Yet, to that shall the unbeliever be finally con- signed—
[Plainly is this declared f: and our blessed Lord com- manded all his servants to declare it to the whole world s. In truth, this is no other than the necessary consequence of unbelief: for the Gospel is the only remedy for the salvation of fallen man; and they who reject it have no other alterna- tive than this. There is no medium between the salvation of the soul and its eternal condemnation : they who, through " love of unrighteousness," disregard the one, must inevitably and eternally endure the other.]
Inquire then, I pray you,
1. What is your disposition towards the Gospel?
[Do not too hastily conclude that you love it : for if you love it, you cannot but hate and abhor every kind of un- righteousness ; yea, and Christ himself must be precious to your souls. " Examine yourselves " by such tests as these, before you persuade yourselves "that you are in the faith:" and remember, that there is nothing more fatal, or indeed more common, than an ungrounded confidence. Many are " given over to a strong delusion ; and so believe their own lie," that they will never admit a fear of damnation, till they are left to endure it without a remedy.]
2. What are your prospects in the eternal world ?
[If they who reject the Gospel are given over to damna- tion, need I say, what is the happy state of those who receive the Gospel? But, if I had the tongue of an angel, I could not adequately declare what salvation is. This however I can declare, that it is yours, it is yours infallibly, if you believe in Christ, and cast yourselves altogether on him. Nothing have you to fear, if He be yours : for " in him you have both righteousness and strength;" righteousness, to justify you before God; and strength, to fulfil his holy will. Look then to the Saviour, and you may regard heaven as yours. Look to the Saviour; and, as from Pisgah's top, you may survey the promised land, and live in the sweet antici- pation of all its blessedness and glory.]
f John iii. 36. s Mark xvi. 16.