440 THE VAIN REFUGE OE SINNERS. DISC. VI. and necessary, to punish 'me with everlasting sorrows. If I look at the power of God, it is a dreadful sight: Eternal and almighty power, that can break through rocks and mountains to inflict vengeance upon the guilty, and stands engaged by his honour tobreak my rebellious spirit with unknown torments. If I look at his goodness or his love, it is love and goodness that I have despised and- abused, and it is now changed into divine fury. If I look at the face of Jesus, and find there the correspond- ent features of his Father, I shall then hate to see it for this very reason, because it bears his Father's image, who is so terrible to my thoughts. I shall neither be able to bear the sight of God, or of his fairest copy, that is, Je- sus his Son, because I am so shamefully unlike them both, and besides, I have affronted their majesty, and despised their mercy. " How painful and smarting will be the reflection of my heart in that day, when I shall remember, that Jesus called out to me from heaven, by the messengers of his grace and said, " Behold me, behold me, look unto me from the ends of the earth, and be saved ;" Is. xlv. 22. But now he is armed with a commission of vengeance, and he strikes terror and exquisite pain intomy soul with every frown, so that I shall wish to be for ever hid from the face of the Lamb, for the great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to endure this wrath, to stand before his thunder, or bear the lightning of this day ? Alas, how miserable must I be, by an everlasting necessity, if I cannot bear the countenance of God and Christ, which is the spring of unchangeable happiness to all the saints and the blessed angels ? Oh may I timely secure the love of my God, and gain an interest in the favour and salvation of the blessed Jesus ! Here, Oh Lord, at thy foot I lay down all the weapons of my former rebellions ; I implore thy love through the interest of thy Son, the great Mediator : Let me see the light of thy countenance, and the smiles of thy face : Let me see a reconciled God, and let him tell me, that my sins are all forgiven ; then shall I not be afraid to meet the coun- tenance of him that sits upon the throne, or the Lamb, when'Christ shall 'return from heaven to punish the impe- nitent rebels against,diviue grace." Reflection Iv. " IIow hopeless, as well as distressed, 5
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=