workers of iniquity." Beligious profession, and formal knowledge of Christ will save none who have served sin and the world.
There is something pectiliavly striking in our Lord's language in this prophecy. It reveals to us the awfiil fact, that men may see what is right when it is too late for them to be saved. There is a time coming when many will repent too late, and believe too Late, — sorrow for sin too late, and begin to pray too late, — ^be anxious about salvation too late, and long for heaven too late. Myriads shall wake up in another world, and be con- vinced of truths which on earth they refused to believe. Earth is the only place in God's creation where there is any infidelity. Hell itself is nothing but truth known too late.
The recollection g£ this passage should help us to set a right estimate on things around us. Money, and pleasure, and rank, and greatness, occupy the first place now in the world. Praying, and believing, and holy living, and acquaintance with Christ, are despised, and ridiculed, and held very cheap. Sut there is a change coming one day ! The last shall be first, and the first last. For that change let us be prepared..
And now let us ask ourselves whether we a^e among the many or among the few P Do we know anything of striving and warring against sin, the world, and the devU P Are we ready for the Master's coming to shut the door P The man who can answer these questions satisfactorily is a true Christian.