And well may the misconduct of these orders be more dis- tinctly noticed, since on them depends, in so great a degree, the state of all the other classes of society. If all ministers would preach the Gospel with fidelity, and exemplify its holy pre- cepts in their lives ; and if our princes and nobility would take the lead in the great work of reformation ; an immense change would soon be wrought in every quarter of the land : but if, for want of their exertions, the whole land continue in its ini- quities, let them not wonder that their criminality is exposed, and that the judgments reserved for them are proportioned to the guilt which they contract.]
The disappointment of God's expectations from us leads us naturally to consider,
III. What we may expect from him —
On this part of our subject we shall be led to extremely different views, according to the interpre- tation which we put on the concluding words of our text. Some understand the words thus : " Ye have disappointed all my reasonable expectations; therefore expect from me the most tremendous judgments." Others justly observe, that the word " therefore" may properly be translated " nevertheless f;" and that the sense is, ' ye have disappointed all my reasonable expectations ; nevertheless that shall not induce me to alter my gracious purposes towards Jews and Gentiles, whom I will unite under one head, and sanctify as my peculiar people.' In confirmation of this latter sense, we must say, that this is the very way in which God often introduces his most glorious promises6; and that the two verses following our text seem to require it. But as we cannot certainly determine which of the senses is the right, we include both ; and shew what we may expect from God,
1. In a way of judgment —
[Often does God denounce especial vengeance against those who have abused his mercies h: and well indeed may we expect to have it executed upon us : well may we be con- strained to drink the dregs of that cup which has been put into the hands of the surrounding nations. And how fearful
f That is evidently the true sense of the word in Mic. v. 2, 3. s Isai. xliii. 22—26. and lvii. 16, 17. and Hab. ii. 12—14. h Isai. v. 5, G. Jer. v. 5, 6.