throughout all his reign ^ : and, though persons in inferior sta- tions cannot hope to produce the sudden and extensive change that he did, yet their labours may convey incalculable benefit to the latest generations : the good impressions that are made on a few will stimulate them to impart the same benefits to their neighbours, and to seek the welfare of those who are within the sphere of their influence : those again will adopt the same line of conduct towards others ; and thus the benefit will be perpetually transmitted from age to age. What might not be hoped for, if magistrates and ministers, parents and masters, would combine in this good work?]
To this we may be encouraged by the consideration that,
II. Such exertions will be acceptable to those who
feel their need of mercy —
[They who are wholly unconcerned about their souls will probably regard such eflforts as officious, ostentatious, hypocri- tical. But if once they become, like the Jews on this occasion, sensible of their guilt and danger, they will no longer consider a reformer as an enemy to the happiness of mankind, but as a blessing to the world. How often is it seen that they who once despised and persecuted a minister for his piety, will send for him in a time of sickness, and be exceeding thankful for his instructions and his prayers ! and many who once joined in con- demning him for his zeal, will afterwards go statedly many miles to attend his ministry. Such is the effect even among strangers and aliens: how much more therefore may we hope to find this acquiescence, when our counsels are enforced with the endear- ments of affection, or the weight of legitimate authority ! Indeed, such interference is expected of us : and we lower ourselves in the estimation even of the ungodly, in proportion as we decline, whether through indolence or fear, these offices of Christian love.]
Such exertions, I say, will be acceptable to many ;
III. Nor will the strictest commands of God's covenant be deemed harsh by those who are in earnest about their souls —
[Men regardless of their eternal state will scarcely hear of any restraint : they will plead for the utmost latitude of indul- gence : and when forced by their convictions to concede some- what of their fancied rights, they will yield only as Pharaoh did, when necessitated by a sense of present judgments, and the fear of more. He at first would not suflTer the Hebrews to
b 2 Chron. xxxiv. 32, 33.