[Can any one, it may be asked, love death ? We answer, No; not for its oivn sake ; but, as connected with sin, he may. There is an inseparable connexion between life and holiness on the one hand, and sin and death on the other. Could sin and heaven be allied, and enjoyed together, doubtless every sinner would prefer it. But that is impossible. A specific and unalterable option is given us : and every man is perfectly free to choose the one and refuse the other, to adhere to the one and renounce the other. The sinner determines for himself; cvnd by his determination declares his preference : he practically says, " If I cannot have the gratifications of sin without death, welcome death, welcome damnation ; for sin I will have, what- ever be the consequence^." Now can one reflect a moment on such a choice as this, and not stand amazed at the folly that determines it ? Will it bear an arsfument ? Are not the excuses with which it is veiled, mere vain and empty delusions? And does not every one see the folly of them, the very moment he sets himself to serious consideration ? Yet this is the conduct which men call wisdom ; but which, if it obtained in relation to worldly affairs, they would call downright madness.]
" Suffer now. Brethren, a word of exhortation," while I address myself, 1. To the despisers of true wisdom —
[Consider a little more attentively, what it is that you despise. The thing to which you are exhorted is, to seek acceptance with an offended God ; to embrace the salvation which he offers us in the Son of his love ; and to devote your- selves to him in a way of holy obedience Is there any
thing in this that merits hatred and contempt ? any thing that should make a man choose damnation rather than submit to it ? What if an ungodly world has agreed to call it folly ; is it therefore folly ? Has not God said, " The fear of the Lord, that is ivisdom ?" Is there a saint in heaven, or on earth, that does not account it wisdom ? Yea, is there a soul even in hell itself that is not now of the same mind ? We go further still, and ask. Whether they who most deride religion now, wiU not be convinced of its excellence the very moment that their soul is required of them ? " How long then, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?" " Turn you at my reproof," says God: " Oye simple, understand wisdom; and, ye fools, be of an under- standing heart''" Say not, " It is too soon for me to
seek the Lord." It is never too soon to be wise : and they who seek the Lord in their youth, have peculiar encouragement from
^ Mark strongly here God's own appeal, " Why ivill ye die ? Ezek. xxxiii. 11. compared with Acts xiii. 4G. and Prov. xv. 32. f Prov. i. 22, 23. and viii. 5.