244 APPEARANCE BEFORE CÒD. [SERM. XIV' ed before him, and he shall separáte them one jrom an- other, as a shepherd divideth the sheepfrom the goats; Mat: xxv. 32. Jesus shall separate the one from the other : and what will the sinner say at that day? " I have on earth appeared before God among the saints, but now I must for ever dwell with my companions in ini- quity, with my partners in everlasting burnings : I am so like to the spirits of hell, now I am undressed, and divested of all disguise, that I see myself justly divided ,for ever from the saints, and a fit companion for none but devils." Owho can tell the torment that is contain- ed in such a self condemning reflection as this ? 3. Sinners appear now, and take no notice of God as Creator, or Christ as Mediator and Saviour; but at the appearance in judgment it will be impossible to stand before God, and not take notice of him. He appears there as a God of terrible and incensed majesty, and they must see him; and Jesus Christ sits there, and must be seen, not as the Saviour to secure them, but the Judge ready to condemn them to everlasting"puñishment; Rev. i. 7. assures us óf this day, and speaks of it as al- ready come: Behold, he cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see hint, and they alsò which piercedhim; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. I shall behold him, says the wretched Balaam, but not nigh; Num. xxiv. 17: not as my God, near me, but as my enemy, afar from me. "NowGod speaks with the voice of mercy in the church, and I turn a deaf ear to him, may the sinner say, but then it is the language of - justice and vengeance : O that my ears and my eyes were sealed up for ever! for his looks, his words, his actions, smite my soul through with a thousand tor- ments." It is impossible for the wicked to turn their eyes from God in that day, whereas now for a whole hour or two, in his worship, their hearts are not once fixed upon hire: A God of holiness will be seen on his seat 'of judgment; and the sinner who will not see, shall see, and be con- founded at the sight. Think of this, O my soul. ! and when thou findest thy thoughts wandering from God in the next duty of worship, take this awful hint to recai them again. 4. Now i e sinner appears before God as on a throne
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