Here, 1. We are directed in the true way to be happy, and that is to be
holy and honest. He that is faithful to God and man shall be blessed of
the Lord, and he shall abound with blessings of the upper and nether
springs. Men shall praise him, and pray for him, and be ready to do him
any kindness. He shall abound in doing good, and shall himself be a
blessing to the place where he lives. Usefulness shall be the reward of
faithfulness, and it is a good reward. 2. We are cautioned against a
false and deceitful way to happiness, and that is, right or wrong,
raising an estate suddenly. Say not, This is the way to abound with
blessings, for he that makes haste to be rich, more haste than good
speed, shall not be innocent; and, if he be not, he shall not be
blessed of God, but rather bring a curse upon what he has; nor, if he
be not innocent, can he long be easy to himself; he shall not be
accounted innocent by his neighbours, but shall have their ill will and
ill word. He does not say that he cannot be innocent, but there is all
the probability in the world that he will not prove so: He that hasteth
with his feet sinneth, stumbleth, falleth. Sed quæ reverentia legum,
quis metus, aut pudor, est unquam properantis avari?--What reverence
for law, what fear, what shame, was ever indicated by an avaricious man
hasting to be rich?