Ps. lxxviii. 32, 33. For all this, they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works. Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.
IT is a saying of Solomon's, that " he who sovveth iniquity, shall reap vanity a:" and the truth of this is remarkably illustrated throughout all the history of God's ancient people. The Jews were, beyond all comparison, the most favoured people upon earth : and if they had made a due improvement of their mercies, they would have been as much exalted above others in happiness, as they were in their outward privileges. But neither mercies nor judgments could prevail upon them to yield themselves unfeignedly to God. The mercies they received were so signal, that one would have supposed it impossible for them to forget the Donor. Their judgments, too, on some occasions were so awful, that one would have sup- posed fear should supply the place of love, and con- strain them to turn to God with their whole hearts. In the preceding part of this psalm, these dealings of God with them are especially referred to : yet, in my text we are told, " They sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works." In consequence of this, they reaped according to what they sowed : for, on account of this incorrigibleness, " God consumed their days in vanity and their years in trouble."
But is that generation passed away ? Is there not amongst us the same obstinacy in sin ? and do we not feel the same effects of transgression ? Yes, verily, they are a mirror in which we may see our own image ; and the events of their days are still visible in ours. This will appear, whilst I shew, I. The incorrigible obstinacy of sinners —
God diversifies his dealings with us for our good —
[Our temporal mercies, public, social, personal, have been
equal to any that have been vouchsafed to any people under
heaven But what shall I say of our spiritual mercies?
Verily, if a preached Gospel be the greatest of all mercies, we have indeed very abundant reason to acknowledge the tran- scendent goodness of God to us In some instances,
too, has God dealt with us, both individually and collectively,
in a way of paternal chastisement ]
But to an awful extent have we persisted in im- penitence and unbelief —
a Prov. xxii. 8.