is not the dispersion of the Jews at this clay a proof, that no word of God shall ever fall to the ground? Sec his threaten- ings against the whole world — Did not the deluge come according to the prediction, and sweep away every living creature (those only excepted that were in the ark) from the face of the earth ? Let us be sure that God is true : and that whatever He has spoken shall surely come to pass.]
2. He will fulfil them in the extent that is here declared —
[Death temporal, spiritual, and eternal were included in the sentence denounced against transgression: and on our first parents it came, the very day that they ate of the for- bidden tree. They did not, it is true, cease on that day to live, because God had purposes to serve by their continuance in life : but the seeds of death were that day implanted in their constitution ; and in due time they returned to their native dust. That they died at that very moment a spiritual death, is evident from their conduct : for they foolishly hoped to hide themselves among the trees of the garden from the eyes of the omniscient God ; and offered vain excuses for their transgression, instead of humbling themselves for it before God. To eternal death also they were subjected ; and to it they would have been consigned, had not God, of his infinite mercy, provided a way of deliverance from it, through that seed of the woman, who was in due time to bruise the serpent's head. If it be doubted whether God will execute so heavy a judgment on the sinners of mankind, I hesitate not to declare, that he most assuredly will ; since he has himself declared it in terms that admit of no reasonable doubt b — and " he is not a man that he will He, nor the son of man that he will repent."
But since so many are deceived by this suggestion, I will endeavour to shew, more distinctly,
II. The danger of listening to it —
The effect of this sad delusion is visible in all around us. It is entirely owing to this that Satan retains so many in bondage, and leads them captive at his will.
1. Hence it is that men make so light of sin —
[Whence is it, I would ask, that men are drawn aside by
every temptation, and that for a momentary gratification they
will offend their God? Is it not from a secret persuasion,
that God will not fulfil his threatenings, and that they may
b See Matt. xxv. 46. the Greek — and Mark ix. 43 — 48. — and Rev. xiv. 10, 11.