But they do not examine it, nor think
upon it, nor care for it. And they
never will unless God's witnesses rise
up and testify. But inasmuch as the
great body of Christians in fact live so
as to testify on the ( ther side by their
conduct, how can we expect that sin
ners will feel right on the subject?
Nearly all the testimony and all the
influence that comes to their minds
tends to make them feel the other
way. God has left His cause here be
fore the human race, and left His wit
nesses to testify in His behalf, and
behold, they turn round and testify
the other way ! Is it any wonder that
sinners are careless?
We see why it is that preaching
; does SQ Iiule good and how ,t is
that
! so many sinners become gospel hard-
; ened. Sinners that live under the
; gosoel are often supposed to be gospel
; hardened . but only let lhe church
; ' - . ...
j waKe op ana act consistently, ana iney
will feel. If the church were to live
only one week as if they believed in
the Bible sinners would melt down
before them. Suppose I were a law
yer, and should go into court and
spread out my client's case ; the issue
is joined, and I make my statements
and tell what I expect to prove, and
then call in my witnesses. The first
witness takes his oath, and then rises
up and contradicts me to ray face.
What good will all my pleading do?
I might address the jury a month and
be as eloquent as Cicero, but so" long
as my witness contradicted me all my
pleading would do no good.
