now they so despise : and they shall find, to their cost, that " those who walk in pride he is able to abase V]
See then, from hence,
1. How great is the folly of ungodly men!
[Were a child to contend in battle with a man, who would not upbraid him for his folly and presumption in entering into so unequal a contest ? But what shall we say of those who set themselves in array against the Majesty of heaven ? Truly, a contest of briers and thorns against a devouring fire would not be more absurd. And this is the very comparison which is made by God himself: " Who would set briers and thorns against me in battle ? I would go through them, and burn them up together1." I pray you, Brethren, remember against whom it is that you fight. It is against Hhn, who by a word spake the universe into existence, and by a word could reduce it in an instant to absolute nonentity. Look at the fallen angels, and see the consequence of rebelling against God ! Look at the antediluvian world, and say, whether it be not an evil and bitter thing to sin against him, and to provoke his displeasure. Were it possible for you to withstand his power or to elude his search, you might have some excuse for casting off his light and easy yoke : but indeed you must, ere long, be summoned to his tribunal, and receive at his hands a doom which can never be reversed. And " will ye be strong hi the day that he shall deal with you, or will ye thunder with a voice like his?" I pray you, lay down the weapons of your rebellion without delay, and implore mercy at the Saviour's hands, whilst yet " the day of salvation lasts, and the accepted time is continued to you."]
2. How greatly are they to be pitied!
[See how secure they are in their own apprehensions, and how confidently they expect a successful termination of their conflicts! Unhappy men! Methinks I see you in the agonies of death, and behold you at the instant of your entrance into the presence of your God. Oh! could we but conceive your terrors, and hear your cries, and witness your unavailing lamen- tations, how should we pity you! Could we further behold the triumphant exultations of that cruel fiend, who was once your tempter, and will then be your tormentor to all eternity, how should we weep over you ! And lastly, if we could behold you suffering the vengeance of eternal fire, under the wrath of Almighty God, methinks it would be too much for us to endure : the very sight would overwhelm us, even though we had no fears for ourselves. Verily, it was with good reason that
h Dan. iv. 37- ' Isai. xxvii. 4.