wonders of love and mercy contained in it, are confident, in their own minds, that they have nothing to fear : and hence they continue in " the broad road that leadeth to destruction," without ever thinking of their impending fate, till they drop into perdition. A fact which a pious writer records, as seen by himself, will well illustrate this. A flock of sheep being frightened on a bridge at the time of a high flood, one of them leaped over the side : all, one after another, followed its example, each supposing that those which had preceded him were safe and happy : but all, to their cost, found out their error when it was too late : for all were immersed in the flood, and perished in the waters. This gives us an exact picture of what is passing all around us. And it is abundantly confirmed in Holy Writ. In the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, the rich man, who had no flagrant sin laid to his charge, supposed himself sure of happiness in death; just as his five surviving brethren did, whilst walking in his steps : but from the depths of hell we hear him crying for a drop of water, to cool his tongue ; and entreating, that a messenger might be sent from heaven to warn his brethren of their danger: and, as this request could not be complied with, we have reason to suppose that they also, however confident of their safety, became partakers of his awful doom. And would not many, who are gone before, be glad to send such messengers to us ? Yes, I doubt not but that thousands and millions of them would be coming from heaven, if they were allowed to per- form that friendly office for our self-deceiving race : for, what- ever we may think to the contrary, that very Jesus, whom we slight, will ere long " be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ ; who shall be punished with everlasting destruc- tion from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power''."]
To IMPROVE this subject, I would entreat you to consider,
1. What use you should make of your present op- portunities—
[You have "the Lord of glory" set before you, and all the mysteries of redeeming love unfolded to you. Yes, I can appeal to God, that " I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." I pray you, then, continue not ignorant of this great mystery ; for it is " the wisdom of God, and the power of God " to salvation to all those who receive
^ 2 Thess. i. 7—9.