OF THE SECURITY OF A VIRTUOUS COURSE. PROVERBS X. 9. HE THAT WALKETH UPRIGHTLY WALKETH SURELY, THESE words exprefs one of the most important of all maxims. They tell us, that in the practice of virtue there is SAFETY. Much higher praise may be bestowed upon it. We may fay that with it are connected peace, honour, dignity, the favour of God, happiness now, and ETERNAL happinefs herc= after: And we have reafon enough to think this true. But whether true or not, it is at least true, that there is fafety in it. Christianity informs us, that good men will be raised from death, to enjoy a glorious immortality, through that Saviour of the world who tafted death. for every man. But let the evidence for this be fuppofed precarios and unfatisfactory. Let it be reckoned uncertain, whether á virtuous courfe will terminate in such infinite bleffings under the divine government as chriftians are taught to expect: Still there will remain fufficient evidence to prove, that that in all events it must be the fafeft, and therefore our wifft courfe. I cannot better employ the prefent time, than in endeavouring to explain and illuftrate this truth. But previously to this, it will not be amifs to make a few obfervations on the character of the man who walks uprightly. Uprightnefs fignifies the fame with integrity or fincerity. It implies a freedom from guile and the faithful difcharge of every known duty. An upright man allows himfelf in nothing that is inconfiftent with truth and right. He' complies with all the obligations he is under, and avoids every kind of prevarication and falfehood. He maintains an equal and uniform regard to the whole of righteoufnefs. He hates alike all fin, and practifes every part of virtue, from an unfeigned attachment to it eftablished in his foul. This is what is most effential to the character of an upright man. He is governed by no finifter ends, or indirect views, in the difcharge of his duty. It is not the love of fame, or the defire of private advantages, or mere natural temper, that produces his virtuous condu&t ; but an affection to virtue as virtue; a fenfe of the weight and excellence of the obligations of righteoufnefs; and a zeal for the honour of God and the happiness of mankind. But to be a little more particular: : Uprightness of character comprehends in it right conduct conduct with refpect to God, and man, and ourfelves. The perfon I am defcribing, is, firft of all, upright in all his tranfactions with GOD. His religion is not a hypocritical fhow and oftentation. He is that which he appears to be to his fellowcreatures. His religious acts are emanations from a heart full of piety. He makes confcience of private as well as public devotion, and endeavours to walk blameless in all God's ordinances. He attends on. religious fervices, not to be feen of men, but from a fenfe of duty and gratitude to his Maker; and, inftead of making them a cover for bad defigns, or compenfations for immorality, he makes then incentives to the discharge of all moral duties, and the means of rendering him more benevolent, amiable, and worthy. Again. Uprightnefs implies faithfulness in all our tranfactions with ourselves. It is very common. for men to impofe upon themfelves; to wink at offenfive truths; and to practife unfair arts with their own minds. This is entirely inconfiftent with the character of an upright man. He endeavours to be faithful to himfelf in all that he thinks and does, and to diveft his mind of all unreasonable, biaffes. He is fair and honeft in all his inquiries and deliberations, ready to own his mistakes, and thankful for every help to discover them. He wishes to know nothing but what is true, and to practife nothing but what is right. He is open to convic |