SERMON XIII.

THE ANGELS' ADMONITION TO LOT.

GENESIS, xix. 17.

Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

But

THESE words were spoken by the Angels to Lot, when they had brought him out of Sodom. Lot was the Nephew of Abraham, and a partaker of his faith and piety. in consequence of a dispute between their Servants, he had inconsiderately left the Patriarch's Family; and then with an inconsideration far more criminal, he had removed to Sodom. Induced by the richness of the soil, and the plenty which the neighbouring country afforded, he forgot for the time his duty to himself, to his family, and to his God, and took up his abode in that wicked and idolatrous city. The consequences were such as might have been expected. His Wife and

Children became infected with the wickedness of the place; and his own peace and happiness were entirely destroyed. For though, through the mercy of God, and the power of divine grace, he was himself preserved amidst this general contagion; yet in the words of the Apostle he "was vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked," "and in seeing and hearing, he vexed his righteous soul from day to day, with their unlawful deeds*." Such, my Brethren, were the consequences of an undue, and unchastised attachment to the world. Wherever the love of the world reigns and rules in the soul, there is no real religion at all. Whenever it is allowed to prevail for a time in the heart of even a righteous man, we see what trouble and misery it entails.

But though the Lord chastened his Servant, He did not forget him. When the wickedness of Sodom became so great, that He resolved to spare it no longer, but to make it a dreadful example of his righteous vengeance, He yet remembered Lot, and sent his Angels to deliver him from the general destruction. By the divine command they came to Sodom, announced to Lot the approaching judgement on the devoted City, and warned him, without delay, to leave the place with all his family. Painful and sud* 2 Peter, ii. 7, 8.

den as the separation must have been from every earthly possession, he yet instantly prepared to obey the heavenly message. But when the morning arose, and he still lingered, the Angels taking hold of his hand, and the hands of his wife and daughters, brought him forth, and set him without the City. And then it was that they addressed him in the words of the text, "Escape for thy life, look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed." The words contained a general Admonition, with three particular Directions attached to it.

Fire

"Escape for thy life." This was the general Admonition. It was not a small matter which was at stake. It was his life. would speedily fall from Heaven, and cònsume the City, and all things in it. If he remained in Sodom, he would perish with Sodom. No time was to be lost. The destruction was at hand; and such a destruction as it would be impossible to resist or elude. Every living creature which it should overtake, would be instantly consumed. Therefore, "Escape for thy life."

But to this general Admonition there were three particular directions attached,

1st. "Look not behind thee." So great was to be his haste to escape, that he was not even to turn round, and take one part

ing look at the City. He was to give up every thought respecting it, and to be intent only on securing his own safety. There was also a merciful design in this prohibition. For had he looked again at the City, the recollection of all which he had left in it, might have excited a desire of returning, and so in the end, might have occasion his de. struction.

2dly. "Neither stay thou in all the plain." To have come out of Sodom was not sufficient. He must not stay even in its neighbourhood. The ruin which was coming on the City, would extend itself over the whole plain, in which the City stood. Those rich pastures, and fertile lands which had once proved such a temptation to him, would presently become a sea of liquid fire. Woe to all those who should then be found within its devoted boundaries!

Therefore,

3dly. "Escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed." There could be no safety till he had fled beyond the reach of the devouring flame. On the mountains which surrounded the plain, the fire would not fall. Here then was a place of safety. Once escaped to the mountain, he would be in no danger. Here the fire would not touch him. Here he might stop his flight, and rest in peace. Once having gained this place

of refuge, he might from thence, without fear, look back and survey the tremendous destruction from which through mercy he had been rescued. Thence might he view the blazing City, and the smoking country round, and feel the debt of gratitude, which he owed to that gracious God who had thus mercifully interposed, and had plucked him as a brand out of the burning.

Such is the meaning of this Admonition as it stands connected with the context. But

why have I chosen, this passage for my text? Are we exposed to the same danger with Lot? Is fire from Heaven about to fall on our habitation, and consume them? What have we to do with these words addressed to him? My Brethren, we have much, very much, to do with them. The Holy Spirit, in causing these words to be written, had doubtless a merciful intention, and designed them for our edification. For "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

The world is itself a Sodom, a place of sin and wickedness. "We know," says St. John, "that the whole world lieth in wickedness." God made the world good, and man upright; but through the corruption of the one, the other is become evil. The world is now in fact the great rival of God. It is become the 6