Most of you will anticipate me in the following re- flections— 1 . How astonishing is the supineness of the un- godly!
[Were the cry of fire to be made in a crowded assembly, what pressing would be made to escape the devouring element, and how backward would people be to believe that they were not in danger ! But let God, and his Ministers, warn them of
eternal " Matt. xiii. 30, ?.(), A\. ^ Piov. i. 2-! — 2(j, * Ezek. v. 13.
»" llev. xi:v. 1 6. '• Matt. XXV. 'l&. 'Mark ix.'i3— 48.
eternal fire, and none will pay the smallest regard to their voice. O sad infatuation ! For, " who can stand before his indignation? who can abide in the fierceness of his anger''?" " Who amongst us can dwell with the devouring fire ? who amongst us can dwell with everlnst'wg burnings'?" May God awaken all of us from our security; and so lead us to examine our real character, that we may humble ourselves before him, and *' Wee from the wrath to come !"]
2.^ How happy are they who have the mark of God's image upon them !
[Blessed be God ! there are many whose dispositions and habits are altogether changed ; who were once idolatrous, and superstitious, yea, perhaps contemners and persecutors of real godliness, but are now enlightened by the Holy Spirit, and " renewed after the image of God in righteousness and true holiness." You also are " marked in your foreheads™;" but "your spot is the spot of God's children"." Blessed in- deed are ye ; for " ye shall be counted worthy to escape all those things which are coming on the ungodly, and to stand before the Son of man" in his glory. For you is prepared a very different cup, a cup " wherein is fulness of joy, and plea- sures at God's right hand for evermore"." Yes, whilst " for- nicators, Hars, hypocrites," and sinners of every description " shall have their portion in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone ^" you shall dwell in the presence of your God, and enjoy an inconceivable happiness without mixture, inter- mission, or end.J
■^ Nahum i ff. ' Isai. xxxiii. 14. " Ezek. ix. 4..
" Deut. xxxii. 5. " Ps. xvi. 11. ^ Rev.xxi. S.withPs. ix. 17.