SERMON

VI.

OF THE SECURITY OF A VIRTUOUS COURSE.

PROVERBS X. 9.

He that walketh uprightly, walketh furely.

TH

HESE 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 say

that with it are connected peace, honour, dignity, the favour of God, happiness now, and ETERNAL happiness hereafter : And we have reafon enough to think this true. But whether true or not, it

is

is at least true, that there is SAFETY

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 precarious and unfatisfactory.Let it be reckoned uncertain whether a 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 in all events it must be the fafcft, and therefore our wifest course.

I cannot better employ the present 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,

Urightness fignifies the fame with integrity or fincerity. It implies a freedom

from

from guile and the faithful difcharge of every known duty. An upright man allows himself in nothing that is inconsistent 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 practises every part of virtue, from an unfeigned attachment to it established 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 discharge of his duty. It is not the love of fame, or the defire of private advantages, or mere natural temper that produces his virtuous conduct; but an affection to virtue as virtue; a fenfe of the weight and excellence of the obligations of righteousness; and a zeal for the honour of God and the happiness of mankind. But to be a little more particular.

Up

Uprightness of character comprehends in it right conduct with respect to God, and man, and ourselves.

am defcribing is first of all

his tranfactions with GOD.

The perfon I upright in all His religion

He

is not an hypocritical fhew and oftentation. He is that which he appears to be to his fellow-creatures. 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 blamelessly in all God's ordinances. attends on religious fervices not to be seen of men; but from a sense of duty and gratitude to his Maker; and, inftead of making them a cover for bad defigns, or compenfations for immorality, he makes them incentives to the difcharge of all moral duties, and the means of rendering him more benevolent, amiable, and worthy.

Again. Uprightness implies faithfulnefs in all our tranfactions with ourselves. It is very common for men to impofe

upon

1

upon themselves; to wink at offenfive truths; and to practise unfair arts with their own minds. This is entirely incon sistent with the character of an upright man. He endeavours to be faithful ta: himself in all that he thinks and does, and to diveft his mind of all unreasonable biaffes. He is fair and honest in all his enquiries and deliberations, ready to own his mistakes, and thankful for every help to discover them. He wilhes to know nothing but what is true, and to practife nothing but what is right. He is open. to conviction, indifferent where he finds truth, and prepared to follow it wherever it can lead him. He is often difciplining his heart, searching into the principles of conduct within him, and labouring to detect his faults in order to rectify! them.

Further. Uprightness includes in it candour, fairness, and honefty in all our transactions with our fellow-creatures. An upright man may be depended upon in all

his