ness ! O, if they could but have another opportunity afforded them, how gladly would they embrace it ! how resolutely would they obey the voice of God ! they would no more pre- sumptuously prefer their own will and way to his, but would obey him cheerfully and without reserve. But in vain are all such desires : their sentence is irrevocably passed : and all possibility of attaining the heavenly inheritance is gone for ever. Nothing now remains for them but to " weep and wail and gnash their teeth " for anguish, and to die that death, that second death, which they were not careful to avoid.]
The subject will give me a fit occasion to address,
1. Those who are afraid of presumption —
[Many there are who dread presumption, and who, through a fear of it, are deterred from applying to themselves the rich consolations of the Gospel : they think it would be presump- tuous in such weak and sinful creatures as they to expect all the
great things which God has promised to his people
But, be it known unto you that it is no presumption to believe in God, or trust in God, even though you were the weakest and the vilest of the human race. If indeed you were to pro- fess a confidence in him, whilst you were living in wilful and allowed sin, that would be presumption : but, if you truly desire to devote yourselves to God, and to be saved by him in his appointed way, the deeper sense you have of your own un- worthiness, the more assuredly shall you receive from him all the blessings of a complete salvation ]
2. Those who indulge presumption —
[Of those who determinately go on in their own way, we have already spoken : and therefore we shall pass them over with only entreating them to remember what they have already heard to be the issue of such conduct. But there are even amongst those who profess religion, many who are guilty of very great presumption. What is it but presumption, to run into needless temptations, in hopes that God will keep us ? O that the worldly- minded would consider this, when they are grasping after preferment or gain ! O that they would consider it, who mix so readily with carnal company, and conform so easily to the maxims and habits of a vain world ! O that the impure and sen- sual would consider it, when they give such liberty to their eyes and tongue ! Beloved Brethren, we must not tempt God : but, retaining a sense of our extreme weakness and sinfulness, we must watch and pray that we enter not into temptation. Let this then be our daily prayer, " Keep thy servant, O Lord, from presumptuous sins, lest they get dominion over me :" and " Preserve me blameless unto thy heavenly kingdom :" " Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe."]