are ; performed from a sense of duty, rather than from inclina- tion ; and with a view to satisfy their conscience, rather than to enjoy and glorify their God ! In a word, instead of pointing like the needle to the pole, their heart rests indifferently in any other position than the right ; and never, unless from some forcible impulse, and for a moment, points towards God as its rest at all. And how is it with the greater part of those who profess godliness ? As the former " set not their heart aright," so these " in their spirit are not steadfast with God." What lamentable instability is found in many who embrace the Gospel as a system, and number themselves amongst the Israel of God ! They " name the name of Christ ; but depart not from ini- quity :" they " profess to know him ; but in works deny him :" they " have a name to live ; but are really dead :" or, if they " run well, it is only for a season ;" they are soon diverted from their course ; they are drawn aside by temptation ; and though they " begin in the Spirit, they end in the flesh." Thus it was in the Apostle's days : and thus we are taught to expect it will be in every age, till that blessed period shall arrive, when " all nations shall serve the Lord," and " the Canaanite no more be found in the house of the Lord of hosts." The good-ground hearers are but few, in comparison of those whose unfruitfulness or instability disappoint the efforts of the labourer. Discontent with respect to what God has done, and distrust as to what he will do ; a love of present gratifications, and a contempt of future good ; a renunciation of God himself for base and worthless idols ; are not evils peculiar to that generation: they exist and operate amongst ourselves with undiminished force ; and in the conduct of the Israelites we have a mirror, wherein we may see our own faces, with the exception of a few who serve God in spirit and in truth. There is indeed, thanks be unto God! " a generation of righteous" persons, who are truly " upright," and truly " blessed d." But, for the most part, the present generation has little reason to boast against that which is mentioned in our text : yea rather, inasmuch as our privileges exceed theirs, and our obligations to holiness are greater, it may well be doubted whether we are not more criminal than they ; and whether they in the day of judgment will not rise up against us and condemn us.]
Address,
1. Those who are satisfied with themselves —
[We are told that " there is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, but are not washed from their filthinesse." Yes, thousands are well satisfied with themselves on account of their outward morality, though they have no real spirituality
d Ps. xiv. 5. and txii. 2. e Prov. xxx. 12.