SERMON XXIII. TRIUMPH OF THE RIGHTEOUS. Prov. xiv. 32. But the righteous hath hope in his death. BY THE REV. SAMUEL FISHER, Pastor of the Presbyterian Congregation at Morris-Town. NEW-JERSEY PREACHER. SERMON XXIII. Prov. xiv. 32.-But the righteous hath hope in his death. THE benevolence and compassion of our heavenly Parent are most illustriously displayed in his holy word.The precious truths which are there revealed, if cordially received by our fallen race, are eminently calculated to promote their temporal and eternal welfare.Has the pencil of inspiration drawn a striking portrait of the natural man? It is to teach us the horrors of that state into which we have plunged ourselves by sin. Is the wonderful plan of salvation, by Jesus Christ, unfolded in the scriptures? It is to induce men to seek an interest in his atoning sacrifice, that they may become partakers of that blessedness which he has purchased for all those who are his disciples indeed. Do the scriptures warn us of the fatal consequence of persisting in sin? It is to excite us to break off from sin, by repentance; and transgression, by turning to the Lord. Do they speak, in raptures, of that glory which shall be revealed in those who die in the Lord? It is to animate us, by the cheering prospect, to fight manfully the good fight of faith, that, in the end, we may lay hold on eternal life. To promote this benevolent object, was, undoubtedly, the design of the wise man, in the text. In a concise, though forcible manner, he brings up to our view, in this verse, both the righteous and the wicked, with regard to the prospect before them. To the char acter and destination of the wicked, I have attended in the preceeding discourse. Pursuing the plan of the wise man, I propose, now, to speak of the character and prospect of the righteous, that, if possible, some may be excited to walk in the ways of wisdom, whose ways are ways of pleasantness, and all whose paths are peace. In pursuing the subject, therefore, I propose, I. To speak of the character of the righteous. II. Point out the nature and objects of their hope. And, III. Shew the foundation on which their hope rests. "But the righteous hath hope in his death." First, then, I am to speak of the character of the righteous. Whoever examines with care the sacred scriptures, with a view to become acquainted with the truths which are there revealed, will undoubtedly perceive a line of discrimination, distinctly drawn, which divides the whole human race into two distinct classes. On the one side are those who remain in their natural state; while, on the other, are those who have been born of the Spirit of God. The latter are termed the righteous; the former, the wicked. By the righteous, therefore, in the text, we are to understand those who have been renewed in the temper of their minds. We are not to suppose, however, that this renovation of heart, by the Holy Ghost, takes place on account of any superior goodness perceivable in them before their regeneration; for we read in the word of God, that "it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy." By nature the righteous are no better than others. In this respect," they are all gone out of the way; they are together become unprofitable; there is none that |