[We have most abundant evidence of this delightful truth. The repentance of Nineveh is a standing encouragement for all nations.^ Even the temporary humiliation of Ahab pre- vailed to defer the impending judgments'^. What then should not be effected if this whole nation turned to God in sincerity ? God would sooner send an angel to deliver us, or open a passage for us through the sea, than suffer our enemies to prevail against us^. His promise to this effect is absolute '\ Let this consi- deration lead us to repentance ; and let the prophet's advice to mourn, and fast, and weep, be followed without delay'.]
3. If we return not to God, our present miseries will be only an earnest of far greater miseries in another world —
[God punishes men in this world in their national capa- city ; but in the future world every individual shall answer for his own sins. Nor are we left to doubt what will be the doom of the impenitent*^. In comparison of that, temporal calamities are of no account. Oh! who can dwell with everlasting burn- ings^? Let me beseech you then by the terrors of the Lord. It would be terrible indeed to fall into the hands of man ; but woe be to those who fall into the hands of the living God^. Let the exhortation of Christ then sink deep into your hearts, " Fear not man, who can only kill the body, but God, who can destroy both body and soul in hell. I say unto you all. Fear him"."]
'^ Jonah iii. 10. f 1 Kings xxi, 29.
s Exod. xiv. 22. with Isai. H. 10. and 2 Kings xix. 35. v^ith Ps. xxxiv. 7.
^ Jar. xviii. 8. ■ Joel ii. 12, 13. ^ Luke xiii. 3.
^ Isai. xxxiii. 14. •" Heb. x. 31. ° Luke xii. 5.