that city. Ignorance, unawakened, unenlightened ignorance, is the destruction of many. But a far more awful destruction awaits the obstinately impenitent; those who close their ears against the voice of the charmer, charm he never so wisely. The apostles were

Let us enter into the case. sent forth through the country, preaching that men should repent, for "the kingdom of heaven was at hand;" appealing to their consciences, that they did not set God before them, that the law and the prophets were neglected or despised. The question would soon arise, why should they believe that God had sent this message to them? But the apostles wrought works which no man could do except God were with him. They cast out many devils, and healed many that were sick. By these credentials they proved their claim to be heard.

Now if, after these warnings and testimonies, men persisted in their obstinate impenitence, they were in the state of those who "sin wilfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth." Their case became far more heinous in the sight of God. Great wickedness prevailed in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha, and "sudden destruction came upon them unawares," a signal proof of the divine anger. Yet to Sodom and Gomorrha no such warning had been given, as was now given to the inhabitants of Judea. Sodom and Gomorrha would have no less to answer for at the day of judgment, than those who should now refuse to receive and hear the messengers of Christ.

How little is this considered in the world! How little do men regard the responsibility which be

longs to those who are surrounded by the light of the gospel? To close their eyes against that light, to reject the warnings and instructions which are multiplied upon them, is exactly the case contemplated in this passage. Whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet, for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. For then shall be realized the words of Wisdom, (Prov. i. 24,) “Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hands, and no man regarded: but ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: 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."

But whoso hearkeneth unto truth "shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil."

LECTURE LXXXVII.

HEROD CONSENTS TO THE DEATH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.-JESUS PITIES THE UNINSTRUCTED

PEOPLE.

MARK Vi. 14-34.

(Matt. xiv. 1-13. Luke iii. 19.)

14. And king' Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him.

15. Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.

16. But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded he is risen from the dead.

17. For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.

18. For John had said unto Herod. It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.

19. Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not :

20. For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

Very observable is this account of Herod. A strong conviction must have rested upon his mind of John's divine authority, when on hearing of the

1 Herod was called by the title of king, as governor of Galilee.

miracles of Jesus, his first impression was, It is John, he is risen from the dead. Yet this conviction had led to no effective repentance. Herod had feared John, knowing that he was a just man, and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. He heard John gladly but he heard without obeying: what he heard, made no change in his mode of life. He did many things; but he did not the one thing which it was his first duty to have done; he did not "cease to do evil :" he did not put away Herodias. Therefore his sin remained. Nay, its heinousness was much increased by the conviction which he had felt, and the warning which he had received. No divine grace rested on him and "the latter end of that man became worse than the first."

The case is far more common than might be supposed. Multitudes have the sort of belief in Christ, which Herod had in the authority of John. They do many things which they would not do, if Christianity were not established in the land: perhaps they have no doubt of its truth: perhaps they hear the preacher gladly. But the heart still remains unsubdued; unsubdued, though not unconvinced no effectual faith attaches them to Christ no surrender is made of the soul to God: they are not brought to "cleanse their hands," or "purify their hearts" from sin. And what is the end? When any temptation closely presses, and the matter comes to a decided trial, then it is evident that Satan is still holding possession; still reigning dominant. Or even, if the commission

of heinous wickedness, as in the case of Herod, does not render this plainly manifest in the sight of man, the heart is known to God, and he sees that whatever stings may pierce and pain the conscience, the will is still alienated from Him. Either death comes upon them, and finds them unconverted, and therefore unprepared; or their sins, like those of Herod, increase in heinousness, and go before them unto judgment."

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Therefore, "if iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away" from thee; and "let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles:" whilst that is allowed a lodgment, there must be a separation between thee and God.

21. And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;

22. And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.

23. And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.

24. And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.

25. And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.

26. And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him he would not reject her.

27. And immediately the king sent an executioner, and

2 Job xi. 14.