The Righteous and the Wicked.

Back to Divine Breathings!

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When I remember Job sitting on the ash-heap, John hungering in the wilderness, Peter hanging on the gibbet—then I think how severely will God punish those reprobates whom he loathes, if he dealt so with his children. If he does so to his intimate friends in the time of grace—what will he do to his enemies in the day of judgment! You therefore who deride the miseries of the saints—turn your ridicule into fear, for hell sparkles upon earth!

When I consider Herod in his pomp, Haman in his honour, Ahasuerus at his feast, etc.; then I think, if God drops so much into a vessel of wrath—what will he pour into a vessel of mercy! If God does so much for His enemies on earth—what will he do for his children in heaven! Therefore, you holy ones who may be jealous at the flourishing of the wicked—forget your envy, and see your glory! As the adversity of the saints shall therefore give me a glimpse of hell, so the prosperity of the wicked shall give me a glance of heaven!

How blessed the righteous when he dies!
When sinks a weary soul to rest, 
How mildly beam the closing eyes,
How gently heaves the expiring breast!

Life's duty done, as sinks the clay,
Light from its load the spirit flies;
While heaven and earth combine to say,
"How blessed the righteous when he dies!"

No peace the wicked never can know,
While hastening to their place below!
But trouble must with sin remain,
Sad earnest of eternal pain!