ead necessity, for what you do, or permit to be
done; but the word of God by which you must be at last judged, admits,
of no plea, or excuse. The command is positive and absolute. The
declaration of God, Thou shalt not commit adultery [Exod. xx. 14], is
equally binding upon persons of all ranks to whom it is known, at all
times, and in all places. Think not, that the holy and just God will
dispense with his law, or relax the sentence he has denounced against the
breach of it, that you may with impunity indulge your corrupt desires. No;
it is written, whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. The apostle
declares that no fornicator, adulterer, or unclean person, can enter
into the kingdom of God; he repeats this warning nearly in the same
words, a second and a third time. The heavens and the earth shall pass
away; but not one jot or tittle of his word can fail. All shall be
fulfilled [Heb. xiii. 4.; Gal. v. 17-21.; Eph. v. 3-5.]. And therefore,
however this sin may be connived at by some, and committed by others, God
will severely punish offenders, unless they repent of their wickedness
and forsake it.

But I need not enlarge upon this subject, I have told you my
thoughts of it again and again with faithfulness. It seems the
plainness of my language has hurt the delicate feelings of some, and the
faithfulness I have used has excited the censure and ill-will of
others. But why am I blamed, if I have only affirmed and proved from
the scriptures, that no fornicator, adulterer, or unclean person can
go to heaven WHEN HE DIES, unless he repents of his evil practices, and
turns from them, WHILE HE LIVES?

But whether you will hear, or whether you will forbear, I must repeat
the unwelcome truth. My conscience, my duty, and my compassion, all
urge me to deal faithfully with you. I mean and desire to be understood,
and therefore I must speak plainly. It is my intention and
desire to awaken and alarm your consciences: but alas! after all I can
say or do, I am too little understood or regarded. But I must deliver
my own soul, whether you will regard me or not. The day is
coming when the Lord himself will judge between you and me. Oh, repent,
repent, before it be too late.

III. The conduct of too many of you induces me to exhort and caution
you farther against theft, and all kinds of dishonesty and villainy.

I have often told you, both publicly and privately, that honesty is the
best policy. None have more reason to be co