EXIIORTATION TO BELIEVH. 241 once seriously to inquire after the nature and impor- tance of the terms proposed; can you escape? Shall you be delivered ? Will your latter end be peace ? The Lord knows it will be otherwise with you, and that to eternity. So the apostle assures us, " If our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost, in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." 2 Cor. 4 : 3, 4. If you receive not this word, if it be hid from you, it is from the power and efficacy of Satan upon your minds. And what will be the end 1 Perish you must, and that for ever. Remember the parable of our Savior, " What king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand ; or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an embassage, and desireth conditions of peace." Luke, 14 : 31, 32. He teaches in this parable the necessity that lies on us of seeking peace with God, whom we have provoked, and justly made to be our enemy ; as also our utter impotency to resist and withstand him when he shall come forth in a way of judgment and vengeance against us. But here lies a difference such as is allowed in all simili- tudes: amongst men at variance, it is not he who is the stronger and secure of success that sends to the weak- er, whom he hath in his power, to accept of terms of peace; but God, who is infinitely powerful, justly pro- voked, and able to destroy poor sinners in a moment, when now he is not very far off, but at the very door, sends himself an embassage with conditions of peace. And shall he be refused by# you? Will you yet neglect his offers 1 How great then will be your destruction ! Forgiveness. 11
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=