Address —
1. To those who are yet living in sin —
[Is there a person here, who, whether openly or in secret, gives way to uncleanness? Thou " shalt never inherit the king- dom of God." Is there a person here who corresponds in any respect with those described in the text ? Does not thy con- science tell thee. Thou must perish ? If thou hast bribed, or silenced thy conscience, " deceive not thyself;" for God's word shall stand, whether thou believe it or not. Hear this, thou whoremonger, thou adulterer, &c. &c. In the name of Almighty God I declare. Thou shalt never inherit the kingdom of God, unless thou repent, and believe in Christ. Let me entreat thee seriously to consider thy guilt and danger, while there is a way of escape yet opened to thee by the Gospel.]
2. To those who have experienced pardon and sanctification by the Gospel —
[It will be always profitable for you to bear in mind what you once were : for though your actions may not have been so abominable as those referred to in the text, none of you have any right to cast a stone at others ; seeing that the seeds of all evils are in your own hearts, and nothing but the preventing grace of God has made you to differ from your more abandoned neighbour. What cause have you then to magnify and adore that grace which has so distinguished you ; and to " love much, from a sense of having had so much forgiven ! "
Well also may a recollection of the many talents that have been forgiven you, incline you readily to forgive the pence that may be owing to you by an offending brother. It is par- ticularly in this view that the text is introduced by the Apostle, and in this view it certainly ought to be improved. Get but a just sense of the mercies vouchsafed to you in the pardon of your sins by the blood of Jesus, and the renovation of your natures by the Holy Ghost, and you will esteem nothing too much to do for God, and no forbearance too great to exercise towards the most unworthy of mankind.]