November 17

"The way of the ungodly shall perish."—Psalms 1:6.

IN this Psalm the righteous and the wicked are described by what they are not, by what they are, and by what they shall be. Our text furnishes us with a mournful account of the wicked. Notice

HIS CHARACTER. "The ungodly." They are unmindful of God. They are unmindful of his power, and resist him; unmindful of his holiness, and commit uncleanness; unmindful of his justice, and think to escape punishment; unmindful of his goodness and long-suffering, and despise it; unmindful of his word, his ordinances, and his works. They are unthankful to God. Ingratitude is a base feeling. We

30 deprecate it when shown by man to man, but how hateful is man's ingratitude to God! They are unlike God. In a state of innocence, man bore the image of his Maker — by sin, the impress is defaced; it is only by grace it can be restored.

HIS WAY. It has many properties. It is a sinful way. Sin contrived it, and sinners walk in it. Here sinful thoughts are harbored, sinful desires are cherished, sinful objects are pursued, and sinful pleasures are enjoyed. It is a sorrowful way. "Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another God." It is a hard way. "The way of transgressors is hard." It is a foolish way. "This their way is their folly." While religion is a reasonable service, and "the way of the wise;" there is nothing so unreasonable as the course pursued by the wicked. It is a broad way. "Broad is the way that leadeth to destruction." It is much frequented; yea, crowded with travellers, all eager to pursue it. It is an unprofitable way. "Treasures of wickedness profit nothing." What fruit is to be gathered here?

HIS END. "He shall perish." His thoughts shall perish. All his vain, foolish thoughts, either of obtaining salvation by the works of the law, or braving the judgment of the Almighty. His hopes shall perish. He has no hope beyond the grave. His joys shall perish. The pleasures of sin are only for a season. His name shall perish. "The memory of the just is blessed, but the name of the wicked shall rot." His body shall perish. "Like sheep they are laid in the grave." His soul shall perish; and that in hell, with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord. Let me strive to avoid such a dangerous course, shun the first step that leads to it, and walk in the way of the righteous, that my end may be peace.

"Then, while 't is called to-day, Oh! hear the Gospel's sound; Come, sinners, haste, oh! haste away, While pardon may be found."