The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 138

all offend." And the word of God often enjoins the confession of nil our offences before him, and declares it to be the necessllry condition of obtaining forgiveness. Consider- I. "r BAT IT IMPLIES. 1. That ,ve see the essential evil of sin. " Sin is the trans- gression of the law" (1 John iii. 4). More generally, it is whatever is contrary to the character nnd will of God. As he is the only perfect Being, and deserves and elaims the supreme love of men, so the root of sin consists in the absence of such lo Ye, and the departure of the heart from its true rest; and whenever man departs from God he falls into selfishness, vanity, and niisery. Sin is aversion to God and devotion to self (see Tulloch, 'Christian Doctrine of Sin'). "Against thee, thee only, have]! sinned," &c. (Ps. Ii. 4). 2. That we are convinced of thejust desert of sin. "How- beit, thou art just in all that is brought upon us," &c. (Neh. ix. 33). 3. That we are resolved upon an entire renunciation of sin. This determination springs from a real hatred towards it, and is associated with "hunger and thirst after righteousness." Confession is of the nature of a solemn oath of abjuratiop.i " Whoso confesseth and forsaketh his sins shall find mercy" (Prov. xxviii. 13). • II. How IT SHOULD BE MADE. 1. Under a due impressfun of the greatness of our sin. (1) In order to this we must contemplate the holy love of God, his just require- ments, his merciful blessings and boundless claims; above all, we must stand befor~ the cross and behold that great sight (Luke xxiii. 48). "There is no better way to obtain the gift of tears for having offended God than meditation on the greatness of God's goodness and of his love which be bas shown to man." (2) We must, in the light that shines upon us, consider the particular transgressions we have committed in thought, word, and deed against God, our neighbour, and ourselves, - sins of omission and commission,-and the sinful disposition revealed by them and pervading our whole life (Luke xviii. 13). General confessions of sin without personal and particular application are of little worth. "Usually, the more particular we are in the confession of sin, the more comfort we have in the sense of pardon" (M. Henry). (3) In this manner we shall, by Divine grace, be filled with self-abasement, godly sorrow, and true repentance. "That which makes manifest is light;" and in propor- tion to the brightness with which the light of truth shines upon us v.ill it manifest our sin (1 John i. 8); just as a sunbeam darting across a room shows us the floating dust that was not seen before (Job xiii. 5, 6). 2. In sincere,frank, and unreserved acknowledgment of our sin; without any attempt to cover, excuse, or palliate it. "Pardon my iniquity, for it is great" (Ps. xxv. 11 ; xxxii. 3-5). 3. With a turning of the heart to God in faith and prayer and acts of obedience. " For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive ; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee " (Ps. lxxxvi. 5). " Repentance is heart's sorrow And a clear life ensuing " (Shakespeare). III. BY WHOM. 1. Each individual (Luke xv. 21). "God be merciful to me a sinner" (Luke xviii. 13). 2. Each family. "Every family apart" (Zech. xii. 14). 3. The whole people. Those who have united in sinning must unite in ~onfessing their sin (eh. xii. 19; Ezra ix. 6-15; Dan. ix. 4-19). "We have all smned and come short of the glory of Goel." IV. WHY IT 1s NECESSARY. 1. That we may give glory to God. By it we act in accordance with his will, justify him in his dealings with u?, and giv~ to1 ~im the ~?nour which is his due. "Give glory to God, and make confession unto him (Josh. vu. 19). 2. That we may be prepared to receive pardon, peace, and salvation. Until we op~n our hearts to God he will not open his heart to ~s. .Vfie must cease to have fellowslnp with idols in order that we may have fellowsh1p with the holy One, and beco~e the habitation of his Spirit (2 Cor. vi. 16). 3. That we may have confide~ce m ~he fulfilment of his promises. This is conditioned by our fulfilment of his reqmre- ments without which our confidence is vain. "If we confess our abs," &c. (1 John i. 9). ' "And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteoUB" (1 John ii. 1).-D. Vere. 7-14. (EBENEZEn. )-The victory of Ebenezer. Whenever a people is set rig:ht in its relation to God and p•Jrified from its sin, it is certain to obtain VICtory over 1t1t CH, VII, 1-17.] THE FITIST DOOK OF SAMUEL. 135