We would gladly adopt it, and receive to the arms of charity all who appear to act honestly, could we see reason for it. But, in our apprehension, the word of truth condemns those who deny Christ, and declares that they will be denied by him before his heavenly Father. We read of damnable heresies—of those who are given up to strong delusions that they should believe a lie that they might be damned. —And find an express declaration, cutting off unbelievers from all hope.—"He that believeth not shall be damned."
Whatever God may do with those who have not the gospel, those to whom it is sent must believe, receive and obey it, or perish in their sins. This is so plainly and expressly declared in the word of truth, that we wonder doubts should arise in the minds of those who believe it.
Nor is it less strange, that confessing Christ should be thought a matter of indifference. Scripture is equally express respecting this matter, as the other. We have seen that under the former dispensation, God's covenant and the tokens of it were commanded, under penalty of excision from his people—That in the apostolic age, Christ was to be confessed, under penalty of being denied by him in the presence of God. These are not matters of doubt.
They are stoney ground hearers who "are offended when persecution ariseth because of the word." These bring no fruit to perfection.
If the terms of acceptance with Christ are the same now as formerly: If they are not lowered down from their original, a denial of him, either verbal or practical, will shut men out of his kingdom.
It becomes those who have a hope toward God while such their state, to consider these things. "It is a faithful saying—If we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him; If we deny him, he also will deny us."
SERMON XX.
"The fearful—shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death."
"The fearful—shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death."
The terms on which only we can be Christ's disciples are laid before us in the Scriptures, and we are counselled to consider them before we engage to be his.