How many have there been in every age who have thus " made shipwreck of their faith !" And how many amongst ourselves, perhaps, have declined from the ways of God, and given reason to fear that " their last end will be worse than their beginning !"
These are yet more strictly conformed to the images in the text, inasmuch as the hopes and prospects they afforded were more flattering, and the state in which they are left, is more desperate and afflictive0.]
b See this exemplified in Pharaoh, Exod. x. 16, 28 ; in the Israelites, Exod. xxxiii. 4. with Ps. lxxviii. 34 — 37 ; in Felix, Acts xxiv. 25, 27.
c See instances of this also in Demas. Compare Philem. ver. 24. with 2 Tim. iv. 10. See also 1 Tim. i. 19. and iii. 6. and v. 12, 15. and 2 Tim. ii. 18. and iv. 4.
No subject whatever reflects more light than this upon,
II. The forbearance of God —
We must not suppose that God is really at a loss what to do, since both his wisdom and power are in- finite. But the expressions of the text import,
1. That he is extremely averse to punish us as we deserve —
[Our provocations against him have been such as nothing but infinite patience could have endured. He complains of us, that " we have wearied him," and that " he is pressed under us as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaves d." He appeals to us that he has omitted nothing on his part that could tend to our goode : and expostulates with us respecting our obstinacy in destroying ourselves f. When there seems scarcely any hope left, he declares that he cannot endure the thought of giving us upg : and, in the words before us, intimates the perplexity of his mind halting between his duty as a lawgiver, and his inclina- tions as a parent. Well may it be said of him, that "judgment is his strange workh ;" for his whole conduct towards us shews, that he is " slow to anger and rich in mercy1."]
2. That there is nothing he can do consistently with his own honour which he is not ready to do for our salvation —
[He cannot save us in an impenitent state : that would be a violation of his justice, his holiness, and his truth. But if we
would repent, he would forgive us for his dear Son's sake
If we would pray £o him for his Holy Spirit, he would renew us, sanctify us, establish us. Whatever his wisdom could devise for our good, or his power execute, he would be ready to effect, if only we would " cleave to him with full purpose of heart."
How strongly is this intimated in the tender manner of his address, " O Ephraim, O Judah," as though he spoke to every one of us severally by name ; and by the repetition of that question, "What shall I do unto thee?" Let a reciprocal ten- derness be excited in our hearts towards him ; and both the grounds of his anger, yea, and the consequences of it also, shall soon be removed.]
Address —
1 . Those whose goodness has altogether vanished —
d Mai. ii. 17. Amos ii. 13. e Mic. vi. 3. Jer. ii. 5. Isai. v. 4. f Ezek. xxxiii. 11. e Hos. xi. 7, 8.
h Isai. xxviii. 21. • Neh. ix. 17.