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without pausing a moment longer, or trying to reconcile it to their consciences to remain where they are; it is the mark of the ungodly, on the other hand, that they "consider not when they do iniquity," and stand heedless and careless in the ways of sin, not remembering the danger of being found at their last hour far from the fold of Christ. Beware of this, brethren; take heed that it is not so with you. Beware of standing unconcerned in the highway that leadeth to destruction. When, first of all, a man turns from the right path, and "doeth that which is evil in the sight of the Lord," his conscience will smite him strongly, and call loudly, saying, "This is the way, walk ye in it." But if, instead of obeying at once, he should begin to stand still and admire the tempting path he is got into, and doubts and hesitates, and refuses to return immediately, that man is in danger of becoming hardened, and deaf to warnings; and the longer he stands in the evil way-whether it be one

of open vice, or secret transgressionwhether it be one of unbelief, or a worldly spirit or whatsoever it be the longer he stands doubting, the more difficult will he find it to return to what is right, and the more faint will be the inward strivings of the Spirit of God with his conscience.

Again; whereas it is said of the man described in the first part of the psalm, that he "sitteth not in the seat of the scornful," "the ungodly is not so," in this respect also. It is a mark of an ungodly man that he is not afraid to speak scornfully of holy things, and to act irreverently on solemn occasions. He who points the finger of scorn and ridicule at those who are afraid of offending God, and count it their first duty to honour Him, cannot be other than an ungodly man himself, however indignant he may be at having such a character given him: they who make a mock at holy things, place themselves, so to speak, in the foremost ranks of the enemies of the Lord. Many men will not fear God themselves, who yet respect

others for their devout habits and conversation, and express no contempt at their religion; but those who mock and "sit in the seat of the scorner" take an active part against God, and, not content with dishonouring Him by their own neglect, they would fain make others do the like, and hinder all men from paying Him any reverence. It would be well if such men would consider who it is that they scorn. It is surely not merely their fellow-men whose conduct they ridicule, but that great Being whose honour these men regard, and whose mercy and goodness they think themselves bound to have continually in remembrance. brethren, hereafter God will be a swift witness against profane and light" despisers of that which is good," no less than against adulterers and false swearers, and such like. "He that dwelleth in the heavens shall laugh them to scorn,' who now cast reproach and scorn upon His worship and His followers; "the

* 2 Tim. iii. 3.

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Lord shall have them in derision," who now deride and mock at His words and His ordinances. Both St. Peter* and St. Jude foretold, that in the last days there should be "scoffers," and "mockers, walking after their own ungodly lusts." May we not fear, my brethren, that this prophecy is even now receiving its fulfilment? in these days of rebuke and blasphemy," when men are so ready to set at nought the word of God, and to follow their own will and imagination, not considering that He that sitteth in heaven regardeth their works. Let me warn you, then, brethren, against a spirit of mockery-a disposition to ridicule holy things, and to despise serious thoughts. "Be ye not mockers," saith the prophet, "lest your bonds be made strong; for I have heard from the Lord God of Hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth." A time will come when the Lord will say unto the ungodly,

* 2 Peter iii. 3; and Jude 18.

† Isa. xxviii. 22.

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who now "delight in their scorning," "I also will laugh at your calamity—I will mock when your fear cometh-when your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind-when distress and anguish cometh upon you; then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me for that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord."*

Once more; whereas it is said of the man whom the Psalmist pronounces to be " blessed," that "his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law doth he meditate day and night;" in this most important matter, also, "the ungodly is not so." No ungodly man can be said to delight in the law of God. He may, indeed, read it as matter of form and he may be pleased with its beauty of language, and its high tone of moral excellence, but he cannot " delight" in it; it is not in the nature of things that he should de

*Prov. i. 26.

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