Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

This is a way of deliverance from eternal ruin that is honourable to all the perfections of God, exactly suited to the abject condition of man, and without which he must inevitably perish. But though it be so completely fitted to expiate his guilt, to relieve his wretchedness, and restore him to purity and to happiness; yet the methods that infinite wisdom has adoped to effect it are so degrading to human pride, so diametrically opposite to the ideas men entertain of their own dignity and virtue, that it is frequently either wholly neglected or treated with scorn.

It may, perhaps, be asked, Is it not unwarrantably censorious to ascribe dislike to this way of salvation to the pride of man? But to what else can it be attributed? I appeal to the candour of those who oppose the salutary truth, and ask, whether they do not really think that there is something in their virtue and their piety which God must regard, and for which he will be finally propitious? Now, if this be the case, the doctrine of mere grace must of course be viewed with a frowning aspect,

:

because it indicates total depravity-entire helplessness: it resists all claims to merit, and excludes every degree of regard to human excellence it proceeds on a supposition of there being nothing good in man, which is a degrading fact that is not credited. It is, therefore, quite natural for men with such sentiments, to explode the doctrine altogether; and it would be consistent and honourable, frankly to acknowledge that, in opposing it, the principles of selfimportance did imperceptibly operate, and that therefore, it is no breach of christian charity to attribute aversion from it to the influence of these principles.

The doctrine of the cross has ever been, to them that perish, foolishness. The ancient Jews required a sign, and the learned Greeks sought after wisdom: Christ became to both a stumbling stone and rock of offence. He was beheld as a root out of dry ground; as having no form nor comeliness; no beauty to render him desirable. The means, when compared with the end, appeared hateful to the Jew, and absurd to the Greek; but to them

[ocr errors]

that believed, both Jews and Greeks, Christ became the power of God and the wisdom of God.'

It is a lamentable fact, that the generality of those persons who are perpetually talking of the mercy and goodness of God, are very far from being eminent for sanctity of life. It should seem, therefore, from this circumstance, that there is a strong propensity to believe, either that sin is not so hateful as represented, or that the Almighty will not finally punish it. But this is an awful. deception. He is not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with him.' It is a fact -an incontestable fact, that God is angry with the wicked every day-that he will by no means clear the guilty.' That the soul that sinneth shall die, is the irrevocable decree of heaven. Men may attempt to extenuate the turpitude of their own actions, and bless themselves in their hearts, saying, We shall have peace, though we walk in the imaginations of our hearts, to add drunkenness to thirst: but the Lord will not spare them-He will ren

[ocr errors]

der to them that are contentious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile.'

The profane scoffer may walk after his own lusts, and insultingly ask, in the language of similar characters of old, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation-Let him make speed, and hasten his work that we may see it; and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!But the Lord is not slack concerning his promises, as some men count slackness-he will be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy; sanctified in righteousness.' Whatever the incorrigible sinner may think, his damnation slumbereth not-the day of his calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon him make haste.' Divine justice is not asleep, but watchful. The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed-His

[ocr errors]

eyes are in every place, beholding the evil and the good; Whence it is evident, that God not only can know, if he will, but likewise that he actually wills to know all that we do.' He is a Judge infinitely wise, and infinitely powerful; whom the sinner can neither deceive, escape, nor resist.' Not a word, not a thought eludes his notice. All deviations are faithfully recorded; and a tribunal erected where, as one expresses it, the proofs for conviction are ready to produce, the evidence unexceptionable, and the awards of justice exactly proportioned to the guilt. Though the adulterer wait for the twilight, and disguise himself,' yet shall he not avoid detection: the hidden things of darkness shall be brought to light: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Whatsoever has been spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which has been spoken in the ear, in closets, shall be proclaimed upon the house tops.'

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

'That dreadful evil, which, with equal force and propriety, is called the second death,

« AnteriorContinuar »