Exod. ix. 20, 21. He that feared the ivord of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh, made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses : and he that regarded not the word of the Lord, left his servants and his cattle in the field.
THE word of God in every age has met with a very different reception from different people : from the antediluvian scoffers to the present moment, the generality have deemed it unworthy of their attention,
72.1 DANGER OF DISREGARDING GOD's WORD. 359
while a few have regarded it with reverence and godly fear. Never had any declaration a better title to belief than that to which the text alludes : Moses had already, in the space of a few days, foretold many judgments, which were instantly inflicted or removed according to his predictions ; and since they had not been effectual to subdue the stubborn heart of Pha- raoh, he announced the determination of God to send another judgment on the land of Egypt, even a storm of hail and lightning, which should destroy every man and beast that should be exposed to its fury. There were many however who despised the threatening, and disdained to send their servants and cattle to a place of shelter ; but others, who had profited by past experience, used with eagerness the precaution suggested to them —
From this circumstance we are led to shew,
I. How a regard for God's word will influence men here — In all temporal concerns men are affected by any report in proportion to its credibility and importance —
[If they hear of any great good that is placed within their reach, they feel a desire after it springing up in their minds : if there be some considerable probability of their attaining it, their hopes are excited, and their endeavours multiplied in order to secure it. If the possession of it appear near and certain, they already congratulate themselves on the expected acquisition, though not without a mixture of anxious suspense. On the other hand, do they hear of any great evil that may come upon them? they begin to be disquieted: does it approach nearer and nearer? they think how they may avoid it, and use every precaution that prudence can suggest : does it appear imminent and almost unavoidable ? their fears and anxieties are proportionably increased. Nor are these effects peculiar to any times, places, or persons : they will be found on exami- nation to be invariable and universal.]
Thus it must also of necessity be with respect to men's spiritual concerns, in proportion as what God has spoken concerning them is believed and felt —
[Suppose a person to be thoroughly persuaded that, " except he repent he must eternally perish ;" that, " except he be bom again of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the king- dom of heaven;" and that, " he that hath the Son hath lite,