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I. The EXPECTATION of it. Put thyself into the place and circumstances of every man with whom thou hast to do. This is an exact rule. It is plain and easy. Three things are to be done before this rule will be of use to us.

1. We must make it appear reasonable.

2. Make it certain.

3. Make it practicable.

(1) Labour to understand truly every man's condition so far as you have opportunity.

(2) When from distance, self-interest you cannot understand, trust the concurrent experience of others that are in that condition.

(3) Conclude that in cases between superiors and inferiors, the partiality is usually on the inferiors' side.

(4) In judging of your present condition and circumstances, always abate something for the presence of them, for self-love and self-interest and other passions.

II. THE GROUNDS of this. The equity of the rule stands upon these foundations.

1. All men are equal in many things, and these the greatest things.

2. In most of those things wherein we are unequal, the inequality is not considerable, so as to be a ground of any unequal dealing with one another.

3. In all these things wherein men are unequal, the inequality is not fixed and constant, but mutable and by turns.

4. Among other grounds is the mutual and universal equity and advantage of this rule.

5. The absurdity and inconvenience of the contrary.

III. THE INSTANCES.

1. In matters of civil respect and conversation.

2. In matters of kindness and courtesies.

3. In matters of charity and compassion.

4. In matters of forbearance and forgiveness.

5. In matters of report and representation of other men, and their actions.

6. In matters of trust and fidelity.

7. In matters of duty and obedience.

8. In matters of freedom and liberty, which are not determined by natural or positive law.

9. In matters of commerce and contracts which arise from thence.

IV. RULES for directing our commerce.

1. Impose upon no man's ignorance or unskilfulness.

2. Impose upon no man's necessity.

3. Use plainness in all your dealings.

4. In matters of fancy use moderation. Let us not revenge ourselves.

(J. Tillotson, D. D.)It is sometimes said that Christians are defective in the duties of the second table; hypocrites may be, but not real Christians.

I. A RULE OF LIFE. This precept may be considered in the affirmative and negative; the latter to restrain injury, the former to do good. To impress this rule in the negative sense take four considerations.

1. That in the duties of the second table we have more light than we have in the first, for in the first we are to love God with all our heart (Matthew 22:26, 37), but the love to our neighbour is a measure more discernible. Love will tell us what is good for ourselves; in guiding our love to God we need many rules.

2. The breach of the rule is more evil in him which hath experienced the bitterness of wrongs, than in another; because experience giveth us a truer knowledge of things, than a naked conception of them. Thus conscience worketh in the way of restraint.

3. That this rule is spiritual, and concerneth the inward man as well as the outward, thoughts as well as actions.

4. This rule must be done not only out of love to man, but out of love to God, and as an act of obedience. Self-love is the measure, but not the principle, of our action. Now take the affirmative part.

1. In giving. Be as ready to do as to receive good.

2. In forgiving.

II. VINDICATE THIS RULE.

1. It seems not to be so perfect a rule: because many desire and wish much evil to themselves.

2. It seems to make all men equal, and destroy order and superiority, as master and servant.

3. Doth not this establish revenge and retaliation?

4. Is not this to impose a restraint upon the Christian from which others are free, and so to expose to constant loss?

III. THE EQUITY OF THIS RULE.

1. The actual equality of all men by nature.

2. The possible equality of all men as to condition and state of life.

IV. THE ILLATIVE PARTICLE "Therefore."

1. That God is the judge of human actions. He will see whether you do to others as they do to you, and you shall hear of it in your dealing with God.

2. That the usage we expect from God the same in measure we should deal out to others. Application: What an advantage religion is to mankind in the present life.

(1)  How securely we might live one by another.

(2)  How mutually helpful men would be to each other.

(3)  How much mankind have degenerated, and how few live Christians in the world.

(J. Manton, D. D.)

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KJV: Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

WEB: Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.