Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezekiel 18:7

7 And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge , hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment.

By rigorous dealing, grieve, injure, or damnifie and cause them to cry out; chap. 22.9. Z[illegible: 1 letter]ch. 7.10. which is done many wayes, and how s[illegible: 1 letter]ily soever 'tis done, yet 'tis a crying sin. Exod. 22.21, 22, 23, 24.

Much of oppression is in detaining what was laid in pawn, which was alwaies of greater value, than the thing that was [illegible: 1 letter]aken up on it; and the poor often pawn'd their most necessary Utensils, and oftentimes needed them e're they could redeem them; in such cases God will not the pledge be detain'd; as Ex. 22.26. and Deut. 24.6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17. but here Mercy ought to be prefer'd above profit, nor might the pledge be any way lessened by imbezelling it.

Nor by force rob'd any one, and taken out of the hand of the Owner, as the Thief doth: Whoso hath forbore these courses of inhumanity and injustice.

With compassion hath given to the necessitous, communicating to them as their case required, and our ability will reach, bread here is largely to be taken. Isa. 58.7.

Such as truly want, are not able to help themselves; and we may with reason think, have none to help them, if we do not.

Clothed the naked, who else are like to perish for want of clothing; as Iob 31.19. Who are such, and live so just, so holy, so inoffensive, so beneficent a Life among men shall not suffer for the sins others commit.

Marginal references: Exod. 2[illegible: 1 letter].[illegible: 2 letters] Lev. 19.[illegible: 2 letters] and 25.[illegible: 2 letters]; Exod. 2[illegible: 1 letter].[illegible: 2 letters] Deut. 2[illegible: 1 letter].[illegible: 2 letters]; Deut. 15.7. [illegible: 1 word]. 58.7. Matth. 25.35.