none of its solemn shadows and warnings.  A clear luminous perception of the nature and characteristics of that invisible world which is soon to receive them, would make them thoughtful and anxious for their souls; for they would become aware of their utter unfitness, their entire lack of preparation, to see God face to face.  Still, live and act as sinful men may, eternity is over and around them all, even as the firmament is bent over the globe.  If theirs were a penitent and a believing eye, they would look up with adoration into its serene depths, and joyfully behold the soft gleam of its stars, and it would send down upon them the sweet influences of its constellations.  They may shut their eyes upon all this glory, and feel only earthly influences, and continue to be “of the earth, earthy.”  But there is a time coming when they cannot but look at eternity; when this firmament will throw them into consternation by the livid glare of its lightnings, and will compel them to hear the quick rattle and peal of its thunder; when it will not afford them a vision of glory and joy, as it will the redeemed and the holy, but one of despair and destruction.

There is only one shelter from this storm; there is only one covert from this tempest.  He, and only he, who trusts in Christ’s blood of atonement, will be able to look into the holy countenance of God, and upon the dread record of his own sins, without either trembling or despair.  The merits and righteousness of Christ so clothe the guilty soul, that it can endure the otherwise intolerable brightness of God’s pure throne and presence.

  “Jesus!  Thy blood and righteousness,
  My beauty are, my glorious dress;
  Mid flaming worlds, in these arrayed,
  With joy shall I lift up my head.”

Amidst those great visions that are to dawn upon every human creature, those souls will be in perfect peace who trust in the Great Propitiation.  In those great tempests that are to shake down the earth and the sky, those hearts will be calm and happy who are hid in the clefts of the Rock of Ages.  Flee then to Christ, ye prisoners of hope.  Make preparation to know even as you are known, by repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  A voice comes to you out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him.”  Remember, and forget not, that this knowledge of God and your own heart is inevitable. At death, it will all of it flash upon the soul like lightning at midnight.  It will fill the whole horizon of your being full of light.  If you are in Christ Jesus, the light will not harm you.  But if you are out of Christ, it will blast you.  No sinful mortal can endure such a vision an instant, except as he is sprinkled with atoning blood, and clothed in the righteousness of the great Substitute and Surety for guilty man.  Flee then to CHRIST, and so be prepared to know God and your own heart, even as you are known.