A NATIONÂ’S TRUE GLORY

The wisest prince that ever sat on a throne has told us that righteousness exalts a nation (Prov. 14.34). It is not valour in war, but righteousness; it is not policy in government, but righteousness;
it is not wittiness of invention, but righteousness; it is not civility in behaviour, but righteousness; it is not largeness of dominion, but righteousness; nor is it greatness of command, but RIGHTEOUSNESS that is the honour and the safety, that is the renown and security of a nation.

The nation that exalts righteousness, that nation shall certainly be exalted by righteousness. It is not Ahithophel’s policy; it is not Jeroboam’s calves in Dan and Bethel; it is not Jehu’s pompous zeal;
it is not Goliath’s sword; it is not rich mines of gold and silver, nor armaments, nor armies, nor counsels, nor fleets nor forts; but justice and righteousness, that exalts a nation, and that will make a mean people to become a great, a glorious, and a famous people in the world. The world is a ring, and righteousness is the diamond in that ring; the world is a body, and righteousness and justice is the soul of that body.

Thomas Brooks, 1662