long, who have not even a form of godliness. We must either believe that such individuals are among the wicked, or renounce at once the statements and authority of the word of God. No sincere inquirer of the truth can do the latter. But when the matter is farther investigated, it will appear that those persons whose knowledge is extensive, whose minds are highly cultivated, whose influence is great, whose talents are commanding, and whose natural dispositions are amiable, are also pre-eminently criminal in rejecting true religion. How many thousands are to be found, sunk into a state of ignorance, and placed in circumstances where they can obtain no moral or mental culture; their natural love of sin has led them greedily to imitate the evil example of others, and they have become fearfully debased in their principles and their conduct. But guilty as these worthless beings are, the class formerly mentioned seems to have incurred more aggravated blame. The declaration of the Saviour is to this effect: "And that servant who knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of few stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." Here, the mere omission of duties which men owe to God, by those who know or ought to know the divine law, is declared to be deserving * Luke xii. 47 and 48. of heavy punishment; while the commission of what is evil, the practice of what is openly wicked, by those who do not know his will, shall be punished more lightly. This must appear, even on worldly principles, the strictest justice. Jehovah has bestowed on the individuals referred to many favours; but he gave them to be employed in his own service, in imparting good to their souls, and in seeking the happiness of others. But if, instead of this, every blessing is prostituted to some selfish or worldly object; nay, employed in opposing the righteous authority of that God who gave the blessings, we cannot but conclude, that they are manifesting injustice and ingratitude. There is an evil example presented to children, to friends, and to servants, as well as to the world at large. It must greatly tend to encourage multitudes in sin, when they behold those who are possessed of influence and learning, talents and respectability, despising the very profession of religion, and living without the fear or love of God. They may indeed pretend, that they are setting a good example to the vulgar, by occasionally visiting the sanctuary of God; but it is only a mockery, and the means employed are hypocritical and base. It is an attempt to gull the people, and induce them to attend to a religion which they have themselves rejected as false, or at least as unnecessary. Every mind that wishes to be thought honourable should keep from such deceit, for it can only lessen their own character for integrity. Let them go to the house of God; but let it be with a desire to worship the true God, and to receive spiritual good. It will be then that their influence and example will do good, and not till then. Let not the mind of the inquirer be startled when we speak of the dangerous circumstances in which those whom they once admired, and still esteem, have placed themselves by the rejection of the Gospel. In wishing them to judge correctly of this matter, we would refer them to the plain, unequivocal declarations of Scripture. The various distinctions which men have made between each other, and the estimation in which they hold one another, are too frequently opposed to the revealed will of God. They call evil good, and good evil. The Bible, however, always declares the truth. It says respecting sinners in general, "The soul that sinneth it shall die."*"The wicked shall not be unpunished;"+"for the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness." remove the error of many who fancy, that if in general they obey God, he will not punish them, the Apostle James declares, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." To But the declarations of Scripture become more numerous and solemn, when uttered against those who commit the greatest of all crimes, in refusing to believe in the Son of God. "If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema * Ezek. xviii. 4. Rom. i. 8. + Pro. xi. 21. James ii. 10. maranatha."* "He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God."+"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself; he that believeth not God hath made him a liar because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son."§ From all these passages it is evident, that though individuals may be possessed of all those qualities which excite the admiration and secure the respect of their fellow-men; yet, if this be all; if they remain destitute of faith in the Son of God, they are exposed to his displeasure; they are now under his curse, and dying in a state of unbelief and impenitence, must endure his wrath for ever. And let it be remembered, that this is not the harsh and illiberal language of gloomy fanatics, or the gratuitous assertions of those who wish to represent the Divine Being as cruel and vindictive. It is the language of that Being himself, who has surely a right to warn his intelligent creatures of the danger of provoking him. He employs it that sinners may be left without excuse, as well as to induce them to flee from the wrath to come. Had there not been a sufficient reason for it, the Spirit * 1 Cor. xvi. 22. + John iii. 18. § 1 John v. 10. of God would not have dictated such strong and solemn language. Had not unbelief been a tremendous evil beyond human calculation, Jehovah would not have said, "He that believeth not shall be condemned." Had there not been an intention to carry into full effect the threatenings of his own word, they had never been uttered by the God of truth. Had there not been power to execute his awful denunciations, never had our ears listened to their sound. He never uses undeservedly the language of reproof; for he is a God of love. He never employs the language of impotence; for his word is omnipotent. He never utters the terrors of his law, without entreating men to be reconciled to himself. Had he desired the death of the sinner, the eternal misery of the wicked, he would never have given any warning-he had never revealed the promise of a Saviour. The beloved Son of God had never visited a world inhabited by rebels, and polluted by sin. The humiliation of the stable, the tears and agonies of the garden, the groans of Calvary, would have been unknown. Had God sought the ruin of his creatures, the services of prophets and apostles would never have been permitted; Christian churches would never have been formed; the Christian ministry would not have been instituted, and the gladdening accents of mer cy had never been heard by the present generation; Jehovah would never have sworn by himself, and said, “As I live, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way |