eternal world, if by " prophesying smooth things" we contribute to your ruin. We must, then, speak, " whether you will hear or whether you will forbear ;" and must warn you, that nothing but present and eternal misery can be expected, whilst you continue impenitent in your sins r ]
2. To the people — [Though the text does not particularly specify your duty, the context does, and warns you that an attention to it is the only means of quenching that wrath which is now flaming against you. The advice given you by the prophet may be comprised in three particulars : Seek to have your obstinate
hearts softened Put away the evils which have provoked
God's displeasure against you and, Get your hearts
thoroughly renewed and sanctified by divine grace s
We accuse not all as manifesting the same obduracy, or as loaded with the same degrees of guilt ; but if all would search into their own hearts, they might find much impenitence and unbelief to mourn over, and much worldliness and carnality to put away : even those who make a profession of religion, if they would examine themselves closely as in the presence of God, might find many evil tempers and dispositions, which obstruct the efficacy of their prayers, and fearfully augment our national guilt. But if we turn not from our wickedness, it is in vain to hope that God will turn from his fiery indig- nation ]
Address —
1. The careless —
[This comprehends the great bulk of mankind. Whatever calamites are endured by others, they feel nothing, any farther than it immediately affects themselves. " When God's hand is lifted up, they will not see ;" " nor when his judgments are in the earth, will they learn righteousness." But such indifference is most offensive to God : and they who in- dulge it are likely to become signal monuments of the Divine displeasure * ]
2. The self-confident —
[They who see not the hand of God against them are ever leaning on an arm of flesh : if they have failed in ever so many efforts, they still look no higher than to their own exertions for success. What their views are, and what the declarations of God respecting themu, may be seen in the prophecies of
r Luke xiii. 3, 5.
s ver. 3, 4, 14. It will be easy to enlarge on the three points in reference to the words of the prophet.
* See Amos vi. 3—7. Zeph. i. 4, 6, 12, 13—18. u Isai. ix. 8—17.