Exodus 22:7-13

If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep.

The law of trusts

1. God’s law provides strictly to keep men faithful to their trusts by men.

2. Theft may abuse and frustrate the trust of the most faithful men.

3. Such theft discovered is punished with double restitution by God.

4. In theft undiscovered and upon suspicion, trustees are bound to clear themselves by oath.

5. A right oath as it terminates upon God, so ought in some cases to be taken before magistrates (Exodus 22:8).

6. In doubtful cases about trust, civil powers are enabled to try men, and judge by oath.

7. The falsifier of trust convicted must restore double (Exodus 22:9).

8. Living stuff trusted to any and dying, none knowing how, the trustee’s oath must clear him (Exodus 22:10).

9. Living goods trusted to keeping upon consideration if stolen, must be made good by the keeper (Exodus 22:12).

10. No law binds men to restore what Providence takes away from men by wild beasts (Exodus 22:13). (G. Hughes, B. D.)