but to the humble and contrite soul, that relies on his pro- mises in Christ Jesus, there is not a syllable throughout all the inspired volume that leads to discouragement : grace, mercy, and peace are held forth to all of this character. These, though but in an infantine state, are God's "saints and people;" and for them are prepared " a peace that passeth all under- standing," and " a joy that is unspeakable and glorified. " Shall such tidings, then, be announced, and the trembling soul not listen to them ? If there were nothing but precepts pro- claimed, they should be listened to with the most reverent attention : but, when nothing but the voice of love and mercy sounds in our ears, it must be strange indeed if we do not hear it with the devoutest gratitude, and treasure it up in our minds as a source of the richest consolation.]
With this attention, however, must be blended a regard to,
III. The ultimate scope and object of all his gra- cious declarations —
[Sin, under what circumstances soever it be committed, is " folly" in the extreme : and to turn us from that folly is the true end of all that God has done for us. " Our Lord Jesus Christ gave himself for us, to deliver us from this present evil world, and to purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works*." To him, therefore, we must cleave in a way of holiness, never for a moment turning back to our evil ways, or even so much as " looking back after having once put our hands to the plough g." For, whatever we may have experi- enced, it will all cease to be of any value in the sight of God the very instant we depart from his holy ways h : yea, it will be " better never to have known the way of righteousness at all, than after having known it, to depart from it1." It is " by patient continuance in well-doing that we must seek for eter- nal life k ;" and only by enduring to the end, can we ever attain the promised salvation *.]
Let me, then, address — 1. The inattentive hearer — [God speaks in his word : but the generality of the world, though within reach of the sound, hear him not : " They have no ears to hear." But let me ask, Will you be always able to shut your ears against his voice ? Will you not hear him when he shall summon both the quick and dead to his tribu- nal ? Will you be deaf to his voice when he shall pronounce upon you that awful doom, " Depart accursed into everlasting
f Tit. ii. 14. e Luke ix. 62. h Ezek. xxxiii. 18.
1 2 Pet. ii. 21. k Rom. ii. 7. l Mark xiii. 13.
god's PERFECTIONS RECONCILED IN CHRIST. 83
643.]
fire prepared for the devil and his angels?" If, then, you must listen to him in that day, would it not be wise to regard him now ? Be assured the day will come when you will regret that presumptuous indifference which now you manifest ; and when, if you turn not to him in sincerity and truth, you will "call upon the rocks and mountains in vain to hide you from his wrath."]
2. The backsliding professor —
[What have you gained by returning to the world ? Nay, have you not lost the peace which you once enjoyed ? You may pretend to possess a quiet mind ; but you do not : or, if you do, it is only by drowning the voice of conscience, and silencing its remonstrances. Compare the penitential sorrows which you once felt, with the liveliest joys that you now expe- rience ; and then say, whether you were not really happier when weeping for your sins, than you now are when launching into either the cares or pleasures of the world ? I well know the answer you must give, if you will speak truly ; and there- fore you, of all men, are constrained to acknowledge the folly of sin. " Remember, then, whence you have fallen, and repent ; and do your first works m." But if you will not repent and turn to God, then prepare to meet him in judgment, and to receive at his hands the just recompence of your deeds.]