Prov. XV. 8. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord : hut the prayer of the upright is his delight.
THE language of Scripture is often extraordinarily emphatic. This not unfrequently arises from the strength of the metaphors that are used to express the mind of the writer : and frequently from his speaking of God in terms, which, in their strict sense, are applicable only to men. Of course, we are not to conceive of God as possessing either parts or passions ; and when either the one or the other are ascribed to him, we must regard it only as a conde- scension to our weakness, which is incapable of comprehending any thing respecting God, except by a sort of comparison of him with man. Of all his natural perfections, such as immensity and eternity, we know nothing at all : that is to say, our knowledge is merely negative. And respecting his moral per- fections, as justice, mercy, truth, we know as little, except as we transfer to him the notions which we have formed of such perfections as exist in the human mind. We associate very distinct ideas with those attributes as applied to man : and by the help of those terms we express what we conceive to regulate the actions of God in the moral government of the universe. In like manner, when we speak of any thing being " an abomination" or " a delight" to God, we mean only, that he will act in reference to that thing as we should towards any thing which excited such feelings in our minds. This is clearly understood by all. No man needs to be informed, that God is not susceptible of such feelings, or capable of those emotions which such feelings import : we therefore, in conformity with Scripture, shall proceed to speak of God in the same figurative language : and we pray God that your minds may be suitably impressed by it, whilst we consider,
I. The truths here asserted —