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I. THE CHARACTERS SPECIFIED.

1. All those who wilfully violate the plain and positive precepts of God. Drinkers. Profane persons. Those who dishonour God's holy-day. The dishonest.

2. All the persecutors of the people of God.

3. All hypocrites and impostors in religion.

4. All must be denominated wicked who are unregenerate. Wickedness is not a superficial defect, but a profound radical principle, deeply rooted in the heart of man. The "nations that forget God" refers to heathen nations whose gods were idols. The wicked are described as they who "forget God" — in His character as Benefactor and as Sovereign. He forgets the all-prevailing presence of God, and he forgets the Word of God.

II. THE AFFIRMATION MADE CONCERNING HIM. "Turned into hell." Note, the place into which they shall he turned; "the manner how it will be done; and the certainty of the affirmation. "Hell" describes —

1. A place of punishment;

2. The nature of the punishment;

3. The exquisite sense of punishment the wicked will feel;

4. The companions of their punishment;

5. The perpetuity of it. "The wicked shall be turned into hell." This shall be done unexpectedly, suddenly, irresistibly. The certainty of the affirmation in the text may be inferred —

1. From the general consent of mankind;

2. From the justice of the moral governor of the universe;

3. From the moral unfitness of the wicked for any other situation;

4. And from the testimony of Holy Scripture.

(Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons.)

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KJV: The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

WEB: The wicked shall be turned back to Sheol, even all the nations that forget God.