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 Fear which terminates in the Second Death.

Revelation xxi. 8.

“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.

Though Christ was born to be a king, his kingdom is not of this world.  He doth not persuade men with the prospect of great things here; but on the contrary warns his followers, that “in this world they shall have tribulation;” pointing them to another, as the place of their rest, and teaching them there to expect the reward of their labors and suffering here.  And here the saints in every age, have groaned, being burdened.  Had God provided nothing better for them, he would be ashamed to be called their God.

The primitive Christians drank largely of the bitter cup.  All the apostles, except John, are said to have sealed their testimony with their blood.  John at an advanced age, died peaceably in his bed at Ephesus.  But he did not escape persecution here.  When the revelation was made to him, he was in exile for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus.  For his consolation, and for the edification of the church, he was visited in his lonely state, by the exalted Redeemer, who unveiled futurity before him, briefly sketching the changes which were to pass over his people till the consummation of all things.  The vision closed with the solemn, dreadful process of the great day, and its consequences to the righteous and to the wicked.

The divine visitant enlarged on the glories of the heavenly state beyond any of the prophets who had gone before.  The description is clothed in figurative language, affording only a partial view of “the glory which is to be revealed;” sufficient however to convince us, that “eye hath not seen, ear heard, or the heart of man conceived the things which God hath prepared for those who love him.”

But who will be made to possess these glorious things?  They are offered to all who hear the sound of the gospel; but conquering believers will only attain them.  Their contrast will be the portion of others.

This life is a warfare, in which we are called to contend with our own corruptions and with the powers of darkness—­“He that overcometh shall inherit all things:”  But those who are overcome, will have their part in the lake of fire—­which is the second death.