Address —
1. Those who think this a hard sentence —
[Let me ask, What can you reasonably expect ? Can you suppose that God will " put no difference between his friends and his enemies ; between those who serve him, and those who serve him note?" But you think that God will proclaim a
a Matt. vi. 24. b Jam. iv. 4. See the Greek.
c Nab. i. 2. d ps. xxj. s, 9. e Mai. iii. 18.
general amnesty; since he is too great to be affected by any thing that we have done, and too good to notice it with such seventy. Amongst earthly governments, a general amnesty may well be proclaimed, and punishment be limited to those who have been the ringleaders in rebellion. Indeed, a monarch who should proceed to extremity with all who have risen up against him, might almost depopulate his empire ; and, if he exercise mercy, the pardoned rebels may richly repay him by their fidelity in future. But God needs not us, nor can ever be repaid by us, for any lenity which he may exercise. He must and will fulfil his own word, and will execute judgment on all impenitent transgressors. And the only hope that remains for us, is, to humble ourselves before him, and to seek for mercy through that very Saviour, against whom we have rebelled.]
2. Those who acquiesce in it — [Many acquiesce in the declarations of God as true, who by no means approve of them as good : and I pray you, brethren, not to confound these ideas, or to give yourselves credit for the better feeling, because you cannot divest yourselves of that which forces itself irresistibly upon you. Never imagine that you are right in the sight of God, till you delight in the Redeemer's yoke as light and easy, and are ready, as faithful subjects, to lay down your lives in his service.]