sacramental character, which it may have received, will adhere to it for its greater confusion, and enable its infidel companions to upbraid it for all eternity in the language of Scripture: "This man began to build, and was not able to finish." (Luke xiv. 30.) Lastly, all that Ezechiel foretold shall be fulfilled in its regard: "They shall strip thee of thy garments, and take away the instruments of thy glory, and shall let thee go naked and full of disgrace. (Ezech. xxiii. 26, 29.)
II. Consider the terror of the sentence which will be pronounced against the wicked: "Cast ye out the unprofitable servant into the exterior darkness." (Matt, xxv. 30.) Ah! wretched state! How will the poor soul feel on that occasion! The devils will instantly hurry it to the bottomless pit. Then there will be no remedy, no escape, no hope for you, as yet there is; take advantage of it therefore now, while you can.
III. Consider the happy condition of the just at that awful time. The sentence which they will hear affords sufficient subject for meditation. "Because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." (Matt, xxv. 23.) Imagine what joy that will be, and if you aspire to it, imitate those who will deserve it.
The General Judgment. I.
I. Why has God instituted a general judgment? t. To manifest to all mankind the glory and power of the humbled Redeemer. " The Father hath committed all judgment to the Son, that all men may honor the Son" (John v. 22), and that He who appeared before all men for their salvation might also appear before them in the glorious character of universal judge, and that the wicked
