2. That there is no " sentence " gone forth against it —
[Men would gladly persuade themselves that they have no cause to fear. The temptation whereby the serpent beguiled Eve is cherished by them ^. But the wrath of God is indeed denounced against sin'. Every species and degree of sin ren- ders us obnoxious to his displeasure ™.]
3. That the sentence (if there be any) will never be '' executed" —
[Since God defers punishing, it seems possible that he may decline it altogether. The apparent disproportion between the offence and the punishment seems to countenance this idea. To confirm our hope we are apt to compare God with ourselves ". But, however long God delay, he will surely strike at last°.]
Thus it is that men act in every age —
f 1 Tim. iv. 2. e Jer. viii. 5, 6. ^2 Pet. ii. 4—6.
i Eph. V. 6. k Gen. iii. 4. > Rom. ii. 8, 9.
» Rom. i. 18. n Ps. 1. 21. ° Eccl. viii. 12, 13.
[David mentions this effect as arising from it in his day p. St. Peter foretells the prevalence of this iniquity in the last days''. Experience proves how universally it obtains at this hour.]
Infer —
1. How great the folly, as well as wickedness, of unregenerate men !
[If there were only a bare possibility of eternal punishment, how mad were it to continue in sin ! But God has pledged himself that he will inflict it on the impenitent ^. Every mo- ment's continuance in sin increases the condemnation ^ What extreme folly then is it so to abuse the forbearance of God ! May we be ashamed of ourselves, and repent in dust and ashes.]
2. What need have we to be cleansed by the blood
and Spirit of Christ !
[What but the blood of Christ can ever expiate the guilt we have contracted ? What but the Spirit of Christ can ever deliver us from such habits? That we can never renew our own souls is certain*^. Let us therefore wash in the fountain opened for us " ; and let us apply to God for his almighty aid''.]
3. How dreadful must be the state of those who continue impenitent !
[There is a certain measure of iniquity which sinners are left to fill up y : when this is full, nothing can avert the divine vengeance ^. Already are the arrows of divine justice pointed at them ^ Eternity itself will be the duration of the j)unish- ment''. The time is coming when Jerusalem's state Avill be ours'^. Let us then tremble lest we exhaust the divine patience*^. Let us diligently improve this day of salvation ''.]
P Ps. Iv. 19. 1 2 Pet. iii. 3, 4. >■ Matt. xxv. 46.
s Rom. ii. 4, 5. t jgr. xiii. 23. " Zech. xiii. 1.
^ Lam. V. 21. y Gen. xv. 16. ^ 1 Thess. ii. 16.
a Ps. vii. 1 1—13. ^ Mark ix. 43—48. <= Luke xix. 42.
d Zeph. ii. 2, 3. ^2 Cor. vi. 2.