eclness, as it is the tendency of evil to j^roduce misery. 2d. The general course of divine providence. God in his provi- dence does as a general rule prosper the diligent and bless the righteous. Honesty is the best policy, is a maxim even of worldly wisdom. 3d. Even in this life righteousness pro- duces a hundred-fold m.ore good than unrighteousness does. A righteous man is a hundred-fold more happy than a wicked man, other things being equal. A good man is a hundred-fold more happy in sickness, in poverty, in bereavement, than a wicked man in the same circumstances. It is, therefore, ac- cording to Scripture, a general law, that he that scattereth, increaseth ; he that gives shall have wherewith to give.
His righteousness (i. e. the righteo\isness of the man who gives to the poor) endureth forever. The word hiKaiofrvvq^ righteousness^ in Scripture, is often used in a comprehensive sense, including all moral excellence ; and often in a restricted sense for rectitude or justice. When used in the comprehen- sive sense, it depends on the context what particular form of goodness is intended. To return a poor man's j^ledge is an act of 8tKato(rw77, Deut. 24, 13; so is giving alms. Matt. 6, 1 (where the true reading is SiKatocruVr^v, and not iXcrjixoa-vvrjv) . In like manner the "glory of God " may mean the sum of his divine perfections, or his wisdom, power, or mercy, as special forms of his glory, as the context requires. In this passage it is plain that righteousness means general excellence or virtue, as manifested in beneficence. And when it is said that his beneficence shall continue forever, the implication is that he shall always have wherewith to be beneficent. And this is here the main idea. He shall always be prosperous ; or, as it is expressed at tlie close of v. 8, he shall have abundance for every good work. Forever is equivalent to always^ as cts tov aiajm is often used for indefinite duration. Whether the duration be absolutely without limit, or wdiethcr the limit be unknown or undetermined, depends in each case on the nature of the thing spoken of, and on the analogy of Scripture.
10. Now, he that ministereth seed to the sower, both minister bread for (your) food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteous- ness.
Now ; 8e is continuativc. God is able to give you abund-