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we do know is unsatisfactory。
His pleading for Zoar； because it was 〃a little one；〃his departure
from Zoar afterwardsand his conduct in the caveall； all tell the
same story。 All show the weakness of the grace that was in him； and how
low the state of soul into which he had fallen。
We know not how long he lived after his escape。 We know not where he
died； or when he diedwhether he saw Abraham againwhat was the
manner of his deathwhat he said or what he thought。 All these are
hidden things。 We are told of the last days of Abraham； Isaac； Jacob；
Joseph； Davidbut not one word about Lot。 Oh； what a gloomy deathbed
the deathbed of Lot must have been！
The Scripture appears to draw a veil around him on purpose。 There is a
painful silence about his latter end。 He seems to go out like an
expiring lamp； and to leave an ill…savour behind him。 And had we not
been specially told in the New Testament that Lot was 〃just〃 and
〃righteous；〃 I verily believe we should have doubted whether Lot was a
saved soul at all。
But I do not wonder at his sad end。 Lingering believers will generally
reap according as they have sown。 Their lingering often meets them when
their spirit is departing。 They have little peace at the last。 They
reach heaven； to be sure； but they reach it in poor plight； weary and
footsore； in weakness and tears； in darkness and storm。 They are saved；
but 〃saved so as by fire。〃 （1 Cor。 iii。 15。）
I ask every reader of this paper to consider the three things which I
have just mentioned。 Do not misunderstand my meaning。 It is amazing to
observe how readily people catch at the least excuse for
misunderstanding the things that concern their souls！
I do not tell you that believers who do not 〃linger〃 will； as a matter
of course； be great instruments of usefulness to the world。 Noah
preached one hundred and twenty years； and none believed him。 The Lord
Jesus was not esteemed by His own people； the Jews。
Nor yet do I tell you that believers who do not linger； will； as a
matter of course； be the means of converting their families and
relatives。 David's children were； many of them； ungodly。 The Lord Jesus
was not believed on even by His own brethren。
But I do say it is almost impossible not to see some connection between
Lot's evil choice and Lot's lingeringand between Lot's lingering and
his unprofitableness to his family and the world。 I believe the Spirit
meant us to see it。 I believe the Spirit meant to make him a beacon to
all professing Christians。 And I am sure the lessons I have tried to
draw from the whole history deserve serious reflection。
And now let me speak a few parting words to all who read this paper；
and especially to all who call themselves believers in Christ。
I have no wish to make your hearts sad。 I do not want to give you a
gloomy view of the Christian course。 My only object is to give you
friendly warnings。 I desire your peace and fort。 I would fain see
you happy as well as safeand joyful； as well as justified。 I speak as
I have done for your good。
You live in days when a lingering； Lot…like religion abounds。 The
stream of profession is far broader than it once was； but far less deep
in many places。 A certain kind of Christianity is almost fashionable
now。 To belong to some party in the Church of England； and show a zeal
for its intereststo talk about the leading controversies of the
dayto buy popular religious books as fast as they e out； and lay
them on your tableto attend meetingsto subscribe to Societiesto
discuss the merits of preachersto be enthusiastic and excited about
every new form of sensational religion which crops upall these are
now paratively easy and mon attainments。 They no longer make a
person singular。 They require little or no sacrifice。 They entail no
cross。
But to walk closely with Godto be really spiritually…mindedto
behave like strangers and pilgrimsto be distinct from the world in
employment of time； in conversation； in amusements； in dressto bear a
faithful witness for Christ in all placesto leave a savour of our
Master in every societyto be prayerful； humble； unselfish；
good…tempered； quiet； easily pleased； charitable； patient； meekto be
jealously afraid of all manner of sin； and tremblingly alive to our
danger from the worldthese； these are still rare things！ They are not
mon among those who are called true Christians； and； worst of all；
the absence of them is not felt and bewailed as it should be。
In a day like this I venture to offer counsel to every believing reader
of this paper。 Do not turn away from it。 Do not be angry with me for
plain speaking。 I bid you 〃give diligence to make your calling and
election sure；〃 （2 Peter i。 10。） I bid you not to be slothfulnot to
be careless； not to be content with a small measure of gracenot be
satisfied with being a little better than the world。 I solemnly warn
you not to attempt doing what never can be doneI mean； to serve
Christ and yet keep in with the world。 I call upon you； and beseech you
to be a whole…hearted Christian； to follow after eminent holiness； to
aim at a high degree of sanctification； to live a consecrated life； to
present your body a 〃living sacrifice〃 unto God； to 〃walk in the
spirit。〃 （Rom。 xii。 1； Gal。 v。 25。） I charge you； and exhort youby
all your hopes of heaven and desires of glory； if you would be happy；
if you would be usefuldo not be a lingering soul。
Would you know what the times demand？The shaking of nationsthe
uprooting of ancient thingsthe overturning of kingdomsthe stir and
restlessness of men's mindswhat do they say？ They all cry
aloudChristian！ do not linger！
Would you be found ready for Christ at His second appearingyour loins
girdedyour lamp burningyourself bold； and prepared to meet Him？
Then do not linger！
Would you enjoy much sensible fort in your religionfeel the
witness of the Spirit within youknow whom you have be