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MAN’S ABUSE OF GOD’S PATIENCE
SIN is in itself an evil of a crimson dye; nevertheless its malignity may be greatly increased by the aggravations with which it is attended. One can scarcely conceive any thing that can enhance its guilt so much, as the committing of it in hopes that God’s mercy will pardon it. Yet this is the very ground on which the world indulge themselves in the commission of it. “Because,” &c.
I. The extent of man’s wickedness—
That sin exists in the world is visible to all; but the degree in which it prevails is very little known. In what way men sin, we may judge from the exceeding depth of colouring which there is in the picture before us. They sin,
1. Habitually—
[All are not equally vicious in their lives, but all forget God, and neglect their own souls. Successive years serve only to confirm this habit. We may all adopt the confession of the church of old [Note: Jer_3:25.].]
2. Deliberately—
[It were well if we never sinned, but through ignorance or inadvertence: but what schemes have we formed for the accomplishment of sinful purposes! How often have we seen the sinfulness of our desires, and yet gratified them [Note: Rom_1:32.]! The very bent and inclination of our souls has been towards wickedness [Note: Job_15:16.].]
3. Without restraint—
[A regard to our reputation or interests may impose some restraint. A fear of hell may also prevent the gratification of some desires: but few are kept from evil, like Joseph, by the fear of God [Note: Gen_39:9.]: that is the only restraint which proves uniformly effectual [Note: Jam_2:11.].]
4. Without remorse—
[We must at times have felt some convictions of conscience, but we, for the most port, stifle them by company, amusements, &c. Many attain to dreadful hardness of heart and impenitence [Note: 1Ti_4:2.]. The prophet’s description may well be applied to each of us [Note: Jer_8:5-6.].]
Thus are “men’s hearts fully set in them to do evil”—
[They walk after the imagination of their own hearts: neither mercies nor judgments can prevail with them to do otherwise.]
If their sins were followed by a visible and immediate punishment, men would not dare to live in this manner; but God defers the execution of his judgments.
II. The occasion of it—
God is not an unconcerned spectator of sin. He has appointed a day for the revelation of his righteous judgment. At present he forbears to inflict vengeance. This very forbearance emboldens men to sin—“because,” “therefore.” From the delay of punishment men think,
1. That there is but little “evil” in sin—
[God indeed calls sin “an evil work:” but his forbearance towards sinners is thought to indicate indifference. This however is a fatal delusion. He has marked the evil of sin in many awful instances [Note: 2Pe_2:4-6.]: he will soon undeceive this blind infatuated world [Note: Eph_5:6.].]
2. That there is no “sentence” gone forth against it—
[Men would gladly persuade themselves that they have no cause to fear. The temptation whereby the serpent beguiled Eve is cherished by them [Note: Gen_3:4.]. But the wrath of God is indeed denounced against sin [Note: Rom_2:8-9.]. Every species and degree of sin renders us obnoxious to his displeasure [Note: Rom_1:18.].]
3. That the sentence (if there be any) will never be “executed”—
[Since God defers punishing, it seems possible that he may decline it altogether. The apparent disproportion between the offence and the punishment seems to countenance this idea. To confirm our hope we are apt to compare God with ourselves [Note: Psa_50:21.]. But, however long God delay, he will surely strike at last [Note: Ecc_8:12-13.].]
Thus it is that men act in every age—
[David mentions this effect as arising from it in his day [Note: Psa_55:19.]. St. Peter foretells the prevalence of this iniquity in the last days [Note: 2Pe_3:3-4.]. Experience proves how universally it obtains at this hour.]
Infer—
1. How great the folly, as well as wickedness, of unregenerate men!
[If there were only a bare possibility of eternal punishment, how mad were it to continue in sin! But God has pledged himself that he will inflict it on the impenitent [Note: Mat_25:46.]. Every moment’s continuance in sin increases the condemnation [Note: Rom_2:4-5.]. What extreme folly then is it so to abuse the forbearance of God! May we be ashamed of ourselves, and repent in dust and ashes.]
2. What need have we to be cleansed by the blood and Spirit of Christ!
[What but the blood of Christ can ever expiate the guilt we have contracted? What but the Spirit of Christ can ever deliver us from such habits? That we can never renew our own souls is certain [Note: Jer_13:23.]. Let us therefore wash in the fountain opened for us [Note: Zec_13:1.]; and let us apply to God for his almighty aid [Note: Lam_5:21.].]
3. How dreadful must be the state of those who continue impenitent!
[Then is a certain measure of iniquity which sinners are left to fill up [Note: Gen_15:16.]: when this is full, nothing can avert the divine vengeance [Note: 1Th_2:16.]. Already are the arrows of divine justice pointed at them [Note: Psa_7:11-13.]. Eternity itself will be the duration of the punishment [Note: Mar_9:43-48.]. The time is coming when Jerusalem’s state will be ours [Note: Luk_19:42.]. Let us then tremble lest we exhaust the divine patience [Note: Zep_2:2-3.]. Let us diligently improve this day of salvation [Note: 2Co_6:2.].]