is our conduct very clearly stamped. Our rejection of Christ
is not sudden or occasional, but constant and uniform
Nor is it peculiar to any one description of persons, but is
found in all of every rank and every age Nor is there any
other thing under heaven which so kindles the wrath of men, or instigates them to such implacable animosity, as this ; " Ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake," and " whosoever killeth you, shall think he doeth God service " ]
The recompence awarded to them by him, shews what all the enemies of Christ must expect at his hands —
[He said to his attendants, " Bring hither those that were mine enemies, and would not that I should reign over them, and slay them before me d." So when our blessed Lord shall come to judge the world, will he say to his attendant angels. He bore long with the Jews before he destroyed them : and so he may do with us. But he inflicted on them at last a judg- ment heavier far than ever befell any nation under heaven. And on us also at last, when the day of grace has terminated, shall wrath come to the very uttermost. Now every repenting sinner shall be spared and made partaker of his mercy : but then no pity shall be shewn to any impenitent transgressor ; but all without exception shall have the cup of God's indigna- tion put into their hands, and shall drink of it to all eternity. If the sword that smites his rebellious subjects were to put an end to their existence, it were well : but the death which it inflicts will be attended with an agony of which no conception can be formed, and of which there shall be no mitigation or end so long as God himself shall endure.]
And now let me make my appeal to you : 1. Has not this been your conduct ? [The kingdom of Christ has been set up amongst you, and you have all been repeatedly called upon to submit to his sceptre. But who amongst you have thrown away the weapons of your rebellion ? Who have renounced " the lords which have hitherto had dominion over them, and determined hence- forth to make no mention of any other name than that of Christe?" Who account " his yoke light and easy," and desire to have every thought of their hearts subjected to the obedience of Christ ? You cannot but know that from your very earliest days, your own will, rather than his, has been the rule of your action; and that, instead of humbling yourselves before him, and seeking mercy through his atoning blood, you have maintained a stoutness of heart, most of you, at least, even to the present
d ver. 27. e Isai. xxvi. 13.