“Peccatores persequitur malum, et justis retribuentur bona.”
“Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.”
“Disaster pursues sinners, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.”
“Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous.”
“Evil pursueth sinners; But the righteous shall be recompensed with good.”
Here is, 1. The comfort of good men flourishing and lasting: The light of the righteous rejoices, that is, it increases, and makes them glad. Even their outward prosperity is their joy, and much more those gifts, graces, and comforts, with which their souls are illuminated; these shine more and more, ch. 4 18. The Spirit is their light, and he gives them a fulness of joy, and rejoices to do them good. 2. The comfort of bad men withering and dying: The lamp of the wicked burns dimly and faint; it looks melancholy, like a taper in an urn, and it will shortly be put out in utter darkness, Isa 50 11. The light of the righteous is as that of the sun, which may be eclipsed and clouded, but will continue; that of the wicked is as a lamp of their own kindling, which will presently go out and is easily put out.
“If thou do well, shalt thou not receive? but if ill, shall not sin forthwith be present at the door? but the lust thereof shall be under thee, and thou shalt have dominion over it.”