long ere now have perished from the earth. But all his enemies could
do nothing effectually against him. They could only do what God's
counsel had determined to be done.

Christianity hath still its enemies; of the same character with those
of old. They have overthrown the faith of some. Others they may
seduce. That "scoffers should arise, in the last days walking after
their own lusts; that some should deny the Lord that bought them, and
that many should follow their pernicious ways," were foretold by an
inspired apostle, and "they turned to us for a testimony."

We are called a Christian people. "If we believe the gospel, happy are
we if we obey it." The generality profess to believe it. But how is it
received? Do not many neglect it? Do not some who assent to its truth,
"go their way to their farms, or their merchandize," regardless of it,
neither confessing Christ before men, nor seeking an interest in him?

If the gospel is from God, to such neglecters Of the grace it offers,
it must be "a favor of death unto death!" And is not their number
great? Doth it not increase from year to year, from age to age? To
these who are taken up with sensual pleasures, and with minding only
earthly things, St. Paul would say "even weeping you are enemies to
the cross of Christ, and your end will be destruction."

Let us be persuaded to bring home these considerations to ourselves.
We are deeply interested in them. "The secrets of our hearts will ere
long be judged by the gospel of Christ." To those who will not receive
and obey the gospel, we have only to say, "Notwithstanding, be ye sure
of this, that the Kingdom of God is come nigh unto you."