Ps. xviii. 25, 26. With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself mei-ciful ; with an upright man thou zoilt shetv thyself up- right ; toith the pure thou ivilt sheio thyself ptire ; and with the f reward thou wilt shew thyself froward.
IN the present dispensations of Providence, we may behold a far greater measure of equahty than is generally imagined : for, not only is the happiness of men less dependent upon outward circumstances than we are apt to suppose, but there is more of just retribution manifested in reference to the conduct of mankind. The ungodly are, for the most part, left to involve themselves in many calamities ; whilst the godly are preserved in peace and quietness. There is sufficient of equality in God's dispensations to mark his superintending care ; but sufficient inequa- lity to convince us, that there shall be a day of future retribution, when the whole of the divine government shall be justified in the sight of the assembled uni- verse.
The passage before us may be considered as re- lating to both periods. The Psalmist is returning thanks to God, for having interposed in his behalf to vindicate his integrity against the accusations of his enemies : " The Lord hath recompensed me accord- ing to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eye-sights" He then goes on to speak of the general system of the divine government, as begun on earth, and as completed in the eternal world : '' With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful," &c. &c.
From these words, I shall take occasion to shew the equity of the divine procedure,
I. In the punishment of the ungodly —
The day of judgment is called " the day of the revelation of the righteous judgment of God ; because God will then render unto every man according to his deeds^." Whatever may have been the conduct of men, the divine conduct towards them shall be in exact accordance with it.
Consider, now, what has been your conduct,
1. Towards God — [You have felt in your hearts no esteem for him; you have preferred every vanity, and even the basest lust, before
a ver. 24. ^ Rom. ii. 5, 6.