thoughts within him accusing or excusing, according as he lives — 'thoughts that will not be shut out — thoughts that can make even kings, like Herod, restless and afraid.
None ought to remember this so much as ministers and teachers. If they preach and teach Christ's truth, they may rest assured that their work is not in vain. Chil- dren may seem inattentive in schools. Hearers may seem careless in congregrations. But in both cases there is often far more going on in the conscience than our eyes see. Seeds often spring up and bear fruit, when the sower, like John the Baptist, is dead or gone.
We see, in the second place, how far people may go in religion, and yet miss salvation by yielding to one master- sin.
King Herod went further than many. He "feared John." He "knew that he was a just man and a holy." He " observed" him. He " heard him, and did many things" in consequence. He even " heard him gladly." But there was one thing Herod would not do. He would not cease from adultery. He would not give up Hero- dias. And so he ruined his soul for evermore.
Let us take warning from Herod's case. Let us keep back nothing — cleave to no favorite vice — spare nothing that stands between us and salvation. Let us often look within, and make sure that there is no darling lust or pet transgression, which, Herodias-like, is murdering our souls. Let us rather cut off the right hand, and pluck out the right eye, than go into hell-fire. Let us not be content with admiring favorite preachers, and gladly hearing evangelical sermons. Let us not rest till
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we can say with David, " I esteem all Thy command- ments concerning all things to be right, and I hate every false way." (Psalm cxix. 128.)
We see, in the third j)lace, how boldly a faithful minis- ter of God ought to rebuke sin. John the Baptist spoke plainly to Herod about the wickedness of his life. He did not excuse himself under the plea that it was impru- dent, or impolitic, or untimely, or useless to speak out. He did not say smooth things, and palliate the king's ungodliness by using soft words to describe his offence. He told his royal hearer the plain truth, regardless of all consequences — ■" It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife."
Here is a pattern that all ministers ought to follow. Publicly and privately, from the pulpit and in private visits, they ought to rebuke all open sin, and deliver a faithful warning to all who are living in it. It may give offence. It may entail immense unpopularity. With all this they have nothing to do. Duties are theirs. Results are God's.
No doubt it requires great grace and courage to do this. No doubt a reprover, like John the Baptist, must go to work wisely and lovingly in carrying out his Master's commission, and rebuking the wicked. But it is a matter in which his character for faithfulness and charity are manifestly at stake. If he believes a man is injuring his soul, he ought surely to tell him so. If he loves him truly and tenderly, he ought not to let him ruin himself unwarned. Great as the present offence may be, in the long run the faithful reprover will generally be respected. " He that rebuketh a man, afterwards shall find more