Prosperity of the Wicked.
WHY should I fret myself at the prosperity of the wicked? Indeed, when I looked upon the spreading bay tree, and forgot the withering herb; when I viewed their quails, and forgot their curse, my feet had almost slipped; but since I went into the sanctuary of God, I find that all the blossoms of their glory must disflourish under the blastings of God's wrath; and all their eternal felicity doth but only perfect the judgments of the Lord, and fill up the measure of their misery; for what is their pleasure, but just like the deceitful salute of Joab with Amasa? What is their honor, but like Absalom's mule? It only mounts, and carries them to the gallows. What are their riches, but like Jael's present in a lordly dish? It only makes way for the fatal nail, for their sad account at the day of judgment. This their prosperity slays them. Now, who esteems that ox happy, that hath a goodly pasture to feed himself for the slaughter? Who envies that malefactor that hath a fair day to ride to execution in? And why is it that the workers of iniquity flourish? Is it not that they may be destroyed forever? And the larger their pasture, the sooner they are fitted for the slaughter. I therefore for my part, when I see a sinner prosper in his wickedness, will turn the flame of envy into a tear of pity.