Lord. And if we, being made the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, serve him "in newness of life," in "holiness and righteousness all our days," "walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless," it will be well with us. The Lord will keep us in perfect peace; for he will never suffer the righteous to be moved. Storms and tempests may rise on every side, our spiritual enemies may compass us round about; but the name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run in thither and are safe. Every succeeding wave of trouble will but waft them nearer heaven; and when they come to the rapid streams of the Jordan of Death, they will be enabled to gain the haven of Eternal Bliss, and to appear perfect before the God of gods in Sion; for the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance.

HAVE WE NO MONITORS?

MATT. iii, 7.

Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? JOHN the Baptist was a minister between the two Dispensations; being greater than any of the Jewish prophets, but inferior to the least of the inspired ministers of the New Testament, Matt. xi, 11. The scene of his labours was the wilderness of Judea, the subject of his preaching was "repentance," and the announcement of the approaching "kingdom of heaven," or gospel dispensation. His language was authoritative, his appearance singular, the attendance upon his ministry numerous, for "there went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan; and such were the effects produced by his preaching, that " they were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins." John, however, particularly cautioned them against depending upon this ordinance for salvation; he told them that his baptism was only symbolical, and directed them to the Lamb of God for spiritual regeneration. "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance," (said this burning and shining light,) "but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire."

Amongst the rest who came to be baptized of John, was a number of the Pharisees and Sadducees, the former of whom were rigid moralists, "trusting in themselves that they were righteous, and despising others;" and the latter a sort of semi-infidels, who did not believe in the doctrine of the resurrection, nor in the existence of angels and spirits. John did not, however, refuse to administer the ordinance to them; but when he saw them coming to his baptism, he said unto them, "O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" &c.

I. What is meant by the term "wrath to come?"

1. We scarcely need observe that the term here used means the wrath of God. It must be in the nature of things, that a being of infinite purity must continually be displeased at sin. He cannot consistently with his nature and attributes look upon sin but with disapprobation. What is meant by the term "wrath to come," is not for man fully to comprehend. Who can have any competent idea of what those must suffer upon whom the Lord will eternally pour out " the fierceness of his wrath?" The destruction of the old world, of Sodom and Gomorrah, and of Jerusalem, are specimens of the power of Jehovah when exercised against the ungodly; but this "wrath to come" denotes not temporal punishment, but it implies the loss of heaven and of every thing that is good, Matt. xiii, 49, 50, XXV, 46. One would suppose that if this were all that was implied by the term " wrath to come," it would be sufficient to deter men from committing sin. To be eternally driven from the presence and glory of Him who is the fountain of all good; to be deprived for ever of the hope of salvation by the merits of Him who gave himself a ransom for all; to have to bid an everlasting farewell to the benign influences of that Holy Spirit, who was sent into the world to be the director and comforter of the pious; to be debarred for ever from the society of angels and the spirits of the just, amongst whom perhaps may be dear relatives and friends; how dreadful the idea! Oh, the depravity of those hearts that will purchase the momentary pleasures of sin at so dear a rate!

"

2. Wrath to come" includes also a separation from all that affords pleasure in this world. When the wicked are prosperous, and are "flourishing like a green bay-tree,"

they appear as if they would never be moved. Being clothed in purple and fine linen, and faring sumptuously every day, they receive the praise of men, and are pleased with the "smooth-complexioned flattery;" and "this is their portion in this life." But, alas! for them, if they become the subjects of" wrath to come," they will find no sensual pleasures, no midnight revels, no convivial parties, no flattery! 3. "Wrath to come" will be attended with extreme torment. "Their worm dieth not, and their fire is not quenched." Conscience will crowd the memory of the unhappy beings with all the sins and negligences of a misspent life, each of which will sting like an adder and bite like a serpent. The fire of hell, kindled by the almighty power of a sin-avenging God, will spread its flames around them. Waves of Divine vengeance will eternally toss them, and yet to whatever part of the horrid cavern they may be driven, they will still find themselves engulphed in "upper, nether and surrounding fire." Who can dwell with devouring fire? Who can endure everlasting burnings?

4. And this "wrath to come" will have to be endured amongst companions the most wicked and malicious. "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." If, when permitted by the Lord, the devil inflicted such cruel punishment upon Job, is it not reasonable to suppose that he will as much as possible enhance the torments of the damned? And if he could cause men to wallow and foam by his influence in this life, how will he torture those whom he gets to his own place!

5. Lastly: It will ever be "wrath to come." "The smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and for ever." Oh, what a thought! what an awful reflection! What! no end? At the expiration of millions of ages, will there be no hope? No! the pendulum of hell will perpetually vibrate in the ears of the damned-"wrath to come!" "wrath to come!" "wrath to come!"

"Nothing is worth a thought beneath,
But how we may escape the death

That never, never dies."

II. What is meant by fleeing from the "wrath to come?" 1. As sin is the cause of all misery both in this world and that which is to come, if we intend to escape from the "wrath to come," we must depart from iniquity, Isai. lv, 7;

Ezek. xviii, 30; Luke, xiii, 5. We must also flee by faith to Jesus Christ, who still receives and pardons sinners, and who alone is able to save from the guilt, power and consequences of sin. He is the sinner's only refuge: he is a Saviour, and a great one, but there is no other; Acts, iv. 12.

2. Thus to flee from the "wrath to come" requires resolution. When a person perceives danger, he determines not to suffer any thing to hinder him from effecting his escape from it. And when a person sees into the evil and danger of sin, he resolves, in spite of the world, the flesh and the devil, to flee for his life. In vain do his old associates sneer at him; in vain are the difficulties of the way suggested to his mind; he feels his situation, and determines, by the grace of God, to effect his purpose.

3. To flee implies action. A man that is apprized of imminent danger, puts forth his strength and agility. And when a sinner is convinced of the error of his way, he uses all his power and energy to flee from the "wrath to come." He is aware that he must be saved by grace through faith, and that not of himself, both the grace and the faith being the gifts of God; yet he also knows that the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and that the violent take it by force; hence he cries mightily unto God, and urges with vehemence the penitent's prayer, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" and knowing that "faith cometh by hearing," he diligently attends the ministration of the Word, and all the means of grace.

4." Fleeing" denotes expedition. When a man is warned of danger, he of course immediately hurries from the place. And when a sinner sees that there is but one step between him and eternal destruction, he is most anxious to arise and depart. He does not stay to confer with flesh and blood; but feeling his danger, he throws aside every weight, and runs crying-life! life! eternal life! None ever thus fled to Jesus Christ but they were received, none ever came thus earnestly to the throne of grace but they found mercy and grace. Have we ever properly heard the alarm, flee, flee! flee from the "wrath to come?" If we have not taken the alarm, it is because of our inattention and carelessness.

III. Who hath warned us to flee from the "wrath to come?"

1. The Lord hath faithfully warned us, by the declarations and expostulations of his own Holy Word; Ezekiel, xxxiii, 11; Micah, ii, 10; Matt. vii, 13; Acts, iii, 19; Eph. v, 14, and many other passages of the same kind.

2. We are repeatedly warned by the Lord's ministers. These dispense the word of truth, and give to each of their hearers his portion of meat in due season; they "reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine." They are sometimes called the Lord's watchmen, Ezek. iii, 17. Here we see that it is one of the most important duties of a preacher, to warn the people, warn them from me." Ministers are spiritual seedsmen, Matt. xiii, 3. Never was there a more suitable metaphor used to illustrate the character and office of a preacher of the Gospel than that of the sower. The sower soweth the Word." Having himself received the Word, he declares to the people all the truth of God, the promises and threatenings, the blessings and curses, the expostulations and warnings. He sows not sparingly, but continues to explain, illustrate and enforce, that he may by all means save some." "The field is the world." This is his parish, here is his sphere of labour, nor can he be confined within any narrower limits. While he is actuated by the love of God, wherever he sees sinners in their sins he must needs warn them. Ministers are Christ's ambassadors, 2 Cor. v, xix, &c. They are sent to negociate with sinners, and their language in effect is as follows: O ye guilty, miserable race! you have rendered yourselves incapable of enjoying the society of angels and God. You have exposed yourselves to the 'wrath to come.' You are poor, and miserable, and wretched, and blind and naked." You have fought against God, and are rebels under the sentence of eternal death. But hear ye the Word of the Lord. God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, and he hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now, then, we beseech you, in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For God's sake, for Christ's sake, for your soul's sake, lay down the weapons of your rebellion, and be reconciled to your God.'"

3. The Lord warns us by the Dispensations of his Providence. He has the hearts of all men in his hands, and all things are under his control. Yet he leaves free the human will; he will not force us to flee from the "wrath