in the last day. Indeed, the two periods are so inter- woven in our Lord's discourse, that it is not easy to separate them. We may well therefore fix our atten- tion on those events wherein we are all concerned ;
1. The final destruction of God's enemies —
[This is foretold in unnumbered passages of Scripture ; and the judgments, which are now executed in the world, are so many presages of a future retribution. Whatever people may imagine, this awful event shall come to pass. The Jews supposed that, because they professed the true religion, they should never experience the threatened calamities : but, when they had filled up the measure of their iniquities, " wrath came upon them to the uttermost." Thus it shall be with all the ungodly. In vain are all their hopes founded on their ex- ternal relation to Christ : the word of God will be fulfilled in its season ; and sooner shall heaven and earth pass away, than one jot or tittle of it faild.]
2. The eternal salvation of God's elect —
[This is asserted with the same frequency and clearness as the opposite truth : and too often is it questioned by persons through the prevalence of unbelief. There may be indeed great, and, humanly speaking, insurmountable obstacles in the way. As the Christians were enclosed by the besieging army, yet escaped at last through the most unaccountable and impolitic conduct of the Roman general in intermitting the siege, so shall some way be found for the salvation of God's people: they may be hemmed in on every side ; yet shall not God's purposes of love be defeated, or the "smallest grain of pure wheat ever fall to the ground e."]
This subject may be further improved,
1. In a way of conviction —
[It becomes us all to inquire what is to be expected from the signs that manifest themselves in us? Is the fig-tree budding, and are the trees putting forth their leaves ? or, are they stripped of their foliage, and assuming daily a more dead and barren appearance ? Are our graces, though small, grow- ing in beauty and fruitfulness ; or are we mere cumberers of the ground, that bring forth no fruit to God? From these things we may know the present, and augur the future, state of our souls. O let our minds be open to conviction ; and let conscience do its office.]
2. In a way of consolation —
rt ver. 32, 33. e Amos ix. 9.