is inflicted that sin may be subdued. 3. Amendment produced by suffering is often only temporary. 4. Persistence in sin insures ultimate ruin. 5. The goodness of God is shown in the testimony he maintains against sin, and the chastisements he inflicts on the sinner. 6. God is faithful to his promises, although men prove unfaithful (ver. 31). 7. The history of Israel is a mirror in which all may see their own likeness. Nations and individuals ; some more, some less. Even sincere Chris- tians in 11 measure. Many can say with good George Herbert- "Lord, with what care hast thou begirt us round ! Parents first season IL!! ; then schoolmasters Deliver us to laws ; they send us bound To rules of reason, holy messengers, Pulpits and Sundays, sorrow dogging sin, Afflictions sorted, anguish of all sizes, Fine nets and stratagems to catch us in, Bibles laid open, millions of surprises, Blessings beforehand, ties of gratefulness, The sound of glory ringing in our ears ; Without, our shame ; within, our consciences; Angels and grace, eternal hopes and fears : Yet all these fences and their whole array One cunning bosom-sin blows quite away." Ver. 29.-The Divine testimony against sin. "And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law." The Divine testimony against sin a.nd sinners is repeatedly mentioned in this confession (see vers. 26, 30). We may take a general view of it. 1. THE WITNESS OF Goo AGAINST SIN AND SINNERS. 1. In his holy laws. Declaring his will, denouncing disobedience, and warning against its consequences. 2. In his revelations of eternity, judgment, hell, heaven. "There shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth." 3. In the nature of man. The testimony of conscience ; the evil effects of sin on the body (diseases, death) and the soul, disordering, debasing, blunting the conscience, hardening the heart, &c. 4. In the effects of sin on the circumstances of the sinner. 5. In the effects of sin on society. Destruction of mutual esteem and confidence. Disorders, divisions, miseries. 6. In the methods of salvation from sin. The sufferings borne by our Lord in atoning for sin. The pains of conviction, penitence, &c. produced by the word and Spirit of God. 7. By the Church. Its constitution as a society avowedly renouncing sin, and called to battle against it everywhere. Its ministry, ordinances, examples of holiness, dis- cipline on offenders. II. ITS DESIGN. 1. To deter from sin. 2. To produce repentance. "That thou mightest bring them again unto thy law." III. THE REVELATION OF Goo WHICH IS THUS MADE. Manifestations of-1. His hatred to sin. Which his permission of its prevalence might seem to put in question. 2. His benevolence. His testimonies against sin are so many entreaties that men would not injure themselves, so many safeguards against their doing so, so many strong reasons for turning from sin to holiness, and thu8 from misery to blessedness. 3. His justice in condemning the impenitent. Disregard of the Divine testimony against sin will work final ruin, but the lost sinner will have only himself to blame. "To-day," then, "if ye will hear his voice, harden not your heart." Let it not be said of you, "Yet would they not give ear" (ver. 30).
Vera. 32-38.-.A sorrowfitl appeal to the Divine compassion. The conclusion of the public united confession. It contains- !. AN APPnOPRIA'l'E.INVOCATION. Similar to that of Nehemiah (eh. i. 5), and which would be felt as suitable after the preceding recital of the Divine proceedings. II. AN APPEAL TO THE DIVINE PITY. Jn view of-1. The greatness of their past troubles (ver. 32). "Let not all the trouble seem little." "Do not regard it as too little to require notice and relief. Rather see how great it is, and bring it in mercy to nn end." Perhaps, however, the meaning is, "Let it be deemed sufficient to 'rHE BOOM: OF NEBEMI.A.B. ton. 1x. 1--88.