" Why zvill ye die ?" Is death, eternal death so light a matter, that ye will subject yourselves to it for the fleeting gratifica- tions of sin ? Is it a light thing " to fall into the hands of the living God," and to have " both body and soul cast into hell" for ever ? Or is a life of godliness so painful, that the labours of it will not be repaid by all the felicity of heaven ? If we were to ask you, Why will ye seek after God ? Why will ye regard your souls ? Why will ye forsake the beaten paths of sin, and walk in the unfrequented ways of righteousness ? your answers would be plain ; the most ignorant might give such a reply, as not all the wisdom of man could gainsay or resist. But what will ye answer to the interrogation in the text ? And if you are constrained now, notwithstanding your habits of self-vindication, to acknowledge the folly and mad- ness of your conduct, how much more will you be speechless in the day of judgment, when the enormity of such conduct will appear without any palliation or disguise ! Let not God then reason with you in vain : but turn from those ways, which you are not able to justify, or, with any shadow of pro- priety, to excuse.]
Application —
1. To those who are now at length desirous of returning to God —
[It is not from profaneness to morality, or from morality to an outward observance of religious duties, that God calls us ; but from all sin whatever to a sound and thorough con- version. Be sure then that you do not mistake in a matter of such infinite importance ; but turn to God in the ways which he has appointed. Go with penitence and contrition to the Lord Jesus, that you may be washed in the fountain of his blood: and pray to God for the influences of his Spirit, that you may be " sanctified wholly in body, soul, and spirit, and be preserved blameless unto his heavenly kingdom." Rest in nothing short of this, for it is to this only that the promise of life is annexed ; " you must be converted, and become as little children (simple, teachable, dependent, obedient in all things) if ever you would enter into the kingdom of heaven."]
2. To those who are still determined to withstand
the entreaties of God —
[Go on in sin, till you have filled up the measure of your iniquities : but remember, ye will not have to cast the blame on God in that day when your calamities shall come upon you. God has at this very hour testified with an oath, that it is his desire to save your souls ; yea, he at this moment ex- postulates with you, and beseeches you to seek his face. Nor shall ye have to accuse your minister in that day. We are