Address —
1. The idolatrous worldling —
[It is not only " the maker of idols," but he who " setteth up idols in his heart," that is an idolater in the sight of God: if we " love and serve the creature more than the Creator," we are as truly idolaters, as if we bowed down to stocks and stones; and do not the consciences of many testify, that their hearts are incomparably more set upon the world, than on God? If they compare their devotion before God with their zeal about earthly things, may they not see that they differ widely from from the true Israel? Shall we then say to them, that they shall be " saved with an everlasting salvation ? Should we not speak more truly if we were even to reverse the terms, and declare the judgments of God against them? Yes, indeed; for though they now will scarcely admit a doubt or a fear re- specting their eternal state, God has warned them, in the very words before the text, that " they shall be ashamed and con- founded, all of them ; they shall all go to confusion together." But is there no way for their escape? Blessed be God, there is : if they believe in Christ, they shall yet be saved ; for " there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus*:" and his command to them is, " Look unto me and be ye saved s." Let them but prostrate themselves at the foot of his cross, seeking redemption through his precious blood, and they shall yet become monuments of his pardoning mercy, and his sanc- tifying grace.]
2. The true Israelite —
[" Happy art thou, O Israel, O people saved by the Lord l ! " What a mercy is it to have God himself saying re- specting you, Israel shall be saved ! Possibly you may meet with many troubles in your way to glory ; but you need not regard them, as long as you have the promise that you shall survive them all. Perhaps, like Paul and those who were with him in the ship, you may be so tossed with tempest, as to be brought almost to despair : but God had promised that not a hair of their head should perish ; and though they suffered shipwreck, yet was his word fulfilled to them : for all of them, some on boards and others on broken pieces of the ship, got safe to shore". Thus shall it be with you also. You may, as thousands have before you, suffer the loss of all earthly com- forts ; but God's word shall not be broken : he has promised ; and he is not only able, but determined to perform. Look forward then with comfort to death and judgment, and know- that that day which shall be to others the beginning of sorrows, shall be to you the commencement of eternal joy.]
rver.22. s Rom.viii. 1. l Deut.xxxiii.20. u Actsxxvii. I) 1,44.