The several scriptural representations of this decisive event concur in establishing these conclusions.

They who sin without law, shall perish without "law;" they that transgress the law, (having had the benefit of revelation,) will be judged and condemned according to it; but if they claim the benefit of the gospel, their professed faith in Christ will be tried by its fruits and effects; so that none will eventually stand in judgment, except the true believer, who hath shown his faith by his works. Yet the doom of benighted heathens, however vile their conduct hath been, will be far less dreadful than that of wicked Christians; and hypocritical professors of the gospel will not only be more severely punished than the inhabitants of Tyre and Sidon, but it will even be more tolerable for Sodom than for them.

Let it be here carefully observed, that very dangerous conclusions have been drawn from our Lord's words respecting the day of judgment:* as if humane and beneficent actions of any kind would ensure a man's acceptance at that solemn season. But every reflecting person on deliberately examining the passage must perceive, that nothing will then be favourably noticed, which has been done by impenitent despisers of the gospel, from ostentation, or pharisaical pridė, or a mere instinctive propensity; for this supposition contradicts and disannuls the whole system of Christianity.—In fact, kindness to believers, the brethren of Christ, from love to his name, truth, cause, and

* Matt. xxv. 35-40.

image, as the genuine effect of living faith, is exclusively mentioned in this description. No doubt, however, but love to our fellow-sinners and enemies, from evangelical motives, will be graciously accepted: but active, liberal love to true Christians, whom we are naturally disposed to scorn and hate, is selected, as the most unequivocal proof of our love to Christ; nor can this ever be separated from other instances of humble obedience, in the habitual tenour of our conduct.

It may easily be conceived what discoveries will be made, "when the books shall be opened," in respect of the different descriptions of unbelievers; which will suffice to " stop every mouth," to bring in "the "whole world as guilty before God;" and to illustrate the divine justice in the condemnation of all those, who shall then "go away into everlasting punish"ment." Every one, who seriously reflects on his own conduct, during the entire course of his past life; and compares his thoughts, words, and works, with the holy commandments of God, will gradually more and more find his own heart condemn him: and if this be the case with the most moral of the human race, where will the blasphemous, the profligate, the fraudulent, the oppressor, and the murderer appear? Whatever may now be objected, or whatever excused, the discovery of the divine glory of the holy and perfect law, of man's obligations, and of the whole behaviour of every individual, towards God and man, will then leave the most specious unbelievers speechless, and make them feel the justice of their own condemnation.

But what words can express the consequence of this definitive sentence? Or who does not see that the language of Scripture is selected to mark out the most tremendous effects of almighty indignation? "These shall go away into everlasting," (or eternal,) "punishment." But how can this be, if the persons thus condemned do not exist for ever in a state of punishment? Or what proof have we of the eternity of happiness intended for the righteous, if the same word in the same verse in one place do not mean eternal? -We need not enlarge.If the ideas "of a "never dying worm, an inextinguishable fire," "the "blackness of darkness for ever," and "the compa

ny of the devil and his angels," do not "warn men to flee from the wrath to come," none else can, for these only fail, "because they are not be"lieved."

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On the other hand, "a kingdom that cannot be "moved," an incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading " inheritance,” “an exceeding and eternal weight of glory," pleasures at God's right hand for ever"more," are expressions so energetick, that did we truly believe and attend to them, we could not but be influenced by them in all our conduct. Here then we pause-" Beloved, we know not what we shall be; "but this we know, that when Jesus shall appear, we "shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is;" and the countless ages of eternity will only serve to enhance our unutterable joys. With what words, then, can we more properly close this Essay, and the present compendious publication, than those of the

Apostle? "Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look "for such things, be diligent, that ye may be found " of him in peace, without spot, and blameless."

THE END.

INDEX.