Rejection of Christ: a Common, and Most Unreasonable Iniquity

Adapted from a Sermon by Samuel Davies, January 16, 1758

“He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’” Mark 12:6

There is no sin more common or more wicked in the professing Christian world, than an inappropriate reception of Jesus Christ and the gospel. It is not only the sin of professed unbelievers and profane scoffers, but it often hides itself under the cloak of religion, and a profession of faith. It is so subtle in nature, that it is often unsuspected, even by those who are destroyed by it; and it is so deadly, that nothing can save a soul which is under the power of it! A soul that has the offer of Christ and the gospel, and yet neglects him, is certainly in a perishing condition, whatever good works, whatever likeable qualities or appearances of virtue it may be have. "If our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. Whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." (2 Cor 4:3; John 3:18)

This was the sin of the Jews in Christ's time, and this brought both temporal and eternal ruin to them. To show this sin in a convicting way, is the main purpose of this parable of Mark chapter 12.

The blessed God had chosen the Jews, out of the world, to be his peculiar people, and distinguished them with the gracious privileges of his church. And so, they are pictured as his vineyard, enclosed from the wilderness of the world, and provided with everything needed to make it fruitful.

And therefore, God is represented as expecting fruit from them, as a man expects it from his vineyard; which implies the reasonableness of their obedience; it is what any one would expect, who would judge by what is due and reasonable. But this does not imply that God does properly look for or expect what will never come to pass; for the certainty and universality of his fore-knowledge makes it impossible that he should be disappointed. Rather, it is speaking to us in our own human language, which we are most likely to understand; but it must be explained in accordance to the perfection of the nature of God, and not according to the imperfection of ours.

The Scribes and Pharisees, the priests and rulers of the Jews, who were entrusted with the management of their church and state, are represented by the farmers, to whom this vineyard was leased or rented, and they were required to make annual payments of a part of the fruit.

The succession of servants sent to demand the income of fruit in its season, stand for the prophets and other messengers of God sent to the Jews to call them to deliver the fruits of holiness. But, instead of obeying the call, they treated them abusively, persecuted and killed them, and refused to give to God what he demanded and what they should have been happy to give out of their gratitude!

After repeated failed attempts by these servants, the great God resolves to make one more attempt, and that, by his own Son, his only Son, his beloved Son. Him he will send to these rebellious farmers. And he presumes that, as bad as they are, they would at least respect his Son, and count themselves highly honored in having such a messenger sent to them.

He might justly have sent his army to destroy them, who had murdered his former servants; but instead of this, he sends his Son with proposals of peace once more. He presumes such clemency will melt down the rebels, and make them ashamed of their former conduct. They will respect my Son; as if he should say, "Though they have wickedly abused and killed my servants, but surely they will not dare to treat my Son in the same way. Surely the very sight of him, must command awe and respect. This will also make them ashamed of their base ingratitude and cruelty to my former messengers."

Now, when the omniscient God represents himself as presuming or expecting that they would receive his Son in a friendly manner, it does not imply, as we just observed in a similar case, that he does not know the future perfectly, or that he is liable to disappointment; but it only expresses, in the strongest manner, the reasonableness of the thing expected. It is so reasonable, that anyone who judges only according to the reasonableness of the thing, and has no view of future, would certainly expect it. It is so reasonable, that God himself would expect it, were he not omniscient, and incapable of being deceived by the most plausible appearances.

In this view God expected, (that is, he looked upon it as infinitely reasonable) that the Jewish rulers should reverence his Son. But, no! when they saw him, they were raised to a still higher pitch of rebellion and cruelty. They seized the Son himself, cast him out of his own vineyard, and with wicked hands crucified and killed him! On this account the vineyard was taken from them, and let out to others, who would pay the great Owner his fruit in its season; that is, the Jews were cast out of the church, and the Gentiles received in their place, who would make a better use of their privileges.

This is the first sense of the parable, as referring to the Jews of that age. But it will lend itself to a more extensive application. It reaches us in these ends of the earth, and all the nations of the world, to whom the gospel has been proposed: and it is in this scope, that we will consider the text.

The world had gone on for thousand years in wickedness, in spite of all the means used to reform it by godly lawgivers, educators, social workers, and by the providence of God. Persuasions, warnings, chastisements, mercies, and whatever had a tendency to bring them to repentance, had been used with them. Philosophers had often reasoned. Legislators had prescribed. Prophets had carefully instructed, allured with promises, and deterred with threats. Angels had appeared and spoke with men on extraordinary occasions. Jesus, the great angel of the covenant, had given frequent signs of his incarnation; indeed, Jehovah himself had descended, and thundered law in the ears of his subjects on Mount Sinai. But all this would not do; the world sinned on still, impenitent and incorrigible!

And what shall be done in such a desperate case? What remedy remains to be tried? After so many messengers abused, persecuted, and killed, who will go on so dangerous a mission again? There is indeed the Son of God, the great co-equal of the Supreme God; if he would undertake it, perhaps something might be done!

But who can dare to hope for such condescension from one so high! Who can expect such a favor for rebels ripe for vengeance! Who can hope the Father will give him up! Our text seems to hint at various objections against this possibility.

He is God's Son, his Well-beloved Son, and he has but one Son; but one of his rank, though he has produced such a vast creation. And will he part with his Son, his well beloved, his only Son, and send him on such a mission; a mission so difficult, so dangerous, in which so many of his servants have lost their lives? Who could believe that even divine love and mercy could go so far, had we not the testimony of God in the gospel for it? Having one Son, his well-beloved, he sent him also! He sent even him, as dear as he was, as well as his servants of an inferior order. So much had he at heart the salvation of his rebellious creatures!

But observe the time when he sent him: he sent him last. He did not send him until every other method was tried and failed, and the case was found to be desperate without him. He did not send him until it appeared, from many experiments, that there was an absolute need of him. Lawgivers, prophets, philosophers, and other real or pretended reformers, had a clear stage; they had the world to themselves for four thousand years; but in all this time nothing they did came to anything. Therefore, we are led to make this remark, which is of great importance to the right understanding of the gospel.

That the Son of God was sent into the world as a Savior in a desperate case. It was clear, after a long period of trial, that when he undertook the mission, there was no possible relief from any other place. And therefore, by the way, it follows, that we can never receive him rightly, until we are deeply aware that our case is desperate; that is, that we can be saved in no other!

But probably his being sent last, has a further meaning. It seems to imply, that he is the final messenger that God will ever send; that the dispensation of the gospel is the last trial that he will ever make with rebellious men, the final effort of divine grace for their salvation; and that such as are not recovered by it, will be forever given up as desperate, and no further means used with them.

What an alarming thought this truly should be to such of you (and no doubt there are such among you) who have enjoyed the gospel, the dispensation of the Son of God, all your days, without receiving any special benefit from it! If these means will not do, you are not to expect better, but must perish as incurables!

If we consider the unworthiness of our guilty world, and the high character of the blessed Jesus, as his Father's only and well-beloved Son, we could have little reason to expect that he would come into our world as a Savior!

But suppose he should come! suppose he should leave all the glories of his native heaven, and take on the humble nature of man, interact with mortals, instead of the heavenly beings, and conflict with the calamities of life, instead of enjoying the pleasures of paradise! Suppose he should come himself, as a messenger of his Father's grace, and with his own blessed lips assure our guilty race that God is reconcilable! Suppose he should die upon a cross for us, that he might at once purchase redemption, and confirm the reports of it! Suppose, I say, such wonders as these should happen!

What then is to be expected from sinful man? May it not reasonably be expected that this divine Messenger will be received with universal welcome? That every heart will glow with his love and every mouth be filled with his praise? May it not be reasonably expected that his appearance among guilty men would cast them all to their knees as humble penitents, and that now, overcome with his love— they would become his willing subjects for the future, and bitterly lament the baseness and ingratitude of their past disobedience? Is not this the most absolutely reasonable expectation?

God speaks after the manner of men in our text: and, therefore, when he says, "They will respect my Son," it implies, that this would be the universal expectation of mankind, and of all reasonable creatures who consider the reasonableness of the thing. "They will respect my Son— surely they will. As wicked and ungrateful as they are, the very sight of him must melt them into gratitude and obedience! Though they have rejected, persecuted, and murdered prophets and lawgivers, and all my other servants— yet surely they will reverence my Son."

And is this not a most reasonable expectation? Who would suppose the opposite, in so plain a case? Who would fear that such a divine Savior, a Savior in so desperate a case— would be received with neglect? Who would fear that sinners, on the brink of everlasting destruction— would be careless about such a Deliverer? We cannot think they would act in this way, without supposing them senseless, as well as sinners, and that they have lost their reason and self-love, as well as moral goodness!

But, regrettably! these are only the presumptions of reason from the reasonableness of the thing— and not matters of fact gathered from observation of the actual conduct of mankind. However likely it seems from appearances that the Son of God will be universally and warmly received by creatures who stand in such absolute need of him; and however improbable it is, in an abstract view, that such creatures should neglect him— yet it is an astonishing, sad, notorious fact— that Jesus Christ has but little of the reverence and love of mankind!

The prophetic character given of him long ago by Isaiah still holds true, "To one deeply despised, abhorred by the nation!" Isaiah 49:7. He is despised and rejected by men. The riches, honors, and pleasures of the world— are all preferred to him. His creatures are loved more than himself. Even sin itself, the most hateful thing on earth, or even in hell— is more beloved! The salvation which he purchased with his blood— is looked upon as hardly worth seeking! His favor is not earnestly sought, nor his displeasure carefully avoided.

In short, he has but a small place, and is but of little importance in the thoughts, the affections, and conversation of mankind! This is a most sad and astonishing thing; it may spread amazement and horror through the whole universe! But, sadly! it is a fact; a plain fact, though but few are convinced of it! And it is a depressing fact, though few lament it. The main goal of this sermon this morning is to fasten conviction upon the guilty; a very unacceptable goal— but not therefore the less necessary or useful.

To this end, we will,

I. To show what kind of reception it may justly be expected we should give to the Son of God.

II. To consider the reasonableness of that expectation,

III. And lastly, to show how different a reception he generally meets with from what might be reasonably expected.

Please pay attention then, the most serious attention, to what you are so greatly concerned in. And to engage your attention the more, let this consideration have weight with you, that your making light of this matter is in itself a strong indication that you make light of Christ, and do not give him that reception which he demands. Your being unconcerned in the examination of this case— is enough to prove you guilty! I am,

I. To show you what kind of reception we may reasonably be expected to give to the Son of God.

In general, we should receive him in a way which agrees with his character, and agrees with the purpose for which he was sent into our world.

We should treat everyone according to his character: reason expects that we should do so, and God requires it. Therefore, we should treat this divine Messenger according to his character.

More particularly Jesus Christ appears in our world— under the character of a Savior in a desperate case, a relief for the remediless, a helper for the helpless! Then it may reasonably be expected that his appearing in our world under this character, would immediately flash universal conviction upon mankind, that they are altogether undone and helpless in themselves, and can obtain relief from nowhere else!

It may reasonably be expected— that they should give up all their proud, self-righteous conceit of themselves, and abandon all trust in their own righteousness and good works; for until they do this, they can never receive him in his character as a Savior in a desperate case. It may reasonably be expected, they should welcome Christ as the great, the only Deliverer, and entirely give themselves up to him, to be saved by him, who alone is mighty to save. And it may reasonably be expected, that every heart should be transported with admiration, joy and gratitude, at his appearance: and a contrary attitude towards him can proceed from nothing but senseless ignorance of our sin and danger, and an ungrateful, base hatred of him!

Does Jesus appear among men as a great High Priest, making atonement for sin? Then it may justly be expected that we should place all our trust upon the value of his atonement, and that all hands should be eagerly stretched out to receive those pardons which he offers, in consequence of his sin-atoning sacrifice.

Does he appear to destroy the works of the devil, and to save men from sin by making them holy; and are the influences of the Holy Spirit, entrusted to him to renew their nature and implant every grace and virtue in their hearts? Then, who would not expect that we would all fall in with his goal, all form a noble resistance against sin, seek for the sanctification of our hearts, and earnestly come to him for the influences of divine grace to make us holy!

Again, does Christ appear in the character of a mediating King, invested with all power in heaven and earth, and demanding universal respect? Then it may be reasonably expected that we should all bow the knee in humble submission, all make his will the rule of our conduct, and endeavor to obey him in all things.

In addition, does he both appear as the publisher, and the brightest demonstration of the Father's love? and has he revealed his own love by the many labors of his life, and by the agonies and tortures of his cross? May it not be expected that we should return him our love—for his love? The love of worms—for the love of a God! An obedient love—for his bleeding, dying love! May it not be expected that the sight of a crucified Savior, dying in agonies of love and pain, should melt every heart, and draw the whole world to his arms!

He himself had this reasonable expectation: “I,” says Jesus, “when I am lifted up from the earth,” (that is, suspended on the cross) “will draw all people to myself.” If such love will not draw— then what can?

May it not be expected that this strong assurance that their offended Sovereign is reconcilable, and so much desiring to pardon hateful rebels— would finally bring them to see their base ingratitude, would melt them down into sincere generous sorrows for their unnatural rebellion against so good a God, and drive them to cheerful obedience in future?

Again, does Christ reveal himself as able to save to the uttermost, all who come to God through him; and that he is as willing— as able, as gracious— as powerful? Then may it not reasonably be expected that all the unbelieving fears and tremblings of desponding penitents should vanish forever; that they should all run into his arms with cheerful hope and humble confidence, and do him the honor, and themselves the kindness to believe themselves safe, upon their compliance with his invitation?

Further, does Christ reveal himself in the character of a great Prophet sent to publish his Father's will, to reveal the deep things of God, and to show the way in which guilty sinners may be reconciled to God? a way which all the philosophers and wise men of antiquity, after all their perplexing searches, could never discover! May it not then be reasonably expected that we pay great attention to his instructions; that we should yield our understandings to him as our Teacher, and readily believe what he has revealed, and particularly that we should cheerfully comply with the only method of salvation contained in the gospel?

Once more, Does Christ take on the awesome character of supreme Judge of the living and the dead, and must we all appear before the judgment seat of Christ? Then it may be expected we should all humbly revere and adore him, fear to offend him and make him our enemy, and prepare for when we will, each one of us, appear before him.

In short, considering him as the supreme Good, it is infinitely reasonable we should love and esteem him as the Physician of sick souls; that we should put ourselves under his all-healing hands, and submit to his prescriptions!

If we consider him as our Advocate— we should present all our petitions in his name, and depend on his intercession for acceptance. “And as God the Father has put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all,” (Eph 1:22) he should be all in all to us

This is a brief overview of the reception which we ought to give to the Son of God, at his appearance in our world. Unless we receive him in this way, we can receive no benefit from him; but must suffer the aggravated guilt of rejecting him. But to as many as do receive him, “who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)

Do not imagine that the need to give him a proper reception applies only to those who saw him when he walked on earth. We, who are at the distance of more than 2000 years, and eight thousand kilometers from the time and place of his appearance in human form— are as much concerned with him as they were. He is an ever-present Savior, and he left his gospel on earth in his place, when he went to heaven.

It is with the motion of the mind and heart, and not of the body—that sinners must come to him; and in this sense, we may come to him, as surely as those who spoke with him when he was on earth. He demands the reverence, love, and trust of mankind now—as well as two thousand years ago! And we need his righteousness, his influence, and his salvation now—as well as the sinners of Judea, among whom he once appeared in person.

Indeed, as his glory is now clearly revealed as opposed to the days of his flesh when it was hidden, and as he is exalted to the height of honor and dignity—it may be expected with still more reason that we should reverence him, and submit to him in his high character. He is not now perceived through our bodily senses, we cannot see and touch him; but he is now placed before our mind in a much clearer way.

It must be a very shallow being—which can love nothing—but what it can see and feel. Spiritual and intellectual things are the most proper objects for all reasonable creatures. Therefore, though Jesus is not now within reach of our senses—yet reason and faith may truly reach him, and see his glories: and it is reasonable to expect that we should admire, love, trust, and serve him. This is certainly reasonable to expect of us. We now go on:

II. To show the reasonableness of the expectation, that we should give the Son of God a welcome reception.

Here the evidence must be evident to every mind at first sight. Is there not infinite reason that infinite beauty and excellence—should be esteemed and loved? Is it not most reasonable, that supreme authority—should be obeyed, and the highest character respected and revered? Is it not most reasonable that the most amazing display of love and mercy—should meet with the most affectionate responses of gratitude from those indebted to them?

Shall the Creator die for his creatures, the Sovereign die for his rebellious subjects, the great Lawgiver transfer the penalty of his own law upon himself, in order to remove it from hateful criminals? Shall he die in extremities of torture, and write his love in characters of blood? Shall he do all this—and is it not infinitely reasonable that his creatures, that his rebellious subjects, that wretched criminals should be moved with wonder, joy, and gratitude; and that such miracles of love should engross their thoughts, their affections, and conversation?

If we form our expectations from what we find in fact among mankind in other cases—then surely, we may expect that the Son of God would meet with such a reception in our world! The thousandth part of this kindness—would excite gratitude between man and man; and he would be counted a monster, who would not be moved with it. And shall kindness from worm to worm, from sinner to sinner, excite love and gratitude? And shall not the infinite mercy of God towards rebellious creatures inflame their love and gratitude? Is this the only species of kindness that must pass unnoticed? Is Jesus the only Benefactor who must be forgotten?

Is it not reasonable, and would not everyone expect—that perishing sinners—would willingly accept so mighty and gracious a Savior? that the guilty would stretch out an eager hand to receive a pardon? that the diseased would go to the physician? that inexcusable offenders should repent of their causeless offences against the best of beings? and that needy, dependent creatures should embrace the offer of happiness?

Can anything be more reasonably expected than this? Is it not as reasonable as to expect that creatures who love themselves, will seek their own happiness; or that the miserable would accept deliverance?

In short, no man can deny the reasonableness of this expectation! No man can deny its reasonableness, without asserting that the highest excellency should be despised, the highest authority rejected, the richest goodness despised; and that rebellion and ingratitude are virtues; and self-destruction a duty!

That is, no man can deny this—without being a monster, abandoning his reason—and embracing the most extravagant and impious absurdities in its place!

It is to be feared that note all of you will be persuaded and obey in this matter—but I am sure if you are reasonable, and believe the gospel, that I have already won over your judgment and conscience. Your judgment and conscience declare: that if it is reasonable for a child to reverence a tender, affectionate parent; if it is reasonable that you should love your life, or your own happiness; then certainly it is infinitely reasonable that you should give such a reception as has been mentioned to the blessed Jesus. Happy for us, happy for the world, if we could as easily prove that the expectation is as much founded upon actual facts—as upon reason. But, tragically! here the evidence turns against us. In such a wicked disordered world as this, it would be a very deceitful method of reasoning, to infer that things are—because they should be. This introduces what comes next under consideration,

III. lastly, to show how different a reception the Son of God generally meets with in our world—from what might reasonably be expected.

Here a most tragic and sad scene opens! May it please the blessed Holy Spirit to affect our hearts deeply with the view of it! It is not to be ungracious that the following is strong and particular; it is an appeal to speak directly to the conscience of each of you. The severity of the situation really requires plain speech, because without it you are not likely to be convinced, and, without conviction, you can never return, nor be saved.

Let me get us to ask ourselves seriously—how have we received Jesus Christ. We have lived all, or most of our days, under his gospel; we profess his religion; we acknowledge him as the Author of our hopes; what kind of treatment have we given him in these circumstances? It is high time for all of us to look into our behavior!

Are not some of you aware that you have never received him as a Savior in a desperate case? No, you have never even seen your case to be desperate. Your proud hearts have not been brought so low. You have not had such a stirring view of your guilt and depravity, and the imperfections of your best works, and of the holiness and justice of God and his law—as to make you aware that you were undone and helpless in yourselves, that your own righteousness could by no means recommend you to God, and that you must perish forever—unless Jesus Christ, out of mere mercy, would undertake to save you! And unless you have had a vivid sense of your undone and hopeless condition—you have certainly never received him as a Savior!

Again, is it not evident that Jesus Christ has had but little share in your thoughts and affections? Do not the things of this perishing world come first? Do you not have a thousand thoughts of a thousand trifles—for every one affectionate thought of Jesus, the beloved of his Father? Have you not been generally thoughtless of him all your lives? Take the time that is nearest to you as an example, which surely you have not yet forgotten. Remember now how many affectionate thoughts you have had of him the past week, or even during this sacred morning, when you had his solemn worship immediately in view. May not even this short review convince you that you are guilty of the most absurd and unreasonable thing in the world! A thing which appears so theoretically improbable, that one would hardly believe you would do it; I mean neglecting the Son of God, who has visited our world with such motives of love?

Again, is Jesus Christ the favorite subject of your conversation? Is his dear name the sweetest sound your lips can pronounce? And do you love to sit with his few friends in our guilty world, and talk over the wonder of his love—until your hearts burn within you, like the disciples on the way to Emmaus? Out of the abundance of the heart—the mouth speaks; and were he uppermost in your hearts—he would have a proper share in your conversation.

Or if you should mingle in a company (and such company is everywhere to be found) where prudence would not allow you to dwell upon this dear subject, would the restraint be painful to you, and would his love, like a smothered fire in your hearts, struggle to break out and vent itself—vent itself at least in some retired corner in his presence, if you could not enjoy the pleasure of letting it flow out in the society of his creatures?

But, sadly! is this not the opposite of your true character? Are you not disgusted, or struck silent as soon as the conversation takes this pious turn? It is an awful thought—to speak about Jesus Christ is generally deemed needless, insulting, or ostentatious, by creatures who profess themselves disciples, redeemed by his blood! And are not some of you guilty of this?

Further, are your hearts not destitute of his love? If you deny the charge, and profess that you love him—then where are the inseparable fruits and effects of his love? Where are your eager desires and sighs after him? Where is your delight to speak with him in his ordinances? Where is your concern, your zeal, your earnest endeavors to make sure his favor? Where is your conscientious observance of his commandments? For he himself has made this the test of your love to him, "You are my friends—IF you do what I command you." (John 15:14) And again, "If anyone loves me—he will keep my Word." (John 14:23)

Does not the evidence, from this examination, turn against you? Are you not convicted in your consciences, that if these are the inseparable fruits of love—then you are entirely destitute of it? Is it not evident to yourselves, that your own pleasure, your own worldly interest, your honor or ease—is the general rule of your conduct, without any regard to his will?

Examine further, have you learned to entrust your souls in his hands, to be saved by him—entirely in his own way? Or do you not depend, in part at least, on your own imaginary goodness? Do you not wonder and shrink back from the doctrine of salvation by grace alone? Does it not appear strange to you, to be told, that after all your good works—that God will deal with you entirely as guilty sinners, void of all goodness, and have no regard at all to your supposed merit, in the distribution of his mercy—but entirely to the righteousness of Jesus Christ? Are you not utter strangers to that exploit of faith—which casts a poor, guilty, depraved soul, void of all goodness, upon the mere mercy of God, through Jesus Christ, who justifies the ungodly? For this purpose, the Son of God came into the world; and you do not give him a proper reception—but wickedly reject him as well as the Jews, unless you entrust yourselves to him—to be saved by him—in his way.

The evidence mounts up as we proceed; and one cannot but wonder how it is that you do not see this yourselves. Can anything be plainer—than that you make light of Christ! that you choose to have as little to do with him as possible! that you have no delight in his service! Do not your own consciences now tell you—that there are this and that, and a thousand things, that you have more pleasure in? Do not your hearts fly away from him, whenever they are urged to approach him? When you are once awakened with a sense of your guilt and danger, and ready with eager eyes to look about for a Savior, sadly! how naturally do you relapse into carelessness and carnal security! How soon do you drop your purpose of seeking after him with unwearied endeavors, until you find him! how ready are you to occupy yourself with anything in his place! A little sorrow and reformation are substituted in his place. You would rather get ease to your consciences from anywhere—than from him. Like Judas, you sell him for a few pieces of silver; that is, you would rather part with him than give up your over-eager pursuit of earthly things!

A thousand such facts might be easily produced—which sadly prove that the blessed Jesus is not received by multitudes among us in the way that his character demands. Indeed, their not being easily convicted of sin—is an evidence they are guilty; for if they had a real regard for him—they would be concerned to inquire how things really are, or how their hearts are disposed towards him. And a little honest questioning would soon lead them into the truth.

And now I have a few questions to propose to such of you as are guilty of neglecting the Son of God, or have never given him that reception that might justly be expected of you; questions of the utmost importance, which I ask that you would bring home to your own hearts!

1. The first question is—Do you not think that by neglecting the Lord Jesus in this way—that you fall under the most aggravated guilt? It is the Son of God, his only Son, his well-beloved Son, whom you neglect! And must not the Father resent it? Do you not touch his honor in a very sensitive point? and will he not muster up all the forces of omnipotence to avenge the insult! Since you neglect him, whom the Father loves; him, whom all the heavenly multitudes adore; him, whom all godly men upon earth treat with the highest honor; since you neglect a person of infinite glory and dignity, your rightful Sovereign and only Savior—then how deep is your guilt! What a horrid exploit of wickedness this is! neither heathen nor devils can sin up to such a degree! Devils cannot, because no Savior was ever provided for them, or offered to them! And heathen cannot, because a Savior was never revealed to them. You stand without a rival by your horrid supremacy in guilt!

To you may be applied the Words of Jesus; as well as to the unbelieving Jews: "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin;" that is, they would not have had sin of so heightened a nature; “but now they have no excuse for their sin;” (John 15:22) they are utterly inexcusable! For they have both seen and hated both me and my Father!

2. The second question I would ask you is—Must not your punishment be peculiarly heightened, since it will be in proportion to your guilt? To be punished not only for sins against the law of nature—but against revelation; against the gospel of grace, against the love of a crucified Savior—how dreadful must this be! “Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy,” says Paul: “How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God!” (Heb 10:29) You may make light of this now—but, I solemnly tell you, it will not prove light in the end!

Here let me mention a most alarming consideration: The love that God bears to his Son—is the great source of all our hopes: it is because he loves him—that he accepts of his atonement for our sins; it is because he loves him—that he forgives and loves believing sinners for his sake; it is because he loves the head—that he shows such favor to the members. But as to such as reject or neglect the Son, even the love which the Father has for him, becomes a source of peculiar terror, and prompts him to particular vengeance.

"If he infinitely loves his Son—then he must infinitely resent it to see him neglected and despised by others. If he loves him—he will avenge the insult given him; and the more he loves him, the more severely he must resent and avenge it."

How wretched, then, is their condition, upon whom even the love of God for his Son—calls aloud for vengeance! and how particularly awful will the punishment be, that the Father's love for his Son will inflict upon those who despise him!

3. The third question I would propose to you is—How do you expect to escape this awful vengeance, if you still continue to neglect the Lord Jesus? Answer the apostle's question—if you can. "How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?" (Heb 2:3) You cannot expect that Jesus will be your Savior—while you treat him like this: and if he refuses to save you—then to whom will you turn? What angel or saint can save—those whom he is determined to destroy? If he is against you—who can be for you? Remember the text: the Father sent his Son finally into the world. He comes last, and therefore if you reject him—there is no other Savior. You must take him—or none! Take him—or perish forever!

4. I would lastly ask you—If your guilt and danger are so great, and if in your present condition you are ready every moment to be engulfed in everlasting destruction; does it befit you to be so easy and careless, so joyful and merry? If your bodies were sick—you would be pensive and sad, and take steps to heal them; if your estates were in danger—you would be anxious until they were secured; if you were condemned to die for a crime against the civil government— you would be anxious for a pardon. In short, it is natural for man to be pensive, anxious, and sad—in circumstances of danger. And it is shocking to the common sense of mankind, to see one thoughtless and joyful in such circumstances!

Can you be easy—under such a load of guilt? Can you be careless—under a sentence of condemnation? Can you be negligent—when the possibility of deliverance is set before you? I would not willingly see you sorrowful and dejected: but when your case calls for it; when your temporal sorrow may be for your good, and save you from everlasting pain; when it is necessary in your dreadful circumstances, then I cannot have a kinder wish for you, than that your hearts may be pierced and broken with repentant sorrows!

Many have commemorated the birth of a Savior this Christmas; that is, they have danced and eaten and drank and sinned—to his honor! But now I come after, and demand in his name another kind of reception for him! I call you to the sorrowful work of repentance, for your ill treatment of him. Instead of such laughter and extravagance, would it not have been more proper for you to have listened to James' advice? "Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord;" (James 4:9) that mighty hand which can crush ten thousand worlds, and which is lifted up against you to revenge the rejection of his beloved Son!

Can you return home this morning as thoughtless and merry as usual? Well, your mad career will soon come to an end: your vanity and trifling will soon be over. Perhaps, as Jeremiah denounced to the false prophet, "This year you shall die!" (Jer. 28:16) And please consider that then, death will drown you in everlasting sorrows!

Therefore, what would you now think of making one honest try, before it is too late, to obtain a saving interest in that Savior whom you have up until now neglected? Will you not at least try, whether the estrangement of your hearts towards him, ingrained as it is—may yet be removed by divine grace? Will you not try, whether he, who prayed with his dying breath, even for his murderers—will not have mercy on you? Will you not try, whether the virtue of his blood is not still sufficient to cleanse you from all sin? Will you give up the matter as desperate, before you make a thorough trial?

Your case is indeed very discouraging—but it is not yet hopeless; if I thought it was, I would not say one word to you about it—to torment you before the time. But I can assure you upon the best authority, of Jesus Christ himself—that if you receive him as his character requires—that he will receive you into favor as though you had never offended him, and make you forever happy! Therefore, come, poor, guilty, perishing sinners—run to the arms of his mercy, which are opened wide to embrace you! Cry for the attractive influence of his grace, which alone can enable you to come to him, and let there be joy in heaven this day—over repenting sinners upon earth!