Ps. xxxvi. 2. He Jiattereth himself in Iiis onm eyes, until his iniquity he found to he hateful.
IT may well astonish us to see how careless and indifferent men are about the favour of God. But the Psalmist assigns the true reason for it. Every one cherishes in his mind some delusion, whereby he lulls his conscience asleep ; and thus, notwithstand- ing his guilt and danger, rests satisfied with his state, till God himself interpose, in a way of mercy or of judgment, to undeceive him.
To elucidate his words, we shall,
L Point out some of the self-flattering delusions which are commonly entertained —
We shall notice some which obtain,
1 . Among the careless world —
[They imagine that God does not regard the conduct of his creatures^ Or, that he is too merciful to con- sign them over to everlasting perdition ^ Or that, at
least, a little repentance will suffice '^ Or that, at all
^ Job xxii. 13. Ps. xciv. 7. But it is a sad delusion, Prov. xv. 3. 1 Cor. iv. 5. Eccl. xii. 14. Deut. xxix. 19, 20.
^ Zeph. i. 12. 2 Pet. iii. 4. But this is also a fatal error, Ps. ix. 17. and 2 Pet. ii. 4, 5, G, 9.
'^ Repentance is not so small a thing as men suppose. It is nothing less than a thorough renovation of the heart in all its powers ; a putting off the old man, and a putting on the new, John iii. 3. Eph. iv. 22—24.