worldly cares and pleasures. Instead of resisting their adver- sary, they yield to him; and give way to desponding thoughts, when they should renew their exertions with more abundant diligence. If they followed on as they ought, not only would their success be certain and gradual, but it would be accom- panied with a proportionate increase of joy and holiness. Let us not then turn aside to earthly vanities, or waste our time in fruitless lamentations and complaints ; but let us " be followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises ;" that so our " path may be as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day."]
man's instability and god's forbearance.
Hos. vi. 4. 0 Ephraim, zvhat shall I do unto thee ? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.
WHEREVER the Gospel is faithfully preached, some are savingly converted by it. But of those who " run well for a season, many are hindered " in their course, and many turn back again to the world. Such were they to whom God spake in the words before us a. The word had produced some good effect among them ; but their penitence was of very short duration. God therefore took up this pathetic lamentation over them ; which leads us to notice,
I. The instability of man —
Man in his best estate is a weak and frail creature. But " Ephraim," (who had cast off the worship of God) and " Judah" (who retained the form but with- out the power of godliness) may properly be con- sidered as characterizing two different descriptions of persons, namely, mere nominal Christians, and those
a We may indeed interpret the three first verses of this chapter as descriptive of what shall take place in the latter day ; and so consider the words of the text as a continuation of the complaints uttered against the Jews in the preceding chapter. But we know that there were some partial reformations, as under Hezekiah and Josiah ; and therefore we may well explain the passage as belonging to the people of that generation.
1155.1 man's instability and god's forbearance. 59
who make some profession of religion. We shall therefore notice the instability,
1. Of merely nominal Christians —
[However men may have shaken off all regard for God, there have been times when they entertained some good de- sires, and some purposes of amendment. They did not always sin with the same ease that they now do. We may appeal to all, whether there has not been some period of their life when their mind was comparatively tender, and when they felt, in some little measui'e, the importance of preparing for death and judgment?
But these seasons have passed away without any permanent effect ; and the appearances of good have altogether vanished. Fitly therefore are they compared to a morning cloud, and to the early dew: for, as in a season of drought the morning clouds, which seemed to portend rain, are soon scattered ; and the dew, which seemed a welcome substitute for rain, is ex- haled, before it has penetrated to the roots, and thereby the expectations of the husbandman are disappointed ; so it is with them ; their vows are forgotten, their consciences are become callous, and all prospect of their conversion is annihilated b.]
2. Of many who make a profession of religion —
[Many, like those addressed in the text, have at some time appeared penitent, and have excited, both in themselves and others, a hope, that they would one day be faithful followers of the Lamb. But they have " left off to behave themselves wisely." " The cares of this world, or the deceitfulness of riches, or the lust of other things," have turned them aside ; so that they are as barren and unfruitful as if they had never professed themselves the Lord's people.