ungodly bear no resemblance : their root is fixed in the world : their fruit is no other than *' grapes of Sodom and clusters of Gomorrah." But there is an appropriate comparison for them also ; " they are like the chaff which the wind driveth away." Truly, they are as light and worthless as chaff. No solid principle of piety is found in them ; nor is there any thing in their cha- racter which God approves. To a superficial observer they may appear like wheat : but the fan or sieve will soon discover how empty and unsubstantial they are : or, if they continue mixed with the wheat in this world, the separation will speedily and infallibly take place in the world to come. The Judge of quick and dead will come, even He, of whom it is said, " His fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather the wheat into his garner ; but the chaff he will burn with un- quenchable fire''." Amongst the wheat, not an atom of chaff will then be found ; nor amongst the chaff, one grain of wheat *^. This, divested of metaphor, is plainly declared in the psalm be- fore us ; " The ungodly shall stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous'^." Ah ! what an immense difference is here in the conditions of the two parties ! the one approved of their God, and made partakers of everlasting felicity j the other, abhorred of him, and plunged into everlasting per- dition*!]
Address,
1 . To young people — -
[To you it appears but a small matter whom you choose for your associates. But, if you consider how much we are influenced by the sentiments and examples of others, and what awful con- sequences will follow from the conduct we pursue, we shall see the necessity of selecting those only for our friends, who, we have reason to believe, are the friends of God. Let not then the rank, or talents of men, and still less their gaiety and dissipation, attract your regards ; but let the piety of their hearts, and the holiness of their lives, be their highest recommendation to your friendship. As our blessed Lord " was not of the world, so nei- ther must ye be :" but you must " come out from among them, and be separate," and choose for your companions " the ex- cellent of the earth, and such as excel in virtue^"]
2. To those who profess godliness —
[It is not by speculative notions that you are to judge of your state, but by your spirit, your temper, your whole conduct and conversation. '" The tree must Ije knovvn by its fruit." Now, as the ungodly form a perfect contrast with the godly, so let your spirit and conduct be a perfect contrast with theirs. Are
the
'' Matt. iii. 12. * Am. ix. Q. ^ ver. 5. * ver. 6.
•■frov. iv. 14, 15. Jam. iv. 4. 2 Cor. vi, 14—17.