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SERMON IV.

THE SINNER'S DESTRUCTION CERTAIN.

EZEKIEL XXXiii. 11.

Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

UNDER the pressure of present evils, men often utter complaints against Providence; and while referring to the future recompense awaiting the wicked, they murmur against the equity of the divine dispensations. The principle whence these complaints and murmurings arise, is natural to the human heart in its present condition. Its operation was remarked at the period when the individual whose words we have recited, prophesied in the name of Jehovah. There were Jews who, involved in captivity and its attendant calamities, were

disposed to trace these evils to any other source than their own misconduct. It was not that they had been guilty, but that their fathers had been so— and that God had inflicted upon the former the chastisement due to the latter, or that he had causelessly involved them in wretchedness. Against this presumptuous and impious charge, the protestation of the text is directed. Let us first consider by how solemn a pledge this declaration is supported-" As I live, saith the Lord God." The truth of the statement is as certain as the existence of Jehovah. It is confirmed by the oath of that glorious Being, who since he can swear by no greater one, has sworn by himself. Consider next the fact asserted, that "he has no pleasure in the death of the wicked."

It is not to gratify any malevolent disposition in the divine mind, that men endure misery here or hereafter. Even when justice and enlightened benevolence, regarding the good of the whole, require the punishment of individuals, yet is not that act of severity in itself gratifying to the infinite Judge. On the contrary, he rejoices over the return of his creatures to righteousness; he has pleasure when his own glory and authority-the good of the universe-and the private happiness of every man, are consistent with each other. This is the statement by which the solemn admonition before us is prefaced, and we may have occasion

again to recur to it. I would now however proceed to observe, that there is a great and interesting truth implied in the passage under view. It is this:"That without conversion our destruction is inevitable." This is only expressing in other language the alternative mentioned, "turn or die."

In urging this subject upon those of my auditors who have not yet attended to the great concern of religion, I would first represent to you "that you are sinners." That God is a being of righteousness and purity, and that he interests himself in human affairs, are truths not more certain than that mankind, while in their natural state, are very far from receiving his approbation. It is known that there exists in the minds of some, an indisposition to admit the general depravity and sinfulness of our species. The assertion of this fact is said to be the result either of a censorious disposition, or of gloomy and mistaken views of human life and character. It is nevertheless in accordance with the declarations of that infinite wisdom which is perfectly acquainted with us, with our propensities, with our actions. That men universally are not grossly wicked is admitted. That there is apparent in the world much that is amiable and useful, and that human nature in its unimproved state has exhibited high examples of paternal, filial and conjugal affection, of devoted friendship, of irreproachable integrity and general kindness, is also freely allowed. Still, placing out

of view entirely the crimes which are perpetrated against society, and omitting to consider the multifarious offences of a less odious character which on all sides meet the eye, it can be made to appear that without religion, without piety to God, the most exemplary character that ever was observed is marked by a fearful deficiency.

Allow me in establishing this fact, to bring the matter home to you, by making an appeal to your own consciences. I shall not then charge any one of you with being dissolute in your habits; with being intemperate in the gratification of your appetites; with invading the possessions of others by fraud or violence; or with disturbing in any serious degree their happiness. On the contrary, I shall suppose you moral in your conduct, upright in all your intercourse with the world, generally benevolent in your feelings. It shall be admitted that you perform almost every social duty;—and yet you are wanting. Where is a reverence toward the glorious Being who formed you-a reverence marked in your whole deportment? Where is your love and where your gratitude to Him from whom you derive all things? What are the external demonstrations of regard which you exhibit? Where is your obedience to the indications of his revealed will? Have you rendered obedience to that command which requires you to honor the Son even as you honor the Father? Have you inclined your

ear to the instructions of Jesus Christ, and obeyed his injunctions? We do not perceive in you these indications of piety toward God-a duty which reason as well as revelation enforces, and the neglect of which is an evil of the most serious character. And is it a trivial matter to be thoughtless of the Almighty and negligent of his service? Surely not! It is a failure to answer the very end for which we were created. If God be a father, is he not to be honored? If a master, is he not to be feared? If he be all perfect, should we not adore him? If he be all merciful, should we not love him?

Who then, even of the most virtuous among you, that is not a Christian, can say, I have performed my duties to my God? Who of you shall presume to say to the most Holy One, "judge me according to what I have done?" There is none.

man the charge of transgression lies.

Against every

The guilt of

some is of a more appalling character-but in every instance it is sufficiently dreadful.

2. But if it be true that you are sinners, it is equally so "that destruction awaits you." It is an awful delusion which men often cherish, that God is not strict in marking their iniquities-that the consequences of sin are not of so alarming a character as they are represented to be. When we consider how excellent, how conducive to our happiness, is that law which requires our observancehow glorious is that being who enjoins obedience to

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