Despisers of the Gospel

    "Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at naught all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh," etc.—Prov. i. 24—26.

    This is a grievous threatening: as full of dread and terror to all impenitent despisers of gospel offers as we shall, ordinarily, meet with in the book of God. It is like a flash of lightning in their faces, or as a clap of thunder in their ears, to rouse and awaken them out of their desperate security.

    And oh that I could tell how to speak of it, so that it might have that blessed effect accordingly!

    In my entrance upon it I do profess unto you, my beloved brethren, that I do it with fear and trembling.

    I am unwilling to it; choosing much rather to open the riches of free grace held forth in the promises, for the inviting, alluring poor sinners; But if not the threatening also, how shall we be found faithful? Some that will not be drawn must be driven. You will curse me hereafter if I should forbear.

    I am afraid of two things; lest it should not be done as it ought, with all tenderness and compassion; and, lest there should be any sinful mixture of my own "wrath" whilst I am publishing God's; for I have learned that "the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God;" and, lest it should prove to be "in vain." Some are in soul, as they are in body, easy to be wrought upon: others are hard and difficult, Acts ii. 37; vii. 54.

    The doctrine in general is this—that all who live and die despising and slighting gospel offers, will most surely perish.

    Is not this a serious, awakening subject? They are wisdom's words, spoken in the same breath, at the same time, in the' same place with the rest that go before. See how " Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets," etc., Prov. i. 20, 21, etc. And when wisdom is thus earnest in speaking, should not we be so, in some measure, in hearing? I pray, brethren, "take heed how ye hear." Hear with attention; hear with application. Mix faith, and mix fear with what shall be spoken.