1282. J John's address to his followers. 21
God giving his orders to him that is to use it. Disease or accident are just tarrying awhile, but coming at the appointed moment, to execute their commission.
And here let it be remembered, that it is not a mere nega- tive goodness that will obtain a respite. It is not said, that every tree which brings forth i^^ctdiarly had fruit, shall be cut down ; but every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit. There must be such fruits as we have before spoken of; such as characterize a converted state; such as are "meet for" and " worthy of" true repentance. As the " unprofitable servant" is numbered with those who are positively " wicked," so the unfruitful tree will receive the same doom as that which is laden with the most pernicious fruits. And hapj)y would it be for such professors of religion, if they had only temporal judgments to expect: but there remains for them a fire, after they are cut down; a fire into which they will be cast, and which, though incessantly consuming them, will never be extinguished.]
Address —
1. Guard against delusive expectations —
[Every person, whatever may have been his life, hopes to be happy in a future world. The vanity of such hopes is in many cases so manifest, that we cannot but pity the self- deluding people who cherish them. Yet, though we can see the delusions of others, we cannot see our own : we all hope that our ozvn state is safe : " a deceived heart turns us aside, so that we cannot deliver our souls, or say. Is there not a lie in my right hand ? " The Pharisees had a high conceit of their own comparative sanctity, as the Sadducees had of their supe- rior wisdom : and though each condemned the other, neither would condemn themselves. But John saw that neither the one nor the other would ultimately attain salvation, unless they exj)erienced an entire change both of heart and life. They however would not believe him, and therefore rejected the counsel of God, which the more humble publicans thank- fully embraced^. Let me guard you then against their mis- takes; and entreat you all, however wise or good you may conceive yourselves to be, to entertain a godly jealousy re- specting your state : and be fearful, lest by building your hopes upon the sand, you then begin to find your error when it is beyond a remedy.]
2. Be thankful to those who will ^hew you your true character.
[Those ministers who commend themselves most faith- fully to your consciences, deserve your thanks. Many are the
1^. Luke vii. 29, 30.