Let us learn then from hence the issue,
1. Of the world's impieties —
[God beareth long with sinners; and because his judgments against their evil works are not executed speedily, their hearts are the more fully, and more securely, set in them to do evil. But " God is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness." He has fixed a period beyond which his forbearance shall be exercised no longer : and then the most secure shall be visited, and the most powerful brought down. " Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be un- punished." O that the secure and thoughtless would reflect on this, ere it be too late ! Hostility to Jesus and his people, whatever men may imagine, can never terminate, but in the destruction of those who indulge it. Beware then, Brethren, of hardening yourselves against God : for " who ever hardened himself against him and prospered?" His hand will surely find out all his enemies ; and every refuge of lies shall be swept away with the besom of destruction.]
2. Of the saint's conflicts —
[Victory may in some cases be long held in suspense : and the most courageous veteran may need peculiar comforts from above. But the weakest shall triumph in due time ; and be made " more than conquerors through Him that loved them." We readily grant, that, as the Israelites had to contend with " nations that were greater and mightier than they," so it is with us : but the issue of our conflicts shall be like theirs also. It is said on different occasions, that "God delivered their ene- mies into their hands ;" and from thence the victory became certain. The same promise has he made to us ; and it shall be fulfilled to every one of us in its season. Let not any then give way to unnecessary alarms. Appearances may be awful and alarming : but our consolation is, that " greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world:" and, if at any time we be tempted to say, " O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me ? " let us instantly reply with the holy Apostle, " I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord ! "]