and marrying and giving in marriage, as securely as at any former period of the world : and would not believe that they were in any danger, till, on the entrance of Noah into the ark, the flood came and destroyed them all. So, at the last day, the inhabitants of this globe will be as little occupied with the thoughts of judgment, as we are at this moment. Our Lord tells us, that " he will come as a thief in the night ;" that, with- out any previous warning, the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, and the earth, with every thing in it, shall be burnt up."
Conceive now the feelings of men at the very first moment that this tremendous and irresistible combustion shall burst forth. Some faint idea may be entertained, if only you sup- pose that the plot, which God in his mercy has defeated, had been accomplished. Conceive the company that was assem- bled, either as partaking of the friendly repast, or as deliberat- ing on the affairs of state, and consulting with each other for the welfare of the nation: Conceive of them as beholding the desolating instrument cast in among them, and ready in a few moments to execute its destined office : With what terror would they be filled ! and, if a moment were allowed for an ejaculatory petition, with what ardour would they implore mercy for their souls ! Thus will it be in every quarter of the globe. All, except "the remnant, who, in the habit of their minds, have been dying daily, will be ready to " call upon the rocks and mountains to fall upon them, and to cover them from the wrath of the lamb," whose judgment they dread.
But to that happy remnant another scene will open : for to them shall be revealed,]
2. The establishment of a new and better state — - [They, " according to God's promise, are even now look- ing for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righte- ousness :" and then shall that new state open to their view. In the bold and figurative language of prophecy, the Millennial
state is sometimes described under these terms'' and
well it may be; since, when compared with the present state of things, wherein iniquity so awfully abounds, it will be indeed " a new creation." But the period here spoken of is contem- poraneous with the final judgment; and, consequently, must refer to heaven itself, where neither sin nor sorrow can ever dwell. That is the period of which St. John speaks, when he says, " I saw a new heaven, and a new earth : for the first heaven
and the first earth were passed away and there shall in
nowise enter into it any thing that defileth^"
Contemplate the feelings of the godly at the moment that this glory bursts vipon them. In vain shall we look for any
thing * Isai. kv. 17. & kvi.22. •" Rev. xxi. 1, 27.