We are not to forget, my hearers, that these different awards of the
judgment day will be _irreversible_ and literally _endless_. All admit
this conclusion, with respect to the _righteous_. But if the righteous
are _finally acquitted_ at the judgment, so are the wicked _finally
condemned_. If the righteous are said to enter into "_life eternal_," so
are the wicked to "go away into _everlasting punishment_." The
Scriptures say not one word of any reprieve from this condemnation, or
of any other period of merciful visitation. But they close with the most
solemn assurance, that, from that awful day, he that is unjust shall be
unjust still; and he that is filthy shall be filthy still; and he that
is righteous shall be righteous still; and he that is holy shall be holy
still. Other passages, of similar import, might be quoted: but if men
will pour contempt on a single declaration of Jehovah--if they will
_make God a liar_--they would not be persuaded, though his voice from
the heavens were a thousand times repeated. And _because they receive
not the love of the truth_, _that they might be saved_, most justly may
he _send them strong delusion_, _that they should believe a lie_, and
_be damned._

I have thus endeavoured, with much brevity, to give a scriptural view of
the final Judgment. On a subject so tremendously awful, I have chosen to
present simply God's testimony. A practical inference from the whole
is,--that the present life must be regarded as probationary. We are
living here as responsible agents, continually adding to the number of
actions, for which we must give account to God. How solemnly
interesting, then, is this scene of our earthly pilgrimage! How
inexpressibly valuable is time! How infinitely precious are the means of
grace!--particularly those invitations of mercy, which meet us in the
word of God, and address us from the sacred desk.

You, my fellow sinners, are the very individuals who must stand at the
judgment-seat of Christ. You must mingle in that vast multitude, which
the voice of the archangel and the trump of God shall assemble. And when
your characters are all laid open, you must pass off to the right hand,
or to the left, accordingly as it shall appear, that you have repented,
and believed on the Son of God, or have neglected this great salvation.
And are you diligently preparing for that day? Are you working out your
salvation with fear and trembling? Are you _agonizing_ to enter in at
the st