Numbers 23:10 Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous… I. THE RIGHTEOUS DIE, AND IN THE SAME MANNER OUTWARDLY AS THE WICKED DO. For Christ, in His first coming, came not to redeem our bodies from death, but our souls from damnation. His second coming shall be to redeem our bodies from corruption into a "glorious liberty." Therefore wise men die as well as fools. Use 1. It should enforce this excellent duty, that considering we have no long continuance here, therefore, while we are here, to do that wherefore we come into the world. Use 2. And let it enforce moderation to all earthly things. II. THE ESTATE OF THE SOUL CONTINUES AFTER DEATH. For here he wisheth to die the death of the righteous, not for any excellency in death, but in regard of the continuance of the soul after death. Reason 1. And it discovers, indeed, that it hath a distinct life and excellency in itself, by reason that it thwarts the desires of the beady when it is in the body. Reason 2. And we see ofttimes, when the outward man is weak, as in sickness, &c., then the understanding, will, and affections, the inward man, is most sublime, and rapt unto heaven, and is most wise. III. THERE IS A WIDE, BROAD DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DEATH OF THE GODLY AND OF THE WICKED. In their death they are — 1. Happy in their disposition. What is the disposition of a holy man at his end? His disposition is by faith to give himself to God, by which faith he dies in obedience; he carries himself fruitfully and comfortably in his end. And ofttimes the nearer he is to happiness, the more he lays about him to be fruitful. 2. Besides his disposition, he is happy in condition; for death is a sweet close. God and he meet; grace and glory meet; he is in heaven, as it were, before his time. What is death to him? The end of all misery, of all sin of body and soul. It is the beginning of all true happiness in both. 3. And blessed after death especially; for then we know they are in heaven, waiting for the resurrection of the body. There is a blessed change of all; for after death we have a better place, better company, better employment; all is for the better. IV. EVEN A WICKED MAN, A WRETCHED WORLDLING, MAY SEE THIS; HE MAY KNOW THIS HAPPINESS OF GOD'S PEOPLE IN DEATH, and for ever, and yet notwithstanding may continue a cursed wretch. Use 1. Seeing this is so, it should teach us that we refuse not all that ill men say; they may have good apprehensions, and give good counsel. Use 2. It should stir us up to go beyond wicked men. Shall we not go so far as those go that shall never come to heaven? Let us therefore consider a little wherein the difference of these desires is, the desires that a Balaam may have, and the desires of a sound Christian, wherein the desires of a wicked man are failing. (1) These desires, first of all, they were but flashes: for we never read that he had them long. These enlightenings are not constant. (2) Again, this desire of this wretched man, it was not from an inward principle, an inward taste that he had of the good estate of God's children, but from an objective admiration of somewhat that was offered to his conceit by the Holy Ghost at this time. (3) Again, in the third place, this desire of the happiness of the estate of God's children, it was not working and operative, but an uneffectual desire. (4) Where desires are in truth, the party that cherisheth those desires will be willing to have all help from others to have his desire accomplished. (5) Again, true desires of grace, they are growing desires. Though they be little in the beginning, as springs are, yet as the springs grow, so do the waters that come from them. So these desires, they grow more and more still. The desires of a blessed soul, they are never satisfied till it come to heaven. (6) And then they are desires that will not be stilled. Desires, I confess, are the best character to know a Christian; for works may be hypocritical, desires are natural. Therefore we ought to consider our desires, what they are, whether true or no; for the first thing that issues: from the soul are desires and thoughts. Thoughts stir up desires. This inward immediate stirring of the soul discovers the truth of the soul better than outward things. (7) Whether we desire holiness, and the restoration of the image of God, the new creature, and to have victory against our corruptions. Balaam desired happiness, but he desired not the image of God upon his soul; for then he would not have been carried with a covetous devil against all means. No; his desire was after a glimpse of God's children's glory only. A wicked man can never desire to be in heaven as he should be; for how should he desire to be in heaven? to be freed from sin, that he may praise God and love God; that there may be no combat between the flesh and the spirit. Can he wish this? No. His happiness is as a swine to wallow in the mire, and he desires to enjoy sensible delights. ( R. Sibbes, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his! |
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