awares, it gives, on its actual approach, no Preparation for

time for preparation.

judgment is no light and easy business. He who is to stand his trial at an earthly bar, takes time to arrange his defence, to collect his evidence, to press his pleas: he would tremble to have his preparations cut short, and to be, without delay or respite, hurried before his judge. How much more awful is the tribunal of the Son of God: how much more strict the investigation which shall be made by him: how much more momentous the destinies which hang upon his decision! Would the most thoughtless of you like to be summoned, with his sins upon his head, to that presence? Why then does he

dare to sport upon the brink of ruin? There is much to be done, before mortal, guilty man can be just with God. He must deeply repent him of his sins. He must feel that godly ingenuous sorrow, which flows, not from the fear of punishment, but from a sense of the ingratitude shown to him, who has been his kind and gracious Father. He must look by simple faith to the Lord Jesus Christ, laying hold on his merits, and seeking to be found in him, not having on his own righteousness, but "the righteousness which is of God by faith." To this repentance and faith, there are the most formidable obstacles. The evil heart of unbelief must be changed; the power of Satan must be broken; the

force of worldly lust and evil habit must be conquered; nothing of which can be achieved, except by the mighty grace of God the Holy Spirit. Is all this to be put off to the last moment? What evidence could you then have that you were in earnest ? Is it safe then-is it wise to delay? Is it possible, while the last trumpet is sounding, and the Son of God is descending, and the graves are opening, and the solemnities of judgment are beginning, that genuine repentance and lively faith should then at last be implanted? Repentance! yes, repentance will then come indeed; but it will be that biting, torturing, despairing remorse, the assured fearful looking-for of eternal judgment and

fiery condemnation. Faith! yes, faith will then be come; but it will be the wretched certainty of all that had been heretofore disbelieved the necessity of renouncing sin; of separation from the world; of decision in religion; the fatal consequences of neglecting Christ, of resisting truth-all that the ministers of God proclaim, and which is now so coldly received, will then be believed by undone sinners, when it is too late to rescue them from the devouring flame. For as that day finds you, so will you continue through eternity: there will then be no possibility of change: he that has been filthy, must be filthy still. Further, the danger of sinners is increased, because they are expressly told

You

that judgment will be sudden. You are not informed, as I have shown you, of the precise period of its arrival; but you are assured that "the Lord is at hand." However unprepared any one of you may be, he will not be able to assign his unpreparedness to a want of warning. have all the warning you can reasonably expect; warning enough to convict youif that day should find you unready-not of neglect only, but of wilful impenitence. You have now the opportunity of escape; you have now the blessings of the gospel offered; of which you shall none of you be ignorant-Christ died for your sins; he suffered, in your place, the punishment of your transgressions you are guilty, but I