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• Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He ⚫ that walketh uprightly and worketh righteousness and speaketh the truth in his • heart. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.' *

*Psalm xv, 1, 2-5.

THE

SECURITY OF THE UPRIGHT.

PROV. 1, 9.

He that walketh uprightly walketh surely.

Amid

THIS excellent maxim of Solomon deserves our serious and habitual attention. the manifold varieties of life we shall have frequent occasion to experience its importance and utility. In seasons of doubt and difficulty; of trial and dismay, the honest mind may derive much consolation and strength from reflecting that-be who walketh uprightly walketh surely. Whatever opinions be true, and whatever events may befal, he is, at least, safe; he can suffer no real loss, and he is likely to have unspeakable gain.

BUT by some it may be said, why should our duty be recommended to us by such an inferior consideration? Why say nothing more for the path of uprightness than merely that it is a safe path? Is not this the language of hesitation rather than of faith, and would it not have a much better effect to declare at once the whole truth; to declare that he who walketh uprightly walketh so as not only to secure infallibly all that is good for us on earth, but likewise all the glories of the kingdom of heaven?

To this I answer, that we know and are persuaded that obedience is necessarily connected with happiness. Obedience, though not the procuring cause of happiness, is certainly the qualification which fits us for enjoying it: and if we really possess this qualification, we shall assuredly obtain the heavenly reward. This the gospel declares; and by the death and resurrection of its Author, the Lord Jesus Christ, we are confirmed in the blessed hope set before us.' -But still we are warranted to maintain, that obedience or uprightness is of such infinite consequence that it deserves to be re

commended by every consideration. Why not then recommend it from its safety? Why not remind the good man, that on whatever side the truth lies, and whatever be the final issue of things, he treads upon sure ground, and can never lose by his goodness. This is certainly a most important idea, which can never be too deeply impressed upon the mind.-Who knows what awaits him in life?-From the state of our animal spirits, or from the cunning crafti

ness of those who lie in wait to deceive,' we may often be tempted to doubt of many truths which are now dearest to our hearts, and cease to derive consolation from them; but almost never can we have a doubt of the truth of this maxim, He that walketh uprightly walketh surely.'-All that I now purpose is, after briefly explaining the words of the maxim, to illustrate and establish the sentiment which it contains.

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To walk, often means, in Scripture language, to pursue a particular course of conduct. Thus to walk honestly; or to walk deceitfully, means to lead a good or a bad life. Enoch is said to have walked with God;' that is, to have lived conscienti

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ously and piously in his generation. He who hateth his brother, is said by S'. John, to walk in darkness; that is, he sins against the light; acts contrary to his own interest; offends God, and disgraces the gospel. Accordingly, to walk uprightly, is to endeavour habitually to keep impressions of duty strong upon the mind; to avoid as much as possible, the pollutions of the world; to render to all their dues;' to do good as we have opportunity;' to ' fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity ' and truth.'-In one word, to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.' He that thus

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walketh up

He acts a safe

rightly walketh surely.' part: happen what will, he need fear no evil: he hazards nothing, and has the prospect of gaining every thing. At all events, his is a prudent choice,—a choice of which he will never have the least reason to repent.

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*

To illustrate and establish this point is what I chiefly purposed. And, with this view, I shall consider uprightness in regard both to the life which now is, and to that which is to come. In the present life, up

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