Prov. xxix. 18. Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the Laiv, happy is he^.
THROUGHOUT the whole Scriptures, we have one unvaried testimony respecting man. We see, in every part,
I. The deplorable state of those who know not the Gospel — Revelations to the prophets were often made in visions: and hence the subject-matter of the revelation
a This brief sketch is given as an useful subject for a Mission Sermon. The contrast between Heathens in an ignorant and in a converted state would be very striking.
was called their " vision." Now, where no revelation is, or where, though given, it is not attended to, " the people perish" —
[This is the unhappy state of the heathen ivorld, who are constantly i-epresented as dead in trespasses and sins, and as
under the dominion of Satan*" — Still more is this the
state of God's ancient people, whilst they reject the Messiah*^
But far worse is the state of those who hear^ without
oheijing, the Gospel ^ ]
II. The hlessedness of those who hear and obey it — Our Lord pronounces them supremely blessed^. And there is somewhat very emphatical in the decla- ration of it contained in our text —
[Those who truly believe in Christ, and live altogether by faith on him, " are happy." They are so, as restored to
God''s favour^ ■ as enjoying his presence ^ as
inheriting his glory •' ]
Observe from hence —
1. The importance of missionary exertions'
2. The importance of improving our present privi- leges—
[On the due improvement of them depends both our present^ and eternal happiness ]
i" Eph. ii, 1, 2, 11— 13. Rom. iii. 19. 1 John v. 19. We have no authority to depart from the plain declarations of Holy Writ.
<= Isai. xxvii. 11. Hos. iv. 6. John viii. 24.
1 John XV. 22. 2 Cor. iv. 3, 4. 2 Thess.'i. 7, 8. Heb. ii. 3. 1 Pet. iv. 17.
^ liuke xi. 28. f Rom, v. 1. s Ps. Ixxxix. 5.
^ Rev. xxii. 14. » Rom. x. 13 — 15, 17.
^ Mark the latter clause of the text.