Essex Congregational Remembrancer Isaiah 57:21 There is no peace, said my God, to the wicked. I. WHO ARE THE CHARACTERS DESCRIBED? "The wicked." This description includes the outwardly immoral and profane — those who seem lost to every principle of virtue and religion — who have not the fear of God before their eyes — and who are equally indifferent to the censure and approbation of their fellow-creatures. But the words of the text are applicable to all those whose hearts have not been renewed by the Holy Spirit. II. THE AFFECTING DECLARATION RESPECTING SUCH CHARACTERS. "There is no peace," etc. 1. They cannot, while in this state, enjoy peace with God. Peace includes in it mutual reconciliation and agreement. 2. The wicked cannot enjoy peace with themselves. As the favour and presence of God are the only sources of real happiness, a state of enmity and separation from Him must be attended with misery. Subjection to His authority, and conformity to His will and image, promotes peace and order, but where these do not exist, there must be confusion and discord. The unruly passions will then agitate and distress the mind; pride, and envy, and hatred, and other unholy affections will struggle for the ascendency. Having no principle to check or govern them, they will increase in violence and hurry their possessor onward in the path of sin and danger. Conscience will also exert its influence to alarm and terrify them. In vain do the wicked seek peace of conscience by partial reformation or by the performance of outward duties. The accusations of a guilty conscience can be silenced only by an application to the blood of sprinkling. 3. There is no peace to the wicked in the world. Alienation from God necessarily leads to strife among men. It excites those corrupt passions and principles which render man the enemy of his fellow-man, as well as the source of misery to himself. 4. The wicked have no peace under the various afflictions of life. In the season of worldly prosperity, they may appear to others peaceful and happy, but no sooner does adversity come upon them, than we see the transient and unsubstantial nature of their enjoyment. 5. There is no peace to the wicked in the hour of death. 6. There is no peace to the wicked through eternity. (Essex Congregational Remembrancer.) Parallel Verses KJV: There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. |
    |