^ Prov. xvii. 16. ^ Four times is this repeated, ver. 5, 7.
c Prov. viii. 35.
'^ If this were the subject of a Commemoration Sermon, the inten- tion of the founder, and the obligations necessarily attaching to every member of the society, might be urged as a fourth and more appro- priate consideration to enforce the royal precept given in the text.
THE christian's PATH COMPARED TO THE LIGHT.
Prov. iv. 18. The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day,
HABITS, of whatever kind, are strengthened by- exercise ; the more congenial they are with our na- tural feelings, the more easily are they confirmed. Hence the wicked, without any express purpose on their part, are daily more and more riveted to the world and sin. The righteous too increase in love to the ways of God in proportion as they endeavour to fidfil his will. They have indeed a bias, which, if they were left to themselves, would soon turn them aside. But God will not leave them destitute of needful succour : he pledges himself that their path shall resemble the shining light. This is found true by happy experience. Their path is,
I. Beautiful in its appearance —
The rising sun is as beautiful an object as any in the whole creation —
[At its first approach it tinges the distant clouds with light. On its first appearance it gilds the summits of the woods and mountains : then, dispelling all the shades of night, it illumines the whole horizon. How delightful is this to every one that beholds if' !]
Thus is the path of the righteous exceeding beau- tiful—
[" The just" are they who are renewed and sanctified by the Spirit of God. Their path in the very outset is beautiful to behold. Their simplicity of mind, and teachableness of spirit, endear them to us; their lowliness and humility attract the notice of the very angels themselves^. The fervour of their love engages both our admiration and esteem. The very shades in their character serve as a contrast to shew the exceUence of the change that has passed upon them. As they proceed their graces ai'e more matured. Their course is justly described by the Apostle Paul^ Surely such a conduct must be beautiful in the eyes of God and man. They are justly spoken of as " beautified with salvation*^ : they even reflect a lustre upon the Gospel itself*".]
While their path is so amiable, it resembles the light further, in that it is
II. Beneficial in its influence —
The sun does not shine with unproductive splen- dour—
[It enables the several orders of men to return to their respective callings. In the darkness they could not go without stumbling *^; but now they follow their occupations without fear or difficulty. The productions of the earth also feel the genial influence of the sun, and are matured by means of its invigo- rating beams.]
Nor is the Christian unprofitable in his course —
[The wicked are stumbling on every side of him ^; but the Christian aflbrds a light to the benighted souls around him^. He shines in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation* : he is an epistle of Christ, known and read of all men ^. The account given of Job, describes his course, as far as his situa- tion and circumstances will allow ^ Thus by his conduct he
a Eccl. xi. 7. ^ Luke xv. 10. <= Phil. iv. 8.
^ Ps. clxix. 4 e Tit. ii, 10. f John xi. 9, 10.
R Prov. iv. 19. ii Matt, v, 14. ' Phil. ii. 15, 16.
k 2 Cor. iii. 2, 3. ' Job xxix. 11—16.
763.1 THE christian's PATH. 51
puts to silence the ignorance of foolish men'". He even wins some, perhaps, whom the word alone would never have con- verted", and causes many to glorify his heavenly Father".]
The comparison yet further holds, in that the path of the just, like that of the sun, is,