HOMILETICS. Ver. 6.-Men's Bins recorded in God's book. As far back as the time of Moses God announced through him that men's sins were "laid up in store with him, and ~ea.led up e.mong his treasures" (Deut. xxxii. 34). The later prophets (Mai. iii. 16), with the Psalms (Ps. lvi. 8), and the Revelation of St. John (xx. 12-15), speak of "e. book" or "books;of remembrance," which contain the record of human frailty. Jeremi;h says, "The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond" (xvii. 1); and Daniel, like St. John, tells of a time when the judgment will be set, and "the books opened" (vii. 10). 'l'he heavenly registers record the acts of men, both good and bad; and in one register seem to be written the names of those whom God regards as" living ones" (eh. iv, 3). This register is ea.lied "the book of life" (Rev. ill. 5; xiii 8; xvii. 8; xx. 12, 15). Such are the biblical state- ments on the subject. The expressions used a.re doubtless accommodations to human modes of thought, and are not to be taken literally. The great truth, however, which they convey is to be understood in the most absolute literalness, Men's sins will not be forgotten, even when they are forgiven. They are all registered in God's memory; and perhaps it, may be found that each man's sins are also registered in some secret place of his own memory, though at present he is unable to recall the greater part of them. All will be taken into consideration at the time of judgment, and all will be set forth in the sight of men and angels. '!'here is nothing "secret " which shall not then be" revealed," or" hid" which shall not be" known." Men will be judged and sen- tenced "according to their works" (Rev. xx. 13)-" according to that they have done, whether it be good or evil" (2 Cor. v. 10).
Vers. 8-10.- Where sin abounds, grace yet more abounds. The portrait of Iara.el in vers. 2-7 is painted in such dark colours as to suggest that it must almost necessarily be followed by the absolute renunciation of the whole nation. A people " rebellious," " walking in the way that is not good," "provoking God to anger continually," given over to a sensualistic idolatry, a.nd yet proud, piquing itself upon its elevated religious position as a participant in certain heathen mysteries (ver. 5),-what can be done with such a nation of backsliders? Must not God sweep it from the earth? Certainly, if it were not for God's abounding mercy; if the sight of a people given up to sin did not raise in him as much pity as indignation, as much compassion a.s resent- ment. After all, they are his children ; they are his people ; they a.re " all the work of his hands" (eh. lxiv. 8). God, in his compassion, pours out his grace freely under such circumstances. He seeks among the lost, if so be that any among them may be saved. He offers his grace to them a.11, presses it upon them, "spreads out his hands all the day" to the rebels, entreating them to return and submit themselves, and be saved. What mercy does he show to Nineveh! Because it is" a bloody city ... all full of lies and robbery" (Nah. iiL 1), because" their wickedness is come up before him" (Jon.ah i. 2), therefore he goes out of his wa.y to send his prophet to preach repentance to them. He forces his prophet to go to them; he puts his word into his prophet's mouth, and makes that word, for the moment a.t any rate, effectual. Nineveh "repents at the preaching of Jonah," and, on its repentance, is "spared" for above two cen- t~ries. Israel now ia 1pa.red, invited to return to Judiea., bidden to "dwell there" and on. txv. 1-25.) THE BOOK OF THE PilOPllET ISAIAB. 476