as the best things. Worldly men have only some floating thoughts of the things of God, while their
fixed thoughts, their inward thoughts, are about the world; that lies nearest the heart. But with all
their wealth they cannot save the life of the dearest friend they have. This looks further, to the
eternal redemption to be wrought out by the Messiah. The redemption of the soul shall cost very
dear; but, being once wrought, it shall never need to be repeated. And he, the Redeemer, shall rise
again before he sees corruption, and then shall live for evermore, Re 1:18. This likewise shows the
folly of worldly people, who sell their souls for that which will never buy them. With all their
wealth they cannot secure themselves from the stroke of death. Yet one generation after another
applaud their maxims; and the character of a fool, as drawn by heavenly Wisdom itself, Lu 12:16–21,
continues to be followed even among professed Christians. Death will ask the proud sinner, Where
is thy wealth, thy pomp? And in the morning of the resurrection, when all that sleep in the dust
shall awake, the upright shall be advanced to the highest honour, when the wicked shall be filled
with everlasting shame and contempt, Da 12:2. Let us now judge of things as they will appear in
that day. The beauty of holiness is that alone which the grave cannot touch, or damage.
Verses 15–20
Believers should not fear death. The distinction of men's outward conditions, how great soever
in life, makes none at death; but the difference of men's spiritual states, though in this life it may
seem of small account, yet at and after death is very great. The soul is often put for the life. The
God of life, who was its Creator at first, can and will be its Redeemer at last. It includes the salvation
of the soul from eternal ruin. Believers will be under strong temptation to envy the prosperity of
sinners. Men will praise thee, and cry thee up, as having done well for thyself in raising an estate
and family. But what will it avail to be approved of men, if God condemn us? Those that are rich
in the graces and comforts of the Spirit, have something of which death cannot strip them, nay,
which death will improve; but as for worldly possessions, as we brought nothing into the world,
so it is certain that we shall carry nothing out; we must leave all to others. The sum of the whole
matter is, that it can profit a man nothing to gain the whole world, to become possessed of all its
wealth and all its power, if he lose his own soul, and is cast away for want of that holy and heavenly
wisdom which distinguishes man from the brutes, in his life and at his death. And are there men
who can prefer the lot of the rich sinner to that of poor Lazarus, in life and death, and to eternity?
Assuredly there are. What need then we have of the teaching of the Holy Ghost; when, with all our
boasted powers, we are prone to such folly in the most important of all concerns!
Chapter 50
Chapter Outline
The glory of God. (1–6)
Sacrifices to be changed for prayers. (7–15)
Sincere obedience required. (16–23)