II. To point out some lessons which may be learned from it —
We of course pass over those things which are less appropriate, and fix our attention upon those which seem to arise most naturally out of the subject before us.
We may learn then,
1. The importance of preventing or punishing sin —
[The concurrence of the elders and the priests in this ordi- nance shews, that magistrates and ministers should unite their efforts for the preservation of the public morals, and the averting of guilt from the land in which they dwell. To discourage, detect, and punish it, should be their constant endeavour ; that the interests of society may not suffer, and that the honour of God may be maintained. The magistrate ought " not to bear the sword in vain :" he should be " a terror to evil-doers, and a revenger to execute wrath upon them :" and though it does not comport so well with the ministerial office to be exercising civil authority, the minister should be forward on every occa- sion to aid and stimulate to the utmost of his power those whom God has ordained to be his vicegerents upon earth
Were such a co-operation more common, the flagrant
violations of the Sabbath, and a thousand other enormities which are daily committed in our streets, would vanish at least from public view, and in a great measure be prevented.
But it is not only public sin which should be thus discoun- tenanced ; the crimes perpetrated in secret, and especially the hidden abominations of our own hearts, should be carefully investigated by us, and unreservedly suppressed. Every one should consider sin, of whatever kind it be, as that " abominable thing which God hateth:" and should remember, that, though it should never be detected and punished in this world, God will expose it in the world to come, and manifest his righteous indignation against all who commit it. Then at least, if not now, " our sin will find us out :" and therefore it becomes us now with all diligence to search and try ourselves, and to beg of God also to " search and try us, to see if there be any wicked way in us, and to lead us in the way everlasting."]
2. The comfort of a good conscience —
[The persons who were thus solemnly to assert their inno- cence in the presence of God, would doubtless feel happy that they were able to make their appeal to him in truth. To do so with respect to all sin, would be impossible, because " there is no man that liveth and sinneth not:" but with respect to allowed and indulged sin, we all ought to be able to call God to witness
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