would go through them, and burn them up together1." That pointed interrogation, " Who hath hardened himself against God, and prospered ? " must for ever determine this question ; and shew, that to " strive with our Maker" is, to involve our- selves in inevitable and eternal ruin ]
Address —
1. In a way of indignant proof —
[Who amongst us has not been guilty of the crime here reprobated? Yea, whose life has not been one continued act of rebellion against God? Now, if it were " our Maker'' only that had been so treated by us, no words would have been sufficient to declare the enormity of our crime. But our Maker has been our Redeemer also ; yea, and has given his own life a ransom for us: yet have we " trodden under foot his blood" by our contemptuous indifference, and even " crucified him afresh" by our continuance in sin. Judge ye, then, what we deserve at God's hands. And now let me ask, whether ye intend to persist in this conduct ? If ye do, I can say nothing but what Paul said to persons of this character, " Your damna- tion is justk" — ■]
2. In a way of compassionate exhortation —
[The Prophet Jeremiah, having stated the very argument before us, and shewn that God might justly, as a potter, mar the work which had presumed to rise up against him, goes on to observe, that, notwithstanding all our past guilt, God is yet ready to forgive us, if only with penitent and contrite hearts we turn unto him1. And happy am I to confirm this blessed sentiment ; yea, and to declare, that not one, whatever may have been his guilt in past times, shall ever be cast out, provided he come in the name of Jesus Christ, founding his hope on His all-atoning sacrifice, and His all-prevailing intercession. As God's servant, then, I now announce to you these blessed tidings ; and declare, in God's name, that " though your sins may have been red as scarlet, they shall be as snow : though they have been as crimson, they shall be as wool111." Only cease from strife on your part, and God will be reconciled to you, and be your God, for ever and ever.]
1 Isai. xxvii. 4. k Rom. hi. 8.
1 Jer. xviii. 0 — 8. m Isai. i. 18.