Proverbs 10:9 He that walks uprightly walks surely: but he that perverts his ways shall be known. I. DESCRIBE THE PRACTICE ITSELF. To walk doth signify our usual course of dealing, or the constant tenor of our practice. Uprightly means "in perfection," or "with integrity"; it denotes sincerity and purity of intention. "He that walketh uprightly" imports one who is constantly disposed in his designs and dealings to bear a principal regard to the rules of his duty and the dictates of his conscience. II. PROOF OF THE SECURITY. 1. An upright walker is secure of easily finding his way. If we will but open our eyes, the plain, straight, obvious road, the way of the just, is right in view before us. The ways of iniquity and vanity, ill designs and bad means of executing designs, are very unintelligible, very obscure, abstruse, and intricate. The ways of truth are graven in very legible characters by the finger of God upon our hearts and consciences. An upright man doth hardly need any conduct beside his own honesty. If ever such a man is at a loss as to his course, he hath always at hand a most sure guide to conduct or direct him. 2. The upright walker doth tread upon firm ground. He builds upon solid, safe, approved and well-tried principles. 3. The upright person doth walk steadily. His integrity is an excellent ballast, holding him tight and well poised in his deportment. 4. The way of uprightness is the surest for dispatch, and the shortest cut toward the execution or attainment of any good purpose. 5. The way of uprightness is in itself very safe, free of danger, tending to no mischief. 6. The way of uprightness is fair and pleasant. 7. He that walketh uprightly is secure as to his honour and credit. By pure integrity, a man first maintaineth a due respect and esteem unto himself, then preserveth an entire reputation with others. 8. The particular methods of acting which uprightness disposeth to observe do yield great security from troubles and crosses in their transactions. 9. An upright waller hath perfect security as to the final result of affairs, that he shall not be quite baffled in his expectations and desires. 10. It is an infinite advantage of upright dealing that at the last issue, when all things shall be most accurately tried and impartially decided, a man is assured to be fully justified in it, and plentifully rewarded for it. Upright simplicity is the deepest wisdom, and perverse craft the merest shallowness. He who is true and just to others is most faithful and friendly to himself, whoever doth abuse his neighbour is his own greatest foe. (I. Barrow, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.WEB: He who walks blamelessly walks surely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out. |
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