i2.j We sbould Iiatc sin the more, the nearer it comes to us, in our cbildren and friends, or any otber way. It was David's fault to let Absalom bis son go unreproved in bis wicked practices, and Eli for not correcting bis sons. We see wbat came of it, even tbeir utter overtbrow.
[3.] He tbat truly bates sin ivill not think much to he admonished and reproved idien he errs. A man that batb a bad plant in bis ground, tbat will eat out tbe beart of it, will not bate anotber tbat sball discover sucb an evil to bim ; so if any one sball reprove tbee for this or tbat sin, and thou bate bim for it, it is a sign corruption is sweet to thee.
Only this caution must be remembered, reproof must not be given with a proud spirit, but in a loving, mild manner, witb desire of doing good. Tbere is a great deal of self-love in some men, who, instead of bating sin iu themselves and others, approve and countenance it, especially in great men, flattering them in tbeir base humours, and fearing lest by telling them the truth they should be esteemed their enemies.
[4.] Our hatred of sin may be discerned inj our wiUiiir/ness to talk of it. He that hates a snake, or toad, will flee from it ; so a man tbat truly abhors sin, will not endure to come near the occasions of it. Wbat shall we say then of those tbat prostitute themselves to all sinful delights ? As hatred of sin is in our aflection, so it will appear in our actions. Those that love to see sin acted did never as yet truly loathe it.
It is a sign tbat we do not bate sin when we take not to beart the sins of our land. ' Woe is me that I am constrained to dwell in the tents of Kedar,' saith David ; ' mine eyes gush out with tears because men keep not thy law/ Ps. cxx. 5. Lot's soul was vexed at the unclean conversation of the wicked, 2 Peter ii. 7. But, alas ! bow do we come short of tbis ! Tbe greatest number are so far from mourning for the abominations of the land, that they rather set themselves against God in a most disobedient manner, and press others to sin against him. Are magistrates of David's mind, to labour to cut off all workers of iniquity from the land ? Indeed, for small trifling things they will do a man justice, but where is the tender- ness of God's glory ? Where are those that seek to reform idolatry, Sabbath-breaking, and profaneness amongst us ? Pity it is to see how many do bold the stirrup to tbe devil, by giving occasions and encourage- ments to others to commit evil. Do we hate sin, when we are like tinder, ready to receive tbe least motion to it, as our fashion-mongers, who trans- form themselves into evcrj' effeminate unbeseeming guise ? Shall we say that these men bate sin, wbicb, when they are reproved for it, labour to defend it or excuse it, counting their pride but comeliness, their miserable covetousness but thirst, | and drunkenness only good fellowship ? * Iu margin here, ' Signs of a true hatred of sin.' — G. f Qu. ' thrift ' ? — Ed.
THE ART OF SELF-HUMBLING. 55
To strengthen our indignation against sin the better, consider,
1. The lujllness thereof, how opposite and distasteful it is to the Almighty, as appears in Sodom and in the old world. It is that for which God himself hates his own creature, and for which he will say to the wicked at the day of judgment, ' Go, ye cursed, into everlasting fire,' Mat. xxv. 41. Sin is the cause of all those diseases and crosses that befall the sons of men. It hath its rise from the devil, who is the father of it, and whose lusts we do when- soever we ofiend God.
There is not the least sin but it is committed against an infinite majesty, yea, against a good God, to whom we owe ourselves and all that we have, who waits when you will turn to him and live for ever ; but if you despise his goodness, and continue still to provoke the eyes of his glory, is a terrible and revengeful* God, and ready every moment to destroy both body and soul in hell.
Sin is the bane of all comfort. That which we love more than our souls undoes us. It embitters every comfort, and makes that we cannot perform duties with spiritual life. Our very prayers are abominable to God so long as we live in known sin. What makes the hour of death and the day of judgment terrible but this ?
2. Again, Grow in the love of God. The more we delight in him, the more we shall hate whatsoever is contrary to him. In that proportion that we affect God and his truth we will abhor every evil way, for these go together. Ye that love the Lord, hate the thing that is ill. The nearer we draw to him, the farther we are separated from everything below.
3. And to strengthen our indignation against sin, we should drive our affections (mother uay, and set them upon the ri</ht object. A Christian should consider, Wherefore did God give me this affection of love ? Was it to set it on this or that lust, or any sinful course ? Or hath he given me this affection of hatred that I should envy my brethren, and condemn the good way ? No, surely. I ought to improve every faculty of my soul to the glory of the giver, by loving that which he loves, and hating that which he hates. God's truth, his ways, and children, are objects worthy our love, and Satan with his deeds of darkness the fittest subjects of our indignation and hatred.