[They will confess that they are not altogether so good as they might be ; but they do not think they deserve God's wrath and indignation. Why then should they trouble themselves to ask for mercy at his hands, when they are in no danger of suffering his judgments?]
c I Cor. ii. 14. ^ Ezek. xx. 49.
e Ps. xciv. 7. ^ Deut. xxix. 19.
They are also too strong to need his aid —
[They imagine, that they can repent when they please, and that, whensoever they resolve, they can easily carry their resolutions into effect. If they thought that " without God they could do nothing," and that " he must give them both to will and to do," then there were reason for imploring his assistance : but, when they acknowledge no such dependence upon God, wherefore should they seek his aid?]
Moreover, they are too wise to need the teachings of
his Spirit —
[They see, perhaps, their need of a revelation to discover to them the mind and will of God ; but, when that is once given, they are not conscious that they need a spiritual illu- mination to discover the truths contained in it. They suppose their reason to be as sufficient for the investigation of spiritual, as of carnal things : and under that persuasion, they consider all appHcation to God for the teachings of his Spirit, as enthu- siastic and absurd.]
Finally, they are too haj)py to need the divine pre- sence—
[They are occupied with carnal pleasure, and wish for nothing beyond it. If only they can have the undisturbed indulgence of their appetites, it is, to them, all the Paradise they desire. As for the light of God's countenance, and the manifestations of his love, they know not what is meant by such things ; they suppose that they exist only in the preten- sions of hypocrites, and the conceits of fanatics.
In short, like those of Laodicea, they possess such an ima- ginary sufficiency within themselves, that they have no need of God at alls. And hence it is that they care not to have God in all their thoiights.]
Infer —
1. How astonishing is the depravity of human nature !
[If all be not equally addicted to gross sins, all are equally ''without God in the world "^f all have a " carnal mind that is enmity against God*." Alas! What a picture of human nature ! Let " every mouth then be stopped, and all the world become guilty before God''."]
2. How great is the change that takes place in conversion !
g Rev. iii. 17. ^ Eph. ii. 12.
i Rom. viii. 7. ^ Rom, ij}, lo, 11, 12, 19.
505. j men's contempt of god. 43
[The state of a converted soul forms a perfect contrast with that of the \^dcked. " Old things pass away, and all things become new." Let all then ask themselves, Am I now devoting myself to God, as once I did to the world ; and despismg the world, as once I despised God ? This were indeed " a new creation'."]
3. How necessary is conversion in order to an enjoyment of heaven !
[There must be vnthin ourselves a meetness for heaven before we can enjoy if". Let not those then who banish God fi'om their thoughts, and cast off his yoke, suppose that they could be happy in heaven, even if they were adiuitted tliere. If they would find happiness in God for ever, they must attain in this world a conformity to his image, and a delight in his commandments.]
1 2 Cor. v. 17. n^ Col. i. 12.