thing to fall into the hands of the living God." “He that made them will not have mercy on them, and He that formed them will show them no favor." They are all now under the condemnation of the Almighty. The awful but just sentence will never be revoked, while they continue to oppose the government and law of God. Alas! "enmity against God," is, in truth, the character of man by nature! The opposition is reciprocal, and constantly maintained; and therefore, God saith of sinners, "My soul loathed them, and their souls abhorred me." Zech. 11. 8. As sinners are fatally determined never to yield to God, and as there is no possibility of withstanding his power, their case is truly awful. The language of Heaven to them is, "Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be strong, in the day that I shall deal with thee? I the Lord have spoken it, and I will do it." Ezek. 22. 14. In fact, the impenitent will neither be able to endure their misery, nor to flee from it. There could be no such heartrending expressions used with propriety, if sinners are all to be annihilated at death. No man could be aware of the moment of that event, nor feel the least distress under the operation. The slight anticipations. which sinners may have now of such an end, must constitute all their sufferings. This can bear no comparison with having to appear at the bar of God; to see an angry Judge of infinite power; to hear Him say, "Depart from me, ye cursed;" and then to sink into eternal flames! Every unconverted soul is exposed every moment to all the evil that has been described. The Lord saith, "He that believeth not, is condemned already." John 3. 18. No condition can be more alarming than that of an unconverted sinner, until the sentence of Heaven shall have been actually executed. This led an Apostle to say, "Knowing therefore the terror af the Lord, we persuade men." 2 Cor. 5. 11. When

these solemn truths are fastened on the mind, by divine operation, the sinner begins to be awakened. His cry then is, "What shall I do to be saved?" In the view of sin and divine wrath, every degree of his selfish peace is completely destroyed. The apparent peace of a sinful world, is truly surprising. Alas! they have no proper sense of their guilt and danger. They hate to open their ears to the sound of searching preaching, lest their guilty repose should be disturbed. But however great their ease may be, ministers and Christians are alarmed about them; and they cry to God that their perishing souls may be saved. The anxicty of the Christian world is increasing greatly, in respect to the case of sinners; but it is very far from being equal to what it ought to be. There is great need of more copious showers of divine grace, on the church, and on the world. "The glory of God must yet cover the earth, as the waters fill the sea." His people, therefore, are now called in a pressing manner, to unite their prayers and exertions. The command is, "Ye that make mention of the Lord keep not silence, and give Him no rest, till He establish, and till He make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” He is now causing many of His servants to say, "For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth."

2. If the wicked are not to be annihilated, but eternally punished, we may learn the vast importance of apprizing them of their guilt and danger. The Holy Scriptures reflect sufficient light on this mournful case. The universality of sin, and the total depravity of every human being, are truths clearly revealed and powerfully impressed there. At the judgment day, sinners will see that it was not for the want of light, on their own case, that

66

they remained in darkness. It is a chosen darkness-not liking to retain God in their knowledge-saying to the Almighty, Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. God warns men not to sin against Him, by His commandments and prohibitions, by His threatnings and judgments. He presses them to embrace Christ, and to flee from the wrath to come, by the most tender expostulations-the most affecting invitations-and by the glorious promises of eternal life. He has barred the road to endless destruction in such a manner, that it requires great determination and perseverence to reach that dreadful place, which is "prepared for, the devil and his angels !" Why will ye die?" is sounded in the ears of sinners from day to day. The glorious door of salvation, through divine grace, is opened wide to mankind. The Lord may truly say, "What more could I have done for my vineyard, that I have not done in it? When I looked that it should bring forth grapes; wherefore, brought it forth wild grapes?" In a word, every warning that sinners need, is contained in the Scriptures. In addition to these Holy Oracles, He hath appointed religious instructors, to press men with every possible argument, “in season and out of season," to repent, believe, and turn to God. Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, and ordinary ministers have been, and now are, employed in this important business. Their instruction, in all ages, has been, "Say ye to the wicked, It shall be ill with him." But to penitents, they have always been directed to say, in the name of the Lord, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isa. 1. 18. To the obstinate, they have always been directed to proclaim, that the wrath of God is revealed from heaven, against all ungodliness and unrighteousnes of men"-to say, "Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the

Jew first, and also of the Gentile." Rom. 1. 18. chap. 2. 5. It is the united voice of the ministers of the word, "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ's stead, be yo reconciled to God." 2 Cor. 5. 20. The Scriptures con tain suitable instructions for uninspired ministers, in relation to all the duties which are incumbent on them. They are required to explain and enforce every doctrine, duty, promise and threatening, contained in their instructions; and to inform men, how they may obtain happiness and avoid misery. In this case, their instructions are ample; being no less than the whole word of God. They have no discretionary power in this matter-no right to depart from their instructions in the least degree. They are neither to add nor diminish, on the pain of God's eternal displeasure; for He saith, "If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book. And if And if any man take away from the words of the book-God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." Rev. 22. 18, 19. They are the best instructors, who adhere the most closely to the divine rule, in their life and doctrine. They have ample room to display all the talents they may possess, in study, argument and persuasion. There is no want of sufficient materials to convince men of sin-to apprize them of their danger, and to show them the way of life, if they themselves have an experimental acquaintance with God-with their own hearts, and with the Holy Scriptures. To leave any thing undone, which is in their power to do to convince sinners, is extremely wicked. The ministers of the glorious gospel, need great knowledge-they should be very active; and feel at all times the constraining love of Christ. They are appointed to RR.

watch for souls, and they must give an account to God for all their ministrations. To have immortal souls perish through their neglect, is an affecting consideration. Their hearts should be filled with benevolence to men; zeal for the glory of God, and the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom, should animate them to unwearied exertions. In instructing and warning men, no opportunity should be neglected. The harvest truly is great; but faithful laborers are few. It is a glorious thing to be employed, as humble instruments, in saving the souls of men. They will be crowns of joy to faithful ministers, in the day of Christ. Every thing should be done, so that, if sinners are lost, the fault may be their own.

3. If the wicked are not to be annihilated, but eternally punished, we may see the great iniquity of deceiving them. False doctrines lead to death-eternal death! It is, therefore, highly criminal to tell sinners, that all they have to dread is annihilation. They would not very generally adopt such pernicious principles, unless they were inculcated by learned, artful, studious, and active men. It is true of such teachers, that "they are wise to do evil ; but to do good, they have no knowledge." Alas! "they know not what they do!" The depravity of their hearts makes them reason on divine subjects in a manner that is unworthy of the learning and abilities which they possess. In this fallen world, many whose natural powers and acquirements are eminent, appear to be profoundly ignorant in respect to the interesting science of divinity. In their case, that apostolical saying is true, "Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their hearts." Eph. 4. 18. As they do not love to retain God in their knowledge, they rack their minds to invent schemes which are adapted to soothe their