22. God threatened it as an evil, that the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable.-Isa. iii. 5. ye lest they make thee sin against me.— Exod. xxiii. 32, 33. When Jehoshaphat had helped the wicked king of Israel, Jehu, the son of Hanani the seer, went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thon help the ungodly, and love them who hate the Lord? Therefore is wrath upon thee from before the Lord.-2 Chron. xix. 1, 2. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. If ye salute your brethren only, what do you more than others? do-Ps. i. 1. not even the Publicans so? Be Who shall abide in thy tabernacle? therefore perfect, as your Father &c. He in whose eyes a vile person which is in heaven is perfect.-Matt. is contemned.-Ps. xv. 1. 4. v. 47, 48. When ye come into an house, salute it. Matt. x. 12. When thou art bidden, &c. sit not down in the highest room, lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him, and he that bade thee and him, come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room, &c. Sit in the lowest room, &c. then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. Luke xiv. 8-10. I am not mad, most noble Festus, said Paul; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.-Acts xxvi. 25. I, &c. communicated that gospel, &c. but privately to them that were of reputation.-Ġal. ii. 2. Honour (or esteem) all men.-1 Pet. ii. 17. Finally, &c. be courteous.-1 Pet. iii. 8. The elder unto the elect lady, &c. And now I beseech thee, lady.-2 John 1. 5. The children of thy elect sister greet thee.-2 John 13. SECT. 8.-To avoid all unnecessary Society and Fellowship with wicked Men. THEY shall not dwell in thy land, I have not sat with vain persons; neither will I go in with dissemblers. I have hated the congregation of evil-doers: and will not sit with the wicked.-Ps. xxvi. 4, 5. I will not know a wicked person, &c. He that worketh deceit, shall not dwell within my house. He that telleth lies, shall not tarry in my sight.-Ps. ci. 4. 7; cxix. 115. Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, &c. with him that hateth peace. I am for peace, &c. they are for war. -Ps. cxx. 5—7. Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred.-Ps. cxxxix. 21, 22. My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not: walk not thou in the way with them: refrain thy foot from their path.-Prov. i. 10. 15. He that walketh with wise men shall be wise but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.-Prov. xiii. 20. Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.-Prov. xiv. 7. Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go; lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.-Prov. xxii. 24, 25. |