To counteract this prevailing thoughtlessness, we will endeavour to expose,
II. The folly of it- Such inconsideration can be productive of no good, and must be attended with incalculable mischief to the soul —
1. It will not induce forgetfulness in God —
[Amongst our fellow-creatures our conduct may have con- siderable effect : and others may be lulled asleep by means of our security. But God is occupied in his work, whether we be in ours or not. He wakes, though we sleep : he sees, though we think ourselves hid from his sight: he marks, though we are regardless of him : nor does he ever feel more indignation, than when we feel ourselves most secure and com- posed. We may " think wickedly that he is even such an one as ourselves ; but he will reprove us for what we have done amiss, and will set it in order before our eyesV Nor is it the act only of murder or adultery that he will remember, but the look, the desire, the thought, yea " all" our wickedness, of whatever kind or whatever degree.]
2. It will rob us of all the benefits we might receive by reflection —
[If we did but consider that God has noted down all our wickedness, the next thought would be, How shall we get it blotted out of his book ? This would lead us to see the ineffi- cacy of our tears to wash away our guilt ; and would stimulate us to inquire after that Saviour, whose " blood cleanses from all sin." Thus we might obtain the remission of our sins, and be restored to the favour of our offended God. But incon- sideration robs us of all this. We shall never repent of our evil ways, till we have " considered" them. We shall never seek for mercy, till we have " considered " our guilt and danger. We shall never flee to Christ, till we have " considered" our need of him. " The whole need not a physician, but they that are sick." Can a thoughtless sinner take this view of the subject, and not confess his folly ?]
3. It will lead us only to multiply our offences against God —
[The necessary consequence of inconsideration is, that we continue to live each succeeding day and year in the same manner as we did in time past ; and, in many cases, harden ourselves more and more in wickedness. If we would at the
k Ps. 1. 21.