builded ; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all ; even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of Man shall be revealed k:" and let me ask whether it is not so at this day? We are attending to our temporal concerns, our cares and pleasures, with avidity : but notwithstanding we are warned continually of our guilt and danger, how backward are we to flee from the wrath to come ! Know ye then that the wrath of God is about to be poured out upon you : and that if ye flee not with all earnestness to the Lord Jesus Christ, ye must inevitably and eternally perish. Perhaps in warning you thus we appear " as persons who mock1," or, at best, as needlessly harsh and severe : but we affirm, that what we speak will soon be found true ; and that in discharging our duty thus, we per- form an office worthy of an angel. We believe God's denun- ciations, and therefore we speak : and if we should " speak smooth things to you, and prophesy deceits," we should prove your bitterest enemies. In this urgent matter, concealment is treachery, and fidelity is love. Arise then, every one of you ; and " escape for your lives."]
2. Those who are lingering, and deferring their flight—
[Many, we doubt not, are convinced of the necessity of taking refuge in Christ, yet are so immersed in worldly cares or pleasures that they know not how to commence their hea- venly course. They think that a more convenient season will present itself; and that they shall carry their purposes into effect before the day of vengeance shall arrive. But how many have grown grey with age, while their convictions have led to nothing but abortive wishes and ineffectual resolutions ! And how many have been overtaken with the storm, while they were thinking and intending to escape from it ! There are indeed many, who have come out of Sodom so as no longer to participate in its grosser abominations ; and are, in profession at least, advancing to the place of refuge ; while yet in their hearts they are attached to the things that they have renounced. To such persons we would say, with our blessed Lord, " Re- member Lot's wifem." She looked back, while she was fol- lowing her husband's steps. We inquire not what her motives were ; it is sufficient, she looked back ; and for that she was struck dead upon the spot ; for that she was made a monu- ment to all future ages, to assure us, that if our heart be in Sodom, we shall perish like Sodom : whatever be our pro- fessions, or whatever our progress, if our heart be not right with God, " we shall take our portion in the lake of fire and
k Luke xvii. 28 — 30. ' ver. 14. m Luke xvii. 32.