(1.) By them who turn away their hearts from the afflicted; so as not to
pity, help, or endeavour to comfort them in their distress. The Psalmist
was of another mind, when he says, _As for me, when they were sick, my
clothing was sackcloth. I humbled my soul with fasting, and my prayer
returned into mine own bosom. I behaved myself as though he had been my
friend or brother. I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his
mother_, Psal. xxxv. 13,-15.
(2.) They who deny to others those natural, civil, or religious
liberties, which, by God’s appointment, they have a right to, or envy
them the possession thereof, may be said to neglect this golden rule.
2. We are farther to enquire, how this rule, of doing to others what we
would have them do to us, may be of use, in order to our right observing
the Commandments of the second table?
_Answ._ The fifth Commandment, which requires the performance of all
relative duties, would be better observed, did superiors put themselves
in the place of inferiors, and consider what they would then expect from
them; and the same they ought to do to them. Again, the sixth, seventh,
and eight Commandments, that respect the life, honour, or wealth of
others; if these are dear to us, ought we not to consider, that they are
so to others; and if we would not be deprived of them ourselves, how
unreasonable is it for us to do any thing that may tend to deprive
others of them? Again, if, according to the ninth Commandment, our good
name be so valuable, that we ought to maintain it, should not this rule
be observed by defamers, slanderers, and backbiters, who do that to
others which they would not have done to themselves? And the tenth
Commandment, which forbids our uneasiness at, or being discontented
with, the good of others, or endeavouring to supplant, or divest them of
the possession of what God has given them in this world. This cannot be
done by any one who duly considers, how unwilling they would be to have
what they possess taken away, to satisfy the covetousness, or lust, of
others.
Quest. CXXIII., CXXIV., CXXV., CXXVI., CXXVII., CXXVIII.