Every unbeliever is presently in a state of condemnation!
He is condemned, BY WHOM? By God, the righteous Judge, the Judge of all.
He is condemned, FOR WHAT? Not merely for breaking the law–but for insulting the Lawgiver, by refusing a pardon, procured at no less a cost than the death of his Son, and presented in the everlasting gospel.
He is condemned, WHEN? Now, already! At this moment, while he reads these lines! The manacled criminal in his cell, waiting for the day of execution, is not more really condemned, than is every unbeliever!
He is condemned, TO WHAT? Ah, who can tell? His punishment is represented . . .
by blackness, darkness, and a horrible tempest!
By weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth!
By a lake of fire, a bottomless pit, and a gnawing worm which never dies!
He is condemned, WITH WHOM? The devil and his demons–and with most depraved of the human race!
He is condemned, BY WHAT? Both the law–and the gospel; both the Creator–and the Savior!
See then, every unbeliever’s state–he is condemned already! Yes, however moral the life, however amiable the disposition–he is condemned already! Condemned to be driven from God, from holy angels, from blessed believers; and to be associated with devils and damned souls forever! Condemned, just because he would not believe in Jesus–he would not accept the pardon–he would not be reconciled to God.
O strange infatuation! O fearful delusion! O astonishing power of sin!
