I. Who are they of whom it may be said " their har-
vest is past, their summer is ended, and they are not saved?"
In its primary sense this passage is applicable only to the Jews, when they were attacked by the Baby- lonians ; but it may be applied to those who have lost seasons of spiritual relief. The " summer and har- vest" may be considered as seasons afforded us by God for providing for the necessities of our souls. Many of these we have suffered to pass unimproved and unnoticed. They therefore may be said to have lost their summer, &c. who have neglected to improve the seasons afforded,
1. By nature —
[ Youth is well fitted by nature for the work of conversion. The mind is then more flexible, the passions more governable, and the conscience more tender. But many have lost that favourable season.]
2. By Providence —
[Mercies are sent by God to invite, judgments to alarm. But many who should have been drawn by them to seek after God, have remained impenitent. The sabbath also was insti- tuted by God for the promoting of man's spiritual welfare. On that day more especially God calls and converts sinners to himself. But many have let those seasons pass, without ob- taining the knowledge of salvation.]
3. By grace —
[There are times when all experience the strivings of God' 's Spirit. If they improved those seasons, God would " give them more grace." But many stifle their convictions, and " resist the Holy Ghost."]
They who are in this predicament would do well to reflect on,
II. The misery of their state —
The distress of the prophet's mind on account of the calamities that were coming on the Jews is most pathetically expressed. But a view of the miseries impending over those who have lost their seasons of grace might well excite yet more painful apprehen- sions.
Their seasons lost are irrecoverable —