The difference between the godly and the ungodly

(James Meikle, "The Traveler" June 14, 1758)  LISTEN to audio!  Download audio

(You will find it helpful to listen to the audio above, as you read the text below.)

There is a wide difference in both principle and practice, between the the godly and the ungodly.

The affections of the godly are spiritually refined-and their desires are exalted.
The inclinations of the ungodly are corrupt-and their desires are groveling.

Sin has but a tottering standing, and a momentary abode-in the godly.
But sin has fixed its throne, and taken up its eternal residence-in the ungodly.

In the godly, grace and sin struggle for sovereignty.
In the ungodly, sin domineers and there is no struggle.

The godly is deeply concerned about the world to come.
The ungodly has no concern about eternal realities.

The speech of the godly is seasoned with grace.
The discourse of the ungodly is insipid and vain.

The godly has his hope fixed on God.
The ungodly has no fear of God before his eyes.

The godly use the world without abusing it.
The ungodly, in using the world, abuse both themselves and it.

The godly sees God in his daily life, and rejoices in Him with his whole heart.
The ungodly says in his practice: "There is no God!" and wishes in his heart that there were no God.

The godly adores the Creator above all else.
The ungodly worships the creature more than the Creator.

The godly uses God's name with profoundest reverence, and departs from iniquity.
The ungodly profanes God's name with impudence, and adds iniquity to sin.

The godly redeems his time.
The ungodly trifles away his time.

The godly studies his duty in obedience to all God's precepts.
The ungodly shakes himself loose from every command of God.

The godly forgives his foes.
The ungodly lays a snare for his foes.

The godly commits it to God to avenge wrongs done to him.
The ungodly, fiery and tumultuous-seeks revenge.

The godly loves purity in all things.
The ungodly wallows in impurity.

The godly is content with his condition.
The ungodly covets all the day long.

The godly is pure in heart.
The heart of the ungodly is like a cage full of unclean beasts.

The godly walks at liberty in the ways of God.
The ungodly is the servant and slave of sin.

The Holy Spirit rules in the heart of the godly.
Satan rules in the heart of the ungodly.

The godly has his citizenship in Heaven.
The ungodly has his citizenship in Hell.

As there is such a wide difference in their principles and practices-so also, in their eternal destinies.
God is faithful-He has promised felicity to the pious, and threatened vengeance to the wicked.
"The wicked is thrust out in his wickedness; but the righteous has hope in his death." Proverbs 14:32

The godly are under the blessing of God's love.
The ungodly are under the curse of God's justice.

The godly with joy, draw water out of the wells of salvation.
The ungodly shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.

To the godly, pertain all the exceeding great and precious promises.
To the ungodly, pertain all the threatenings of God.

Heaven shall be the palace of the godly!
Hell shall be the prison of the ungodly!

While the godly shall dwell through eternity with God,
the ungodly shall be driven away into everlasting darkness!

Thus, the righteous and wicked are separated in their life, and divided in their death.
They are divided . . .
  in their principles,
  in their practices,
  in their choices,
  in their joys,
  in their thoughts,
  in their company,
  in their speech,
  in their fears,
  in their expectations,
  in their death, and
  through eternity itself!