literal accomplishment of this prophetic vision ; obtaining liberty for Jeremiah, and others of his believing people, whilst the unbelieving part were visited with the heaviest calamities0. And at the final destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, the disciples of Christ were rescued, as it were by miracle, from all the horrors of the siege, whilst their unhappy and devoted brethren were left to experience such troubles as never came upon any other nation under heaven.
But, if God do not see fit to exempt his people from the calamities that fall on others, he will so support them under their trials, and so sanctify to them their afflictions, that they shall be constrained to say, " It was good for them to have been afflicted." He will enable them to " glory in tribulations," and to " take pleasure in distresses," as fruits of his paternal love, and as means of furthering in their souls the purposes of his grace.]
2. Hereafter —
[The seal which God has set in their foreheads will dis- tinguish them from all others, as clearly as sheep are distin- guished from goats. Nor will there be any danger of mistake in any instance whatever. In Egypt the destroying angel did not smite one house whereon the blood of the Paschal lamb was sprinkled ; nor will the judgments of God fall on one individual, who has laid to heart the abominations of Israel. " God has set them apart for himself;" and for him they shall be preserved. No evil shall " come near to him who has the mark in his forehead." Whilst " fire and brimstone are rained " down upon all others without distinction, these will be safely lodged in God's holy mountain, beyond the reach or possibility of harm.]
Address —
1. To those who think lightly of sin — [By many it is thought a mark of weakness to sigh and cry for the sins of others, or even for our ownp. But let those who have such light thoughts of sin, consider ivhat sin has done, in this world, and especially in the world to come. What innumerable evils have existed, and do yet exist, throughout the world! yet is there not one in the whole creation, which is not the fruit of sin. And if we could obtain one sight of those dreary mansions, where fallen angels, to- gether with all who have perished in their sins, abide ; or could hear but one groan of a damned soul ; we should no more account sin a light matter : no indeed, it is " fools only, who make a mock at sin." If this do not suffice, let such an
0 Jer. xv. 11. and xxxix. 11, 12.
P See their character drawn : Amos vi. 1, 3, 5, 6.