I cannot forget the words of a dying man who often heard John Newton preach: "Sir, you often told me of Christ and salvation; why did you not oftener remind me of hell and danger?"
Let others hold their peace about hell if they will—I dare not do so. I see it plainly in Scripture, and I must speak of it. I fear that thousands are on that broad way that leads to it, and I would fain arouse them to a sense of the peril before them.
What would you say of the man who saw his neighbor's house in danger of being burned down, and never raised the cry of "Fire"? What ought to be said of us as ministers, if we call ourselves watchmen for souls, and yet see the fires of hell raging in the distance, and never give the alarm?
Call it bad taste if you like, to speak of hell. Call it charity to make things pleasant, and speak smoothly, and soothe men with a constant lullaby of peace. My notion of charity is ever to warn men plainly of danger. My notion of taste in the ministerial office is to declare all the counsel of God. If I never spoke of hell, I would think I had kept back something that was essential, and would look on myself as an accomplice of the devil! J. C. Ryle "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God." Psa. 9:1717The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. (Psalm 9:17).
"FLEE FROM THE WRATH TO COME!" Luke 3: 7.
"He that cometh to God must believe that He h, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."