CHAP V.] Application of the subject. [JUDGMENT. who esteems every act of their charity and kindness done to his servants as done to himself, shall dispense the blessed reward? Then the King will say to those on his right hand, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Matt. xxv. Oh the transports of joy to hear those words from his lifebreathing lips! The prophet breaks forth in an extasy, How beautiful are the feet of the messengers of peace, who bring glad tidings of salvation. But how much more beautiful is the face of the Author of our peace and salvation! Oh how full of serenity, and clemency, and glory! The expectation of this makes them languish with impatience for his coming. Though the preparations of that day are so dreadful, when the sun shall be darkened, and the moon turned into blood, and the stars fall like leaves in autumn; yet it is styled a day of refreshment to the saints. But how dreadful will his coming in majesty be to the wicked. They shall see him whom they have pierced, and with bitter lamentation remember the indignities offered to him. What excuses can they allege, why they did not believe and obey the gospel. Our Saviour revealed high mysteries, but confirmed them with great miracles. He required strict holi ness, but offered grace to enable men to do his will. He poured forth his Spirit upon them; but their hearts were as hard as the rocks, and as barren as the sands. Then he will reproach them for their insolent contempt of all the perfections of his divine JUDGMENT.] Application of the subject. [CHAP. V. nature, and the bleeding sufferings of his human nature, to reconcile them to God;-for their undervaluing neglect of the great salvation so dearly purchased, and so freely and earnestly offered to them; -for their obstinacy, that the purple streams which flowed from his crucified body, and all the sorrows and agonies of his soul were not effectual to make them forsake their sins; for their preferring the bramble to reign over them,' Satan the destroyer of souls, and ungrateful rejecting the true Vine,' the blessed Saviour, who by so many miraculous mercies solicited their love, and deserved their service:--this will make the sentence as just as terrible, and the more terrible because just. This will exasperate the anguish, that the gospel shall be a savour of death to them; and the blessed Redeemer pronounce them cursed, and dispatch them to everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels for ever. The judgment of the Redeemer will be more heavy than that of the Creator; for all the riches of his goodness which they despised, shall be the measure of their guilt and woes. All the means of grace used for their conversion but frustrated by their perverse ness, shall be charged upon their score. What con sternation will seize the wicked, when ten thousand accusers shall rise up in judgment against them, and not one advocate appear for their defence. Satan will be ready to aggravate their sins above his own; for though the superior excellence of his nature and state, did heighten his obligation, and consequently CHAP. V.} Application of the subject. [JUDGMENT. his disobedience to his Creator; and though he sinned of himself, and thereby derived a guilt exceeding that of man's original sin, who was seduced to his ruin; yet in that justice was so quick and severe that the angels after their sin were immediately expelled from their blessed habitation, and no space of repentance was allowed, and no mediator interposed to obtain terms of reconciliation with the incensed Deity, their doom was final and irrevocable. But after our rebellious sin, the Son of God, such was his immortal love, was willing to be mortal to redeem sinful men, and freely offered himself a sacrifice to atone the divine displeasure and a day of grace and longsuffering was granted, and many compassionate invitations were sent from heaven to soften their stony hearts. But they neglected and despised the grace of the gospel, and wilfully excluded themselves from mercy. In this respect they are more guilty than the fallen angels; and justice will revenge the abuse of mercy. Do they hope to soften the Judge by submissions and deprecations? Alas, he will be inflexible to all their prayers and tears. The Lamb will then be alion armed with terrors for their destruction. Or can they appeal to a higher court to mitigate or reverse the sentence. No, his authority is supreme, and confirmed by the immutable oath of God. do they think to resist the execntion of the sentence. Desperate folly! The angels, notwithstanding their numbers and strength, could not for a moment escape his revenging hand. The whole world of Or JUDGMENT.] Application of the subject. [CHAP. V. sinners is of no more force against his wrath, than the light dust against a whirlwind, or dry stubble against devouring fire. Or do they think by a stubborn spirit to endure it? Self-deceiving sinners; If the correction of his children here, though allayed, and for their amendment, make their beauty and strength to consume away as a moth;' how insupportable will the vengeance be on his obstinate enemies! Who knows the power of his anger; who can sound the depths of his displeasure? CHAP. VI. The consideration of eternal judgment should induce us to prepare for it-Faith in the Lord Jesus is absolutely necessary for our acceptance-The pardon of sin and the rewarding our services are on account of our Saviour's meritorious obedience and sufferings—The frequent trial of conscience prepares us for the last judgment, leads to repentance, and preserves from sin―Improving our talents, zealously maintaining the truth and cause of Christ, and a beneficent love to the afflicted saints shall then be rewarded-Necessity of watchfulness and prayer. THE consideration of eternal judgment should be a powerful incentive to prepare ourselves for it. The affair is infinitely serious, for it concerns our salvation or condemnation for ever. Yet the pleasures and business of the world fasten men in security, and hinder the entire application of their minds to prepare for their last account. It is an awful caution of our Saviour to his disciples; Take heed lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares; for as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the earth.' A dissolute voluptuous course of life, is R |