Prov. xi. 18. The wicked ivorJceth a deceitful tvork: hut to Mm that soweth righteousness shall he a sure reward.
TO a superficial observer the wicked appear to have a far better portion than the righteous : for it is certain, that, in respect of earthly things, the
wicked have the larger share ; whilst the righteous, whether poor or not in this world's goods, are ohjects of general hatred and contempt. But, if we examine more attentively, we shall find that the advantage is decidedly and universally on the side of the righteous : for the wicked man, how prosperous soever he may be, "^ worketh a deceitful work," but to the righteous, however depressed he may be for a season, shall be a sure reward.
Let us notice the contrast which is here formed between the righteous and the wicked ;
I. In their characters —
Though "the wicked" are not distinguished in this place by any appropriate description, yet they are sufficiently marked by standing in contrast with the righteous, whose characters are accurately defined. The one " sow righteousness," which the other neglect to sow.
1. Let us consider this distinction — [The sowing of righteousness imports, that the person so engaged deliberately and with diligence endeavours to fulfil the will of God ; and that he does so with a view to a future harvest. The great "commandment " under the Gospel being, " that we believe in the name of the only-begotten Son of God%" he makes that his first concern. He comes to Christ daily as a self-ruined sinner, and looks to him as the appointed Saviour of the world. He seeks to be washed in his blood from all his sins, and to be renewed by his Spirit after the Divine image. In a word, his daily consolation is, " In the Lord have I riohteousness and stren<?th^." The aim of his soul is also to " walk in all things as Christ walked ;" to cultivate altogether " the mind that was in him;" and so to approve himself to God in the whole of his conduct, that in the last day that testimony may be given him from the lips of his applauding Judge, '' Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
" The wicked," on the contrary, has no such thoughts, no such desires. An interest in the Saviour is not of any great im- portance in his eyes, because he feels no need of it, and con- cludes of course that he possesses all that is requisite for his acceptance with God. As for " mortifying his earthly mem- bers," and " crucifying the flesh with the affections and lusts," that is a work to which he is utterly averse. He rather studies
a 1 John iii. 23. ^ Isai. xlv. 24.