if the two come together, what then? If there is to be a collision,
as there must be, which will go down? Christ tells us that this
divine Spirit will teach us that righteousness will triumph over sin,
and that there will be a judgment which will destroy that which is
the weaker, though it seems the stronger. Now I take it that the
judgment which is spoken about here is not merely a future
retribution beyond the grave, but that, whilst that is included, and
is the principal part of the idea, we are always to regard the
judgment of the hereafter as being prepared for by the continual
judgment here.

And so there are two thoughts, a blessed one and a terrible one,
wrapped up in that word--a blessed thought for us sinful men,
inasmuch as we may be sure that the divine righteousness, which is
given to us, will judge us and separate us day by day from our sins;
and a terrible thought, inasmuch as if I, a sinful man, do not make
friends with and ally myself to the divine righteousness which is
proffered to me, I shall one day have to front it on the other side
of the flood, when the contact must necessarily be to me destruction.

Time does not allow me to dwell upon these solemn matters as I fain
would, but let me gather all I have been feebly trying to say to you
now into one sentence. This threefold conviction, in conscience,
understanding, and heart, of sin which is mine, of righteousness
which may be mine, and of judgment which must be mine--this threefold
conviction is that which makes the world into a Church. It is the
message of Christianity to each of us. How do you stand to it? Do you
hearken to the Spirit who is striving to convince you of these? Or do
you gather yourselves together into an obstinate, close-knit
unbelief, or a loose-knit indifference which is as impenetrable?