Having seen the long-suffering of God towards this sinful world, let us consider,
II. What improvement we should make of it —
From a sense of it, we should be led,
1. To acknowledge our obligations to him —
[Who amongst us has not reason to acknowledge the long- suffering of God towards him ? Who is not a sinner before God ? Who has not merited his wrathful indignation ? Who might not, on ten thousand occasions, have justly been cut off, and made a monument of God's righteous displeasure?
e Luke xix. 42. f Matt, xxiii. 37. e Acts xvii. 30.
h Ezek. xxxiii. 11. ' John vi. 37. k Gen. vi. 3.
1 Acts vii. 51. m Jam. iv. 6. P Rom. ix. 22.
Let us not, then, impute his forbearance to any in- difference in him respecting us, but to its true source, his tender compassion, and unbounded mercy ]
2. To humble ourselves before him —
[" Because judgment against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the hearts of too many are fully set in them to do evil0." But let it not be so with us. St. Paul tells us, that the true intent of " God's patience and long-suffering is, to lead us to repentance V Let it operate upon us in this manner ; and let us humble ourselves before him in dust and ashes.]
3. To justify him in his judgments —
[Whatever men may urge against the denunciations of God's wrath, we are sure he will be justified in every sentence which he shall pass, and be just in every judgment which he shall inflict q. The man who had not on the wedding-garment was speechless, when called to an account for his neglect. He might have said, " Lord, I was called suddenly, and compelled to come in," and had not time to procure the requisite apparel. But there was no room for any such excuse. The Master of the feast would have provided him with the garment ; but he would not deign to ask for it. Therefore, when cast into outer darkness, he had not a word to say in vindication of himself, or to criminate his Lord. And so, when sentence shall be past on those who despise the forbearance of their God, the whole host of heaven will cry, H Righteous and true are thy ways, thou King of saints."]
4. To improve the time that may be yet allotted to us —
[God is now " giving us space to repent." But how soon his patience may come to an end, we know not. We see
persons taken away at every period of life1 Let not
another day pass unimproved ; but " to-day, whilst it is called to-day, turn unto the Lord, and seek him with your whole hearts."]
° Eccl. viii. 11. p Rom. ii. 4. <i Ps. li. 4.
r If this be a Funeral Sermon, any particulars may be mentioned here.