energy or affection than those m the text ; yet God calls them the voice, not of folly and enthusiasm, but of " w isdom ;" and, whatever we may think of them, tliey will be found to be " the words of truth and soberness." We are now " in the chief place of con- course," and it is wisdom itself, or God under the name of Wisdom, that now addresses us. The sub- stance of the address may be comprehended under two general observations :
1. To those who receive his invitations, God will be exceeding gracious —
Nothing can be more tender than the expostulation before us —
[The words are addressed not merely to the " simple," but to those who " love simpHcity ;" not only to the ignorant, but to them that "hate knowledge;" not only to those who are destitute of religion, but who "delight to scoff" at it. What can we suppose that God should say to such daring trans- gressors ? What, but to denounce the heaviest judgments? But " he is God and not man," and therefore he speaks to them as God, in terms of inconceivable love and mercy ; "How long will ye love your evil and destructive ways ? " Will not " the past time suffice to have followed" them? Have they been so pleasant or profitable that ye will forego all the hap- piness of heaven for them? or, if ye intend to turn away from them, have ye fixed the period of your conversion ? " How long " do you intend to persist ? Till the time of sickness, and the hour of death ? or till some more convenient season ? Ah ! " turn you at my reproof;" let the words of a Father and a Friend prevail with you : do not attempt to justify your actions ; or to extenuate your guilt : you see clearly enough that your conduct is indefensible : turn, turn from it without delay — ]
The promises, with which the expostulation is enforced, add greatly to its weight —
[A consciousness both of weakness and of ignorance often contributes to keep men mider the power of their sins — A thought arises in their minds, ' I know not how to turn ; I know not how to obtain either the pardon of my sins, or victory over my lusts.' But God obviates at once all such discouraging reflections. He says in efiect, 'Are your cor- ruptions insuperable by any efforts of your own ? "I will pour out my Spirit " to sanctify you throughout. Are you at a loss
753.1 god's gracious invitations. 3
how to obtain my favour? " I will make known to you the words of life ;" I will reveal my Son in your heart ; I will shew you the efficacy of his atonement, and make you wise unto salvation through faitli in him.' Thus does he silence their objections, and dissipate their fears : " Behold, what manner of love" is this ! surely we should not hear of it but with wonder ; we should not receive its overtures, but with grateful adoration — ]
But " God will not always strive with man." On the contrary,
II. They, who despise his invitations, shall be given up to final impenitence and ruin —
The contempt too generally poured upon the mercy of God, is awful in the extreme —
[One would suppose that such invitations and promises could not fail of producing the desired effect. But, alas, the reception they meet with is such as God himself represents it : men " refuse to obey his calls ; when he stretches out his hands to them with parental tenderness and importunate entreaties, they will not regard him ; they set at nought his counsel ; they despise his reproof; they hate even to hear of their duty, and determine, whatever be the consequence, that they will not perform it." The zeal and earnestness of his ministers are made a subject of profane ridicule ; and the dictates of wisdom are laughed at as the effusions of folly and fanaticism. We appeal to the consciences of all respecting these things. Who that has made any observations on the world around him, or on what passes in his own heart, must not attest that these things are so ? Yes ; we are all guilty : " This has been our manner from our youth." Some have been more open and notorious, and others more secret and reserved, in their oppositions to God's will ; but all have opposed it, and, if divine grace have not slain our enmity, we are opposing it still : the deliberate sen- timent of every unregenerate man is like theirs of old, " As for the word which thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee^".]