Homilist Isaiah 57:1-2 The righteous perishes, and no man lays it to heart: and merciful men are taken away… I. THEIR DEATH IS THE PERISHING OF THE BODY. — 1. Why, then, pamper the body? 2. Why centre interests on the wants and enjoyments of the body? II. THEIR DEATH IS GENERALLY DISREGARDED BY MANKIND. How soon the best of men are forgotten. There are two reasons for disregarding the death of the good. 1. The thought of death is repugnant to the heart. 2. The concerns of life are all-absorbing. III. THEIR DEATH IS A DELIVERANCE FROM ALL THE EVILS THAT ARE COMING ON THE WORLD. "Taken away from the evil to come." IV. THEIR DEATH IS A STEP INTO A HIGHER LIFE. "He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds." 1. The death of the good as to the body is only sleep — natural, refreshing, temporary. 2. Their souls march on. " Each one walking in his uprightness." Endless progress. " It doth not yet appear what we shall be." (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. |
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