We proceed to notice,

III. The DIFFERENT TREATMENT which the prophet's message would receive. This is intimated in the text; " And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear."

1. It is supposed that some would hear. And doubtless this was the case, even among that degenerate people.-There is something in God's word, when faithfully dispensed, adapted to arrest attention, and to excite inquiry. This is not difficult to be accounted for. It is a message which interests the feelings of men: they have some conviction of its truth; they perceive it to be suited to their state; that it is designed and calculated only to promote their good. There is something also in the authority by which the word of God is enforced, the compassion which it displays, and the inestimable blessings which it unfolds, which tends to account for the fact, that where it is preached with fidelity, it will usually be heard.

It must be remarked, however, that nothing but Divine influence can give the word real success, or render it effectual to salvation. Paul may plant, and Apollos water; but God, and he only, "giveth the increase." How desirable to behold the power of the Gospel in its quickening and transforming effects! When the word of God is spoken, may we feel its energy in our hearts, and be able to testify from personal experience, that it comes to us "in demonstration of the Spirit, and with power!" The truth is heard to good purpose, when it is not only heard, but received; received with meekness, as the ingrafted word, which is able to save the soul."

2. It is supposed that some would not hear.-This is very clearly implied: "Whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear; for they are most rebellious." The perverseness of their character is suggested as the ground of this painful presumption. Being "most rebellious," there was too much reason to apprehend they would refuse the prophet's message, and turn away in proud contempt: they would not hear.

In some instances, this is literally the case among us. We have known persons who have attended a place of worship for years, but have given up their attendance. And why? The minister was too faithful: what he said came near, and touched too closely. In other words, they were disturbed in their course of sin; their conscience was rendered uneasy; and hence, they will hear no longer. They turn away from the message; and desert the place where once they listened to it, at least with forbearance.

Others there are who continue to hear; who sit under the sound of a minister's voice; but this is all. They pay a sort of respectful attention to the word, but steel their hearts against it: they refuse compliance, and obedient regard to the revealed will of God. Is it not thus, when persons hear the Gospel from Sabbath to Sabbath, and yet make light of it? When they hear much against sin, and yet go on to practise it? When they hear much of the Saviour, and yet despise and reject him?

It is not easy to point out the real guilt of this conduct: it is guilt of an aggravated kind; far beyond that of those to whom the word of the Gospel never comes! And what shall we say of its folly? Men are censured, as acting foolishly, when they act

in opposition to their own interest and happiness. That man assuredly does this, who turns away from the word of God; who refuses the balm of his diseased spirit, and rejects the only foundation of eternal hope! And what think you of its danger? "See that ye refuse not him that speaketh: for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, how much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven?" The danger incurred by refusing the word of the Lord, by turning away from the Gospel of his grace, is tremendously great: and ruin is inevitable: "for if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?" Jesus Christ, exhibited in the word of the Gospel, is the only Saviour; "neither is there salvation in any other :" reject his atonement, and "there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." Go on trifling with God, and your souls, and eternity, and what remains, "but a certain fearful looking for of judgment, and fiery indignation, which shall devour. the adversaries?"

We close the subject with a few words,

1. To impenitent transgressors.-All are transgressors we have all been rebellious," most rebellious," against the Lord our God, the Father,of our mercies. But do not some continue of the same character to this present hour? What remorse of conscience have you? What feeling of penitential regret? You are strangers to this: but if you remain such, it had been better for you, unspeakably better, if you had never been born!

Know you not the doom of impenitent transgres

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sors? "These shall go away into everlasting punishment." "In hell" they shall lift up their eyes, being in torment." They shall spend an eternity in unavailing anguish, "where their worm dieth not, and their fire is not quenched." Have you no care to avoid this wretched doom; this dismal alternative, of rejecting the Saviour and persisting in sin? Give yourselves to reflection: begin to pray; and let the first prayer of your soul be; Lord, save, or I perish!" "God be merciful to me a sinner!"

2. To mere professors we would say; You please yourselves with the thought that you are not most rebellious;" not obstinate and stout-hearted: but are you not deceived? Are you not dreaming that you are something, when in truth you are nothing? You hear the words of the Lord, but you will not do them. You pay outward respect to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but you refuse the compliance of the heart. We remind you of the parable of the two sons. The father said to them: "Go, work to-day in my vineyard." One of them replied, "I will not; but afterwards repented and went." The other said, "I go, sir; but went not." Which of them did the will of his father? Neither of them as he ought to have done : both were faulty in a high degree; but you perceive which was most to blame: he who said, "I go, sir; and went not." Take heed lest this be realized in some of you! What is a mere profession of religion, but a vague unmeaning promise, which only deludes the soul and seals its everlasting death! Rouse yourselves to serious recollection and thoughtful concern. What does it avail to call Jesus, "Lord, Lord," now; to bear his name, and to associate with his people; if ere long he shall say to

you, "Depart from me; I never knew workers of iniquity!"

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3. To young inquirers a word is seasonable.-You have learned something of the natural dislike of the heart to the truths of God; and this knowledge humbles you in the dust. The aversion which you once felt is in some degree corrected; and the desire of your soul is, that it may be entirely subdued. You hear the words of the Lord; you love to hear them you believe that the Lord hath spoken, and that he speaks to you: you want to know more of his will, and to be found yielding more cheerful compliance with it. Go on, and prosper! Still make an earnest inquiry, and foster a living hope. Disappointment shall not attend you. "Good and upright is the Lord; therefore will he teach sinners in the way:" such as you infallibly, who know your state, who feel your wants, and possess a humble penitent heart. "The meek will he guide in judgment; and the meek will he teach his way." Therefore take encouragement. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is sufficient for you. Look to it; confide in it. Hold on your way, and you shall be stronger and stronger.-Finally, the subject speaks,

4. To obedient hearers.-You know something of the truth: you love it, and you cordially fall in with it. The Gospel is the food and nourishment of your souls; the joy and rejoicing of your hearts. Who made you to differ from another? And what have you that you have not received? What debtors to Divine, distinguishing grace! Forget not, by no means forget, your strong obligations. They rise with every mercy that you receive, with every token of love that you enjoy. They rise with every moment of