reach of doubt. But this has been already declared by all the inspired writers, who in successive ages sealed the truth with their blood. Besides, the Scriptures corroborate their testimony by a thousand other proofs, which a person coming from the dead could not, supply : and consequently, he who rejects the weightier evidence, would not be likely to be con- vinced by that which would be comparatively light. But the experiment has been made. Lazarus was raised from the dead : but many who saw him after his restoration to life, so far from being convinced by the miracle, sought to put him to death, lest a conviction should be wrought by it in the minds of others. Moreover, when our Lord rose from the dead, the soldiers, who guarded his tomb, went and announced it to the Jewish rulers : but they, instead of being suitably impressed by it, and acknowledging the truth of Christ's Messiahship, instantly fabricated a falsehood, and bribed the soldiers to attest it ; and the soldiers actually accepted the bribe, and attested the falsehood, and joined in denying the truth of Christ's resurrection, even within an hour after they themselves had beheld it : so little power has any sight, however terrific or unquestionable, to convince a mind that is biassed by prejudice, and blinded by the devil.]
2. To convert the impenitent —
[The sight of a person clothed with the splendour of heaven or the terrors of hell, would surprise and alarm ; but it would never convert a soul. The same lusts that counteract the influence of the written word, would soon efface the im- pressions which any such spectacle might produce. The love of sin would still remain as strong as ever; and a desire to defer to a more convenient season that work, to which men are so radically averse. The effect of such a sight might be strong at the time ; but it would gradually wear away ; and probably ere long become a subject of derision. We know how frequently such declensions are found after a person has been alarmed by some awful providence or some awakening discourse : we know also how the Israelites " forgat the Lord at the Red Sea, even at the Red Sea ." and we are well assured, that they who can withstand the voice of God in his word, would equally withstand the voice of a fellow-creature, whether he should come down from heaven, or ascend from hell. Even if heaven and hell were opened to their view, the impression would be only transient ; for, to convert a soul, is the work of God1 ; and his power only can effect itm.]
We may learn from hence,
1. In what an awful condition are the impenitent hearers of the Gospel !
1 Eph. ii. 10. m 1 Cor. iii. 5 — 7. and v. 4.