Ps. xii. 4. Who is Lord over us ?
THAT " the world lieth in wickedness," is a truth generally acknowledged. But it is by the more heinous acts alone that men in general estimate the wickedness around them : whereas in order to form a correct judgment, they should mark the alienation of heart from God which is observable, not in gross sinners only, but in the more moral and decent part of mankind. A spirit of independence pervades all ranks and orders of men : and though all do not live in the same measure of open rebellion against God, all have a standard of their own, to which to conform their lives ; and, in reference to all beyond it, they say, as those in my text, " Who is Lord over lis ? " To illustrate this, I will shew,
I. The atheism of the heart —
Whether there be any who really believe there is no Supreme Being, I think, may well be doubted ; since there is not an ignorant savage who does not imagine that there is some Being superior to himself, and some Being that taketh cognizance of his deport- ment. But a secret atheism abounds in every place ; insomuch, that all who are yet in a state of nature will ask, " Who is Lord over us 9" Who,
L To inspect our ways ?
[That this is the sentiment of the unregenerate heart is evident, from the declaration which is made in another Psalm, which the Apostle quotes as applicable to every child of man : " He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten : he hideth his face : he will never see it." And again, " He hath said in his heart. Thou wilt not require it^." If persons were sensible of the divine presence, and that God marks every motion of their hearts, could they give such a latitude as they do to sin, or commit it with so little fear ? No: if they are hid from the eyes of men, they are satisfied : and that which was erro- neously imputed by Eliphaz to Job, is really fulfilled in them; " They say. How doth God know ? Can he judge through the
a Ps. X. 11, 13.