II. Let us attend still more to the DOCTRINE inculcated by this preacher. Ye shall not surely die on the day of transgression. Bold assertion, without a single argument to support it. The death contained in the threatening was, doubtless, moral death. They did die to their former innocence, to the sweet communion which they had before enjoyed with the Father, to all the enjoyments of their beautiful garden of fruits and flowers. The Bible says, “To be carnally minded is death;” it is termed a “death in trespasses and sins;” “The wages of sin is death;” “You hath he quickened who were dead;” “We know we have passed from death unto life.” This is the death threatened, and the Almighty assured Adam that he would suffer it on the VERY DAY he sinned. But the preacher said, No, all is false, there is no punishment in this world, no hell, the wages of sin is not death.
III. We will now take notice of the hearers addressed by this preacher. This we have in the context. And the serpent said unto the woman, “Ye shall not surely die.” That Eve had not so much experience as Adam, is evident; and so she was not equally able to withstand temptation. This was doubtless the reason why the tempter chose her, with whom he might hope to be successful. Probably he took the time when she was separated from her husband.
That this preacher has always had the greatest success in the dark and ignorant parts of the earth, is evident; his kingdom is a kingdom of darkness. He is a great enemy of light. He will not permit his disciples to hear a religious or philosophical discourse, read a religious or philosophical book or paper, that contradicts his creed—they must be like the old knight, read only one side of the guide-board, and if they happen to get an idea the old creed don’t sanction, they are called heretics. They may think, but not out of a given circle; they may reason, provided they reason as the preacher does. And the consequence is, that where the people think, reason and read least, Orthodoxy has its truest adherents, and where the people think, reason and read most, the doctrine of Holy Writ is most prevalent, “Behold the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth, much more the wicked and sinner.” Prov. xi. 31.
IV. The instruments or mediums made use of by the preacher, will now be considered. Every person, creed and institution, that propagates the doctrine that men shall not surely die on the day of transgression, is an instrument of the father of lies.
1. Calvinism, Arminianism, Mormonism, Catholicism, Mahommedanism and Heathenism, tell us that this world is not one of retribution, that God does not here reward virtue or punish vice. They unite in teaching that this life is a state of probation, of trial, and of course no one is punished till his probation ends, his trial is closed. This is the deceiver’s first sermon gone to seed.
2. The preachers of all these isms are also his instruments. They are faithful to their father’s cause, and he is much attached to them. If one opposes their creed, some of them will at once exhibit the spirit of the devil.
3. The earth is deluged with books, pamphlets and papers, teaching that men shall not be punished on the day of transgression.
INFERENCES.
1. That the devil is not dead, but still lives, and is able to preach as well as ever, Ye shall not die on the day of transgression.
2. Orthodoxy is no new fangled scheme, but can boast of great antiquity.