The Wisdom of Religion Justified in the Different Ends of Good and Bad Men
Proverbs 14:32
The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous has hope in his death.


For the most part, the end of good men is full of peace and comfort, and good hopes of their future condition; but the end of bad men quite contrary, full of anguish and trouble, without peace or comfort, or hope of any good to befall them afterwards. If this be generally true, it is a mighty testimony on the behalf of piety and virtue. It is as good as a demonstration that the religious man is in the right.

I. THIS OBSERVATION IS GENERALLY TRUE. It is enough to appeal to the common and daily experience of mankind (Psalm 37:37). When good men come to die, they have commonly a great calm and serenity in their minds, and are full of good hopes of God's mercy and favour. But there are exceptions, both to the peace of the righteous and to the misery of the wicked, in death. Some good men are melancholy and dispirited. They may be naturally of a dark temper. The quiet death of a bad man may be explained by disease; or stupidity, through ignorance or gross sensuality; or the delusion of false principles.

II. WHENCE DOES THIS DIFFERENCE PROCEED? It is founded in the true nature and reason of the things themselves; in the nature of religion and virtue, and of impiety and vice.

1. A religious and virtuous life is a real ground of peace and serenity of mind, of comfort and joy, under all the evils and calamities of life, and especially at the hour of death.

2. Impiety and wickedness is a real foundation of guilt and fear, of horror and despair, in the day of adversity and affliction, and more especially in the approaches of death.

II. IF THIS BE TRUE, IT IS A DEMONSTRATION ON THE SIDE OF RELIGION. Upon three accounts.

1. Because the principles of religion, and the practice of them in a virtuous life, when they come to the last and utmost trial, do hold out, and are a firm and unshaken foundation of peace and comfort to us.

2. That they minister comfort to us in the most needful and desirable time.

3. That when men are commonly more serious and sober and impartial, and when their declarations and words are thought to be of greater weight and credit, they give this testimony to religion and virtue, and against impiety and vice.

(J. Tillotson, D.D.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

WEB: The wicked is brought down in his calamity, but in death, the righteous has a refuge.




The Two Departures
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