by an oath. Had he " sworn in his wrath that we should not enter into his rest," we might easily have accounted for it ; because, however merited such a judgment might be, he is never brought, but with extreme reluctance, to execute it.c But to establish his character for mercy in such a way, was altogether superfluous, except for the more abundant display of his own goodness, and the richer consolation of our minds.]
That this testimony of God, respecting his own delight in mercy, may not fail of producing its proper effect on our minds, it is enforced by,
II. An affectionate exhortation- Had we not already seen such condescension as almost exceeds our belief, we might well be filled with wonder at the further proofs of it which are exhibited in the text —
The Creator and Judge of all stoops to use the language of entreaty towards perishing sinners —
[He does not simply issue his command, but repeats it with all the tenderness and solicitude of the most affectionate parent. He sees with deep concern how " all like sheep are gone astray, every one to his own way :" one is wandering in the paths of open sensuality and profaneness; another has involved himself in the labyrinths of worldly care ; another is pleasing himself with the idea that he belongs to the fold of God, while he has nothing but " the form of godliness without any of its power." But God would have all return to him, to walk in his ways, and to enjoy his blessings. He longs to see the sensualist, the worldling, and the formal professor of religion, all truly and thoroughly awakened to a sense of their guilt and danger, and all seeking after the salvation of their souls as the one thing needful. He would not that one of them should perish, but that all should come to repentance and live. Hence his earnestness in urging their immediate and effectual return.]
He further enforces his request with a most ani- mated expostulation —
[Sin and death are inseparably connected : there is no alternative but to flee from sin or perish for ever ; we must turn or die. This is evidently implied in the expostulation which God uses ; and the certainty of it is far more strongly marked, than if it had been asserted in the plainest terms. Let sinners then answer the question which God puts to them,
c Isai. xxviii. 21. "His strange act." VOL. IX. E E