With equal reason might the hand of God in creation be denied, because different grades are found among creatures, and some have greatly the advantage over others; and in providence because its distributions are unequal.  That these inequalities are observable, and that they are the work of God, will be acknowledged by all who believe the being of a God, and his providential government.  If any are disposed to call these in question, we turn from them.  To reason with them would be in vain.  “That which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  For the invisible things of him, from the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”

* Vid.  Discourse on Romans, ii. 11.

A scoffing age may cry out against Christianity.  To some it may be a “stumbling block; to others foolishness.”  Men may exclaim against the gospel, and against the doctrines and duties of it, and the means which have been used of God to propagate it.  Still “the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”  So it hath been in times past; so it will be in times to come. The foolish, the weak and base things of the world, have confounded and brought to nought, all the world termed wise, and great, and mighty.

Imperial Rome at the summit of her greatness, could not crush the cause of him who died on Calvary!  “Had this counsel or work been of men, it would have come to nought.”  Probably the name of Jesus, would long ere now have perished from the earth.  But all his enemies could do nothing effectually against him.  They could only do what God’s counsel had determined to be done.

Christianity hath still its enemies; of the same character with those of old.  They have overthrown the faith of some.  Others they may seduce.  That “scoffers should arise, in the last days walking after their own lusts; that some should deny the Lord that bought them, and that many should follow their pernicious ways,” were foretold by an inspired apostle, and “they turned to us for a testimony.”

We are called a Christian people.  “If we believe the gospel, happy are we if we obey it.”  The generality profess to believe it.  But how is it received?  Do not many neglect it?  Do not some who assent to its truth, “go their way to their farms, or their merchandize,” regardless of it, neither confessing Christ before men, nor seeking an interest in him?

If the gospel is from God, to such neglecters Of the grace it offers, it must be “a favor of death unto death!” And is not their number great?  Doth it not increase from year to year, from age to age?  To these who are taken up with sensual pleasures, and with minding only earthly things, St. Paul would say “even weeping you are enemies to the cross of Christ, and your end will be destruction.”