Hence we may easily account for, III. The strength of their delusions —
" They cannot deliver their souls" —
[Truly, as our Liturgy well expresses it, they " are tied and bound with the chain of their sins." The whole generation of ungodly men are "led captive by the devil, at his willc," and are " carried away to their idols, even as they are ledd." Amongst them all there are few, if any, who have not felt at times some desire to liberate themselves from their thraldom, and formed some purpose to turn unto their God. But they
1 Eccles. ix. 3. « Jer. xvii. 9. x Rom. vii. 23.
y John hi. 19, 20. * Deut. xxix. 19. a Hos. iv. 12.
b Jam. i. 14, 15. c 2 Tim. ii. 26. ll 1 Cor. xii. 2.
have not been able to effect it ; their inward lusts have been too strong for them, and their deep-rooted habits too inveterate ; so that " they could no more change their course of life, than an Ethiopian could change his skin, or a leopard his spotse." Their good desires have perhaps been renewed from time to time; but have soon vanished again; "their goodness being only as a morning cloud, or as the early clew that passeth awayf." In a time of sickness possibly, and at the expected appi'oach of death, they may appear to have gained the victory over their corruptions. But no resolutions of theirs have been found sufficient. Returning health has brought with it renewed temptations ; and these have borne down all their purposes, which have snapped asunder, as the cords or withs with which Sampson was bound: and the poor devotees of this world have returned again to their idols, " as a dog to his vomit, and as a sow that is washed to her wallowing in the mire."]
" They cannot even say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?"
[Even to consider their ways with any seriousness, is an effort beyond their power. I mean not that they are under any natural incapacity for this ; but such is their moral weakness, and such the strength of their corrupt nature, that they cannot do what their better judgment would dictate. If they attempt to read or pray, their minds start aside from the employment, "even as a deceitful bowg:" and their thoughts quickly rove to the very ends of the earth. It is said of Satan, that, " as a strong man armed, he keepeth his palace, and his goods are in peace h." And this is verified in experience : for he keepeth his vassals from considering their bondage ; he suggests to them that they will have some more convenient season for such un- welcome reflections; and he thus induces them to " think only of peace and safety, till sudden destruction come upon them1,'' and they " perish without a remedy k." One would indeed scarcely conceive it possible that rational and immortal beings should be so insensible in the midst of their dangers, and against all the dictates of their better judgment : but so it is : they are willingly deceived, and are therefore "given over to a delusion to believe their own lie1:" and so "vain are they in their imaginations, and so darkened in their foolish hearts"1," that to bid them examine whether they have not a lie in their right hand, is as great an offence to them, as it would be to a poor, blind, infatuated heathen.]
e Jer. xiii. 23. f Hos. vi. 4. s Ps. lxxviii. 57. Hos. vii. 10. h Luke xi. 21. '1 Thess. v. 3. k Prov. xxix. 1. • 2 Thess. ii. 11. m Rom. i. 21.
936. j the folly of spiritual idolatry. 189
Infer —
1. How thankful should we be for a Saviour!
[If God had not "laid help for us upon One that is mighty," who amongst us could ever be saved? Blessed be God, if there is " a strong man armed that has enslaved us, there is a stronger than he, that has overcome him, and taken from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divided his spoils";" and at this moment sends his servants to proclaim, in his name, " liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound0." The very first sermon which he himself ever preached on earth was to this effect p. In his name therefore I now " preach the acceptable year of the Lord," even the year of Jubilee, wherein every slave may assert his liberty, and claim the possession of his forfeited inheritance. Rejoice then, Brethen, in these glad tidings : and now " cast your idols to the moles and to the bats." Feed no more on ashes : let not a deceived heart any longer turn you aside : but deliver your souls ; and come forth into the light and liberty of the children of God. If your past idolatries have involved your souls in guilt, there is a sufficiency in the blood of Christ to cleanse you from itq: if your corruptions appear so inveterate that you cannot hope to subdue them, " the grace of Christ shall be sufficient for your." Only seek henceforth your all in him, and " you shall be saved by him with an everlasting salvation: you shall not be ashamed or confounded, world without ends."]