1. The deceitfulness of the human heart is strikingly exhibited in the different judgments which men pass upon themselves and others ; con- demning in others what they excuse in themselves. And it not unfre- quently happens that the most censorious are the most criminal, vs. 1, 3.
2. How does the goodness of God affect us ? If it does not lead us to repentance, it will harden our hearts and aggravate our condemnation, vs. 4, 5.
3. Genuine repentance is produced by discoveries of God's mercy, legal repentance by fear of his justice, v. 4.
4. Any doctrine which tends to produce security in sin must be false. The proper effect of the enjoyment of peculiar advantages is to increase our sense of responsibility, and our gratitude to God, and not to make us suppose that we are his special favourites. God is no respecter of per- sons, vs. 3 — 10.
5. How vain the hopes of future blessedness, indulged by the immo- ral, founded upon the expectation either that God will not deal with them according to their works, or that the secrets of their hearts will not be discovered ! vs. 6 — 10, 16.
6. If God is a just God, his wrath is not to be escaped by evasions, but in the way of his own appointment. If we have no righteousness of our own, we must seek that of the Saviour, vs. 1 — 16.
7. He who died for the sins of men is to sit in judgment upon sinners. How dreadful for those who reject his atonement! How delightful for those who confide in his merit ! v. 16.