A sample of Asahel Nettleton’s evangelistic preaching:
But what must be the state of every sinner out of Christ? Sinner, in what court will you plead? At the tribunal of justice or of mercy? It is with the kindest intention that you are now called upon to hear that the sentence of eternal death is pronounced upon you, and that this sentence is holy, just, and good. Let the miseries of this life—let the messenger of death, and the dark world of woe, rise up to your view, and testify how awful is that law which condemns you! To vindicate the honour of this broken law, everlasting fire is prepared for the devil and his angels. Here they dwell in endless torments. These, 0 sinner! were once angels of light, and dwelt in the presence of God. But how are they fallen, no more to rise! They sinned against that God whose law now condemns you. ‘The inhabitants of the old world, and of Sodom, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.’
Out of Christ, you are condemned already, and the wrath of God abideth on you. Out of Christ, all your actions hitherto are scanned by this perfect law, and not one sin is pardoned. Out of Christ, you stand this moment in awful hazard of losing your immortal soul, and suffering for every failure of perfect obedience to this holy law. Out of Christ, nothing but the mere mercy of that God in whose hand is your life—the mercy of Him whom you are continually provoking by your sins, this moment holds you from dropping into the flames of hell. What, then, must be the weight of your guilt? If one sin must send an angel of light into the bottomless pit—if, in consequence of Adam’s sin, he, too, with all his posterity, might have been reserved in everlasting chains, under darkness, without one offer of pardoning mercy,—what must be your guilt, when every action is laid in the balance, and found wanting? Oh! that you might hear and tremble! When God in awful majesty pronounced this law from Mount Sinai, His voice then shook the earth, and they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more; for the guilty world could not endure that ‘which was commanded.’ But this law still speaks, however deaf, and however careless the sinner may be—this law still speaks, and proclaims approaching vengeance near.
But, stop! the uplifted arm of vengeance is yet stayed. The collected wrath yet waits a moment. A voice from the mercy-seat—a warning voice is heard. The Saviour calls. Haste, then, 0 sinner! haste to Christ, the only refuge from the storm, and covert from the gathering tempest. Then safe from the fear of evil, at a distance, you shall only hear the thunders roll; while pardon, peace, and eternal life are yours.
—Bennet Tyler, The Life and Labours of Asahel Nettleton (Banner of Truth, 1975), 287–288.
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