indeed it is, as a life of rebellion against him. It argues a total alienation of heart from him : it shews that we lived to please ourselves rather than him, and that we were in reality a god unto ourselves. He had told us plainly, "If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die :" but we would not believe it. He had told us, that " the broad road, in which the many are walking, leadeth to destruction ; and that the narrow way alone leadeth unto life :" but we would not be persuaded that such an awful declaration should ever be verified. Nevertheless so it will be found in the last day : and of this we may be perfectly assured: for it stands on the word of God, which is as immutable as God himself: " Know thou, that for all these things God will call thee into judgment."]
Address —
1. Those who seek their happiness in earthly things —
[Say not, You commit no gross sin, and therefore have no cause to fear. The question simply is. Do you walk after the way of your own heart ? If you do, it matters little what path you choose, whether it be that of open, or secret sin : you are equally living without God in the world, and are equally ob- noxious to his heavy displeasure. I mean not by this to say, that all sins are alike, or that gross immoralities will not aug- ment your guilt and condemnation in the last day. But this is an undoubted truth, that he only who gives up himself to God in this world, can ever dwell with him in the world to come : for " if we sow to the flesh, we shall of the flesh reap corruption: and it is only from sowing to the Spirit, that we can hope to reap life everlasting." Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we would persuade you, whilst yet we may avert from you the impending storm : we would persuade thee in particular, O young man, that thou mayest not any longer deceive thy soul, and dream of happiness in another world, when thou art only " treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath."]
2, Those who are seeking happiness in the ways of God —
[Say whether thou hast not found more solid joy in the ways of God, than ever thou foundest in the vanities of the world ? Say whether thou hast not found it better to " mortify thy members upon earth," than to indulge them ; and to live to God, rather than to live unto thyself? The joy thou now hast is legitimate: it is such as prophets and apostles had before thee ; and such as God has freely conceded to thee, to the utmost extent of all thy wishes: " Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King." Indeed thy present joys are the gift of God to thy soul. Go on then " rejoicing in the Lord always:"