1. To pity those who are in ignorance of the truth of Christ —
to Rom. ix. 30—33. and x. 2, 3. <= Hos. iv. G. ^ Eph. ii. 12.
798.J DIVIN?; KfJOWLEDGE MOST DESIRABLE. 201
[You would surely pity your friends and relatives, if you saw them destitute of the common faculties of men : but, believe me, they are still greater objects of pity, if, possessing all the faculties of men, they are ignorant of the Gospel. In what an awful state are they who have no directory for their ways, no remedy for their sins, no support in their troubles, ho strength for their duties, and no hope in their end ! Yet is this, indeed, the condition of all who are ignorant of Christ. They may be endued with human wisdom, and may be placed on the highest pinnacle of human glory ; but yet a poor Lazarus, that is destitute of all that man values, is happier than they. Consider this, I pray you, and exert yourselves to the utmost
of your power for the bringing of their souls to God
and pity the heathen world, who are yet sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death. Pity also God's ancient people, who have yet a veil upon their hearts, and who still reject that Saviour whom their fathers crucified. Concur in all the methods that are used for the enlightening of this benighted world : and if you see, indeed, that " for immortal souls to be without knowledge is not good," address yourselves with all energy to the dispelling of the darkness that reigns throughout the world, and to the " turning of men universally from dark- ness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God."]
2. To improve the means of grace which are af- forded you —
[Permit me to say, that you have the light set before you, and " the whole counsel of God faithfully declared unto you." Do not then trifle with the opportunities which you enjoy. They are sent of God to "make you wise unto salvation ;" and, if they be disregarded, they will greatly augment both your guilt and condemnation. In truth, if you had not such in- structions, your guilt would be comparatively light, and your condemnation tolerable : but, with your advantages, your state will be worse than that of Sodom and Gomorrha, if you make not a suitable improvement of them. In attending on divine ordinances, learn to regard them as Bethesda's Pool, where, unless the waters be stirred, you will attend in vain ; and beg of God to accompany them with power from on high, and to give them a saving efficacy to your souls.]
3. To make a good use of the knowledge which
you possess —
[Be careful that you do not "hold the truth in unright- eousness." The servant who knew his Lord's will, and did it not, was beaten with more and heavier stx'ipes than he who erred through ignorance. And you may be sure, that if the Lord Jesus Christ will be revealed at last in flaming fire, to