Address,
1 . Those who are in unbelief —
[None can be truly said to believe in God, who do not
come ' Rom. av. 15.
come to God " ly Christ "." In vain do we profess the Christian faith, if we do not experience its influence in this leading point. How many then, even of those who give their assent to the Gospel as true and excellent, are yet Unbelievers in the sight of God ! Let such remember, that they pour contempt upon the eternal counsels of the Father, and practically de- clare, either that the Divine. Records are false, or that the wonders of redemption were unnecessary. Ah ! what account will they give at the last, for so requiting the love of God ! Let them blush at their ingratitude, and tremble lest, like their predecessors in iniquity, the}' be refused admittance into the Promised Land".]
2. Those who yield to doubts ai^d fears — [You have seen how great things God has done, in order that you might abound in faith and hope. Are ye not then enemies to your own peace, while you give way to unbelief? And do ye not deprive God of that glory, which, by an assured confidence in him, you might bring to his name? Do not imagine that it is any mark of humility to harbour doubts and fears. It is no humility to oppose his gracious designs. He would have you filled with consolation ; but you, in yield- ing to unbelief and despondency, comply with the suggestions of Satan, and defeat, as much as in you lies, the gracious pur- poses of the Deity towards you. Seek then to be " strong in faith, giving glory to God." And in order to confirm your faith and hope, reflect often on the Father's lo^ e in giving you his Son, and in raising him triumphant to his throne of glory. In this you may read the termination of your conflicts, and anticipate the triumphs that shall never end.]
" See the text. ' Heb. iii. 18, IQ.