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With a legal minuteness, and with a directness and plainness becoming to the teacher of practical morality, the prophet presents the alternative and antithesis of human life. If not in every particular, still in almost every particular, the picture of the good and of the bad man printed in this passage would be admitted by moralists of every school to be faithful and fair.

I. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE GOOD AND OF THE BAD MAN. As the classes are exclusive, each negativing the other, it is sufficient to name the characteristics of the good man, with the understanding that the bad man is he in whom these characteristics are wanting.

1. The good man is characterized by justice in dealing with his fellow men.

2. He refrains from idolatry of every kind.

3. He avoids adultery and every form of impurity.

4. He refrains from oppressing those who, for any reason, are within his power.

5. He abstains from violence in the treatment of others.

6. He is charitable to the poor and needy.

7. He forbears taking advantage of those who, by misfortune and poverty, are within his power.

8. He scrupulously and cheerfully obeys the Divine laws.

II. THE RECOMPENSE OF THE GOOD AND OF THE BAD MAN.

1. To the good is promised life, which is to be understood, not in the narrow and physical signification of the word, but in its large and scriptural sense.

2. Against the wicked is threatened death, which is to be interpreted as including the effects of God's righteous anger - a doom the most awful which can be pronounced and executed.

APPLICATION. The minister of religion may from this solemn passage learn the imperative duty of teaching morality. There must indeed be a foundation laid for such preaching in spiritual and evangelical doctrine; but the superstructure must not be neglected. The wise teacher, before entering into detail as to human character and conduct, will consider his audience, and the time and occasion; for all subjects are not to be treated before persons of every class, of every age, of both sexes. But he will find opportunities for stating and enforcing the precepts of the Law in the spirit and with the motives of the gospel. And the faithful minister will not shrink from depicting, though for the most part in careful and scriptural language, the penalties following upon disobedience to God's laws, as well as the rewards assured to the loyal and the good. It is true that those who are saved are saved by grace; but it is also true that all men, without exception, are judged by their works, and that God will bring every work into judgment, and every secret thing, whether it be good or bad. - T.

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KJV: But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,

WEB: But if a man is just, and does that which is lawful and right,