good, and sell it for pure wheat, which is to defraud. "Your wine
many the kingdom of heaven. A bee may suck a little honey from the leaf—but put it in a barrel of honey, and it is drowned! To suck moderately from the creature, God allows; but excess engulfs men in perdition.
(12) If you would not fall short of the kingdom of heaven— take heed of injustice in your dealings. Defrauding lies in two things:
1. Mixing commodities, as if anyone should mix bad wheat with good, and sell it for pure wheat, which is to defraud. "Your wine mixed with water." Isaiah 1:22.
2. Giving scant measure. "Making the ephah small." Amos 8:5. The ephah was a measure which the Jews used in selling: they made the ephah small; they gave not full measure. I wish this were not the sin of many. "He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand." Hos 12:7. Can they be holy—who are not just? "Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances?" Micah 6:11. Is his heart sincere— who has false weights? Many cannot reach heaven—because of their over-reaching.
(13) If you would not miss the kingdom of heaven—take heed of evil company. There is a necessary commerce with men in buying and selling, or, as the apostle says, we must go out of the world—but do not voluntarily choose the company of the wicked. 1 Cor 5:10. "I have written unto you not to keep company." 1 Cor 5:11. Do not incorporate into the society of the wicked, or be too much familiar with them. The wicked are God-haters. "Should you love those who hate the Lord?" 2 Chron 19:2. A Christian is bound, by virtue of his oath of allegiance to God in baptism, not to have intimate converse with such as are God's sworn enemies. What company can Christ's doves have—among birds of prey? What