DIRECTIONS, &c. &c. EZEKIEL XXXiii. 11: Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? IT has been the wonder of many, to read in the holy scripture how few will be saved ; and that the great- est part even of those that are called, will be shut out of heaven, and tormented with the devils in eternal fire. Infidels believe not this, and therefore must feel it. Those that do believe it, are forced to cry out with St. Paul, ' O the depth of riches both of the wisdomand the knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out ! (a) But nature itself teaches us all to lay the blame of evil works upon the doers ; and therefore when we see any heinous thing committed, a principle of justice provokes us to enquire after him that did it. If we saw a man killed and cut in pieces by the way, we should presently ask, O who did this cruel deed? If a town were set on fire, you would ask, What wicked wretch did this? So when we read that the most will be fire - brands of hell for ever, we must needs think with ourselves, How comes this to pass? Who is it that is so cruel as to be the cause of such a thing as this? And we can meet with few that will own the guilt ; it is indeed confessed by all that Sa- tan is the cause: but that resolves not the doubt, because he is not the principal cause. He does not force men to sin, but tempts them to it, and leaves it to their own wills, whether they will do it or not. It lies therefore (a) Romans xi. 33.
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