dial to the fainting, or a pardon to the condemned malefactor. But the unbelieving sinner, who is an enemy to conviction, and the self-righteous professor, who does not feel his need of conversion, will have but a light esteem for the words of eternal life. When the gospel feast was prepared, and an invitation sent unto all people, multitudes made light of it; some going to their farms, and others to their merchandise. Those who are indifferent about the salvation of their souls, will always be indifferent about the gospel; and here it is we find another cause of their contempt. 4. In some instances it arises from a spirit of profaneness, and of desperate wickedness. I hate him, says Ahab of Micaiah; for he never prophesieth good concerning me, but evil, The word is contrary to them, and they are contrary to the word. It reproves them, and they cannot bear it; it condemns them, and they abhor it. Knowledge aggravates sin, increases guilt, and raises a tempest in the soul; therefore they do what they can to preclude and shut it out. Stephen's hearers were resolved not to be convinced, they therefore cried out with a loud voice, in order to drown his words, and then stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city, and stoned him. What they would not practise, they did not desire to know. Thus it is with many who are determined on their evil courses, and resolved to do whatsoever goeth out of their own mouth, and who therefore will not hear what proceedeth out of the mouth of God. They are posting to destruction, and nothing shall stop them in the way. III. The sin and danger of such conduct. The wise man has remarked, that none but "fools despise wisdom and instruction;" and to despise that wisdom which cometh from above, and that instruction which God giveth, is an instance of still greater pre sumption. It is also threatened with the most awful punishment: "They refused to hear my words, therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon them which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them." Prov. i. 7. Jer. xi. 10, 11. 1. Those who despise prophesyings, despise what God has honoured and will continue to honour. Not only angels, but the God of angels vouchsafes his presence in the assemblies of the saints; the former to learn, the latter to guide and direct, to own and bless. In all places where I record my name, saith the Lord, I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee. The conversion of sinners, the recovery of backsliders, and the edification of believers, are all instances in which he gives testimony to the word of his grace. Thus also is that promise fulfilled: As the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth, and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater; so shall my word be that goeth forth out of mouth : it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Ísa. lv. 10, 11. my 2. Those who despise prophesyings, are guilty of despising divine authority. God's word is his royal law, and demands the most solemn regard. Hear, oh Israel, says he, and I will speak. The gospel is called the wisdom of God in a mystery; yea, it is both the wisdom of God, and the power of God. It is a revelation of his grace and mercy, the overflowing of his blessedness to a guilty world. Its being dispensed to us by men of like passions with ourselves, who are subject to the same infirmities, and need the same salvation, is an instance of divine compassion and condescension; in which God consults the weakness of our frame, remembering that we are dust. He therefore that despiseth his ministers, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto them his Holy Spirit. 1 Thess. iv. 8. 3. Despising the word is injurious to our own souls, as well as dishonouring to God. Prophesying or preaching is particularly designed for our benefit; for it pleaseth God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. It is the word of reconciliation sent to a rebellious world, commanding all men. every where to repent, and beseeching them to be reconciled to God. To despise or neglect this message, is to neglect our best interests, both in this world, and that which is to come. If the gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; and a lost world is as nothing in comparison of a lost soul. Blessed is the man that heareth me, says wisdom, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors for whoso findeth me, findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord; but he that sinneth against me, wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me, love death. Prov. viii. 34-36. 4. Those who despise the word, shall themselves be despised, and the contempt they have shown to it will at length fall upon their own heads. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh, the Lord shall have them in derision; he shall speak to them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Ministers who warned, admonished, and instructed them, shall one day despise them, even as they are now despised of them. Their fellow sinners who once applauded, shall hereafter reproach them; and God himself shall return their contempt. As a dream when one awaketh, so, oh Lord, when thou awakest thou shalt despise their image. In despising and rejecting the gospel, they have judged themselves unworthy of eternal life, and they shall never possess it. The Lord will laugh at their calamity, and mock when their fear cometh. They would not come to him for a blessing, and they shall depart from him with a curse. Consider this, all ye that forget God, lest he tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh; for if they escaped not, who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven. Psal. 1. 22. Heb. xii. 25. Instead of daring to despise, it becomes us to esteem and prize the word of God above every thing; and to part with every thing, rather than part with that, to buy the truth and sell it not. In order to this, it becomes us to seek a spiritual and heavenly frame, that we may discern the beauty, and taste the sweetness of the word; and if we truly love it, we shall meditate therein both day and night. The word preached will be peculiarly delightful, and we shall find it attended with a special blessing. The Lord himself loveth the gates of Zion, more than all the dwellings of Jacob; and if our hearts be there also, he will meet with us and he will bless us. Yea, blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple. Psal. Ixv. 4. O, may the gospel swiftly spread, Let those who never felt before, Arise, thou Sun of righteousness, SERMON X. 1 THESSALONIANS V. 21. SOME things are to be proved by reason and argument: I speak as unto wise men, says the apostle, judge ye what I say. Others are to be proved by rule, especially by the infallible rule of God's word. To the law and to the testimony, says the prophet: if they speak not according to this word, it is because they have no light in them. Some things are to be proved by experience: I have bought five yoke of oxen, says the man who wished to be excused from attending the marriage supper, and I go to prove them. Thus we prove the sweetness of honey by the taste, and the bitterness of affliction by experience. And when we are commanded to "prove all things," it may refer to such sort of experiments. Religious things are not to be taken upon trust; we are to consider, and to weigh them in a just and equal balance. Before we receive or embrace them, let them undergo a strict and impartial examination. I. Let us notice what those things are, which we are required to bring to the test. The exhortation comprehends "all things;" and amongst these, the following may more especially be intended 1. Ourselves, or the state of our souls before God. The work of examination should certainly begin at home. Examine yourselves, says the apostle, whether ye be in the faith; prove your ownselves: know ye not |