Fearful Things

    A great man for our enemy. He has power to do us a great disadvantage. And this people are often afraid of. But is it not a thousand times worse to have the great God our enemy? His power is unlimited.

    There is a great deal of evil in a prison. It is against that which is sweet and dear to us, even our liberty. Especially to be cast, into a dark dungeon, as Jeremiah was. But what is that to the prison of hell? To lie for ever under the custody of him that has the power of death, which is the devil?

    To be under banishment is an evil thing. To be driven from our homes and habitations, from wife and children who would help to comfort us. To be forced to wander in deserts and mountains —how sad! But to be banished for ever from the presence of God, and Christ, and the holy angels, is far worse. What must it be to have God say, "Depart, ye cursed?"

    There is much evil in reproach and shame. This our Lord Jesus "endured" for us. But this is nothing compared with the "shame and everlasting contempt " that is in hell, Dan. xii. 2.

    Tormenting pain is an evil: sometimes by bodily distempers; sometimes by persecutions. But that is nothing to the torments of hell. Deny the truth, and you run into hell. Stand to it, and you fall into persecution.

    Death is evil in itself. Clothed with such and such circumstances it is very terrible. But that is nothing compared with eternal death—the second death. Ever, ever, ever dying; but never dead.