HOMILETICS. Ver. 4.-0onviction of sin an el,ement of true (Jhristian life. "As a heavy burden," Jonah, when carried down in his living tomb to "the roots of the mountains," with the sea-weeds about his head, was not plunged in a deeper sea of trouble than David in the experience this psalm records (comp. Ps. xxxii. 3-5). He felt that his troubles were the just and wise chastisement of his sins; and they lead him to confession (ver. 18). He humbly bows under God's hand; but only prays that ho may feel that chastisement is not in wrath, but in mercy (ver. 1; cf. Heb. xii. 6, etc.). These words supply a starting-point for some remarks on conviction of sin as an element in true (Jhristian life. I. CoNVICTION OF sm-q.d. sorrowful sense of blameworthiness before God- SPRINGS FROM A TRIPLE ROOT: (1) an awakened and enlightened conscience; (2) definite memory of particular sins; (3) clear and affecting views of holiness. 1. The natural effect of persistent sin is to deaden conscience (Eph. v. 19). Conscience may be awake, but completely perverted by ignorance or false belief; e.g. the heathen mother fl.ino'ina her infaut into the Ganges (Acts xxvi. 9). When the Holy Spirit opens the eye; of the mind, and applies the truth to the heart, sin is seen and felt to be "exceed- ing sinful" (Rom. vii. 7-13). Hence to a tender, rightly informed conscience, things appear sinful in which an ungodly heart discerns no harm. 2. We sin in many other ways than in deliberate acts of conscious transgression. We "leave undone what we ought to do;" fail in intention, in mixed unworthy motiveB, even when our action is good; selfishness, cowardice, sloth, unfaithfulness; f~lling (bow far I) short of the Divine standard-love to God with all the heart, mind, soul, strength, and to our nei"hbour as ourself. We may know all this, confess it, seek pardon; but it does not oppress and burden conscience like some definite act of sin-perhaps long past-which stands out with frightful clearness in the memory (Ps. Ii. 3). 3. The measure of the sinfulness of sin is its opposition to holiness. The Bible standard of holiness is God's character revealed to us, above all, in Christ (1 Pet. i. 15, 16). Therefore our view of our own sinfulness will depend on our clear and affecting apprehension of God's holiness. The robe that looks white in dim light will betray all its spots and stains in midday sunshine. II. EXPERIENCE GREATLY VA.BIES, EVEN IN REAL CHRISTIANS, REGARDING OONVIOTJON OP sm. With some, overwhelming; with others, consciously deficient. Thie may arise from either of the sources spoken of, or a combination-tenderness or dulness of conscience, remembrance or particular sins1 closeness of converse with God, and deep PB. xxxvm. 1-2'.ll.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 801
and lofty views of holiness. Some Christians may be patterns, but none are models, for others. III. DIM, FEEDLE BENSE OF BIN AND OP ITS EVIL BEKMB CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CIIRIBTIANITY OF TO·DAY. There is a great advance in prevailing views and teaching regarding Divine love; but no corresponding advance regarding Divine righteousness and holiness. 'l'his tends to enfeeble Christian life and work. Nothing is more dangerous than the use of exaggerated language to express our inner life. Let no Christian for whom they would be exaggerated and unreal adopt the words of the text. But let us seek a quickened conscience, a faithful self-knowledge, above all, nearness to God, that we may see all sin, and our own, in the light both of his holiness and or his love.