246 APPEARANCE BEFORE, GOD. 'SEEM. RIV: fore the judgment seat, every soul who is found in his sins, falls under an eternal curse, and without repeal: that condemnation shall never be removed : for immedi- ate execution follows upon the sentence. Now the sinner appears before God, and hears such words of compassion as these are : " I delight not in the death of a sinner, I would have him turn and live; I propose the method of reconciliation and life:" But then the Lord sits upon a throne of judgment, and he shall laugh at the calamity of the wicked, and the obstinate sinner's distress; for pity and compassion are for ever hid from his eyes. Now, who is there among us able to bear the sight of a provoked God, who is infinite in power, terrible in majesty, and has abandoned all com- passion. C 5. The sinner now appears often before Gód ; there but once, and is for ever driven from his presence: Here, if you meet with no comfort fromGod in one or- dinance, you may find it in the next; but then you shall be punished with everlasting destruction frem the pre- sence of the Lord, and the glory of his power, 2 Thess. i. 9. How will you long for such seasons again, when you are for ever shut out from them? "O that I had but one Lord's-day more to spend in the service of God! how would I labour and wrestle with God in prayer, that I might become"a new creature!" But in hell the days are all alike, they are all dark and stormy; there is not one day of sunshine, not one sabbath, not one hour of rest. " How did I mock God on earth, must the sinner say, when I appeared before him ! and after I had mocked him 'once, I trifled `again and again ; but now I find he is a God who will not be mocked ; I see he is a terrible Majesty,. and I am driven for ever fromall his grace and compassion, and shall see his face no more/ Use. All the use that I shall make of this head, is only to urge upon your-minds a practical belief, and a lively sense of this appearance before God at judgment. Must we all stand before the judgment seat of Christ? Do we think we are ready? 'What answer doour .own consciences give, whén we make that enquiry ? Am I prepared to appear beforeGod the Judge? Have I but little hope, and yet can I satisfy myself to lie down at
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=