Miserable End of Wicked Men.
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Mark the wicked man; though his entrance into the world may be joyful—yet his exit is always tragic. Belshazzar in his festive scene is reveling out his time in sin and pleasure, feasting and carousing with his concubines with the vessels of the Lord; but view him in the catastrophe, and you will see the hand-writing, and him trembling; Darius rending away his kingdom, and death snatching away his life!
Look at the entrance of a wicked man! his gates are riches, his seats honor, his paths pleasures; he fares sumptuously every day, and has more than heart can wish. But wait his departure, and you will see a sad conclusion; in a moment he goes down to hell. The man is cast out from God as an everlasting curse! Destruction closes her mouth upon him, and his place beholds him no more! His body is laid in the dust, his soul buried in the flames, and his name covered with darkness.
But now behold the godly man! you may see a few tragic scenes: the world hating, mocking, and persecuting him; but the end of that man is peace. Though he may come forth weeping—yet he goes off rejoicing. Though he came forth combating—yet he goes out triumphing, so that the saints and angels clap their hands for joy. Therefore, when I judge of a happy man—I will wait for his end; I care not for his entrance.