Matthew Poole and continuators on Micah 6:8

8 He hath shewed thee , O man, what is good : and what doth the LORD require of thee , but to do justly , and to love mercy , and to walk humbly with thy God .

The Prophet answers the enquiry made, verse 7. otherwise then these enquirers did expect; you who make this enquiry might have spared this pains. God himself hath already plain enough told you this.

O Iewes, every one of you might from the Law of God know what would please your God, and with what you ought to come before him, you might have read, 1 Sam. 15.22. that he delighteth in your obeying his word, and more early, Deut. 10.12, 13, 22. the same practical rule was laid down

in it self for you, and well pleasing to your God, from his own mouth your Holy and Righteous Fathers did know, and so might you, what is that good, with which you should appear before God.

What so much? Or what without; Or doth he require any thing without? It is a question that must be resolved in a Negative, Comparative or Absolute; The Lord doth not require Sacrifice without Moral Duties, nor doth he require Sacrifice so much as such duties after mentioned.

To render to every one what is their due, Superiors, Equals, Inferiors, to be equal to all, and oppress none, in Body, Goods or Name; in all your dealings with men c[illegible: 1 letter]rry a Chancery in your own Breasts, and do according to equity.

Be kind, merciful and compassionate, towards all that need your kindness, do not use severity towards any, though the Laws of man did not require you to remit of your pretences, and if you exacted all your right you did not break the Laws of men, yet you should have respect to the Law of Love, and shew mercy with delight in shewing it, Rom. 12.8. and 2 Cor. 9.7. Heb. 13.16,

In all duties which immediately refer to the Precepts of the first Table, in all Religious exercise and deportment toward God, keep the heart sincerely humble toward God, think highly of Him, his Lawes and Determinations, murmure not against the final determinations God by his Providence makes, complain not of any of his Precepts, know and own it, thou art an unprofitable servant if thou hast done all, Luke 17.10.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 letter]sa. 1.1[illegible: 1 letter].; Heb. humble [illegible: 1 word] self to walk.