Part 9 (2/2)

Those who have found mercy cannot refrain from mourning over those whom they see hardening themselves in sin; nor should they cease to warn them from their way, and to cry to G.o.d in their behalf. But their attention is not wholly taken up from home; it often reverts thither, and stirs them up to grateful acknowledgments of divine goodness to themselves. WHO is he that maketh me to differ from the thoughtless sinner? is a consideration which often rises in the good man's mind, while looking on the careless and secure. It is a proper and a profitable consideration--tends to keep him humble and mindful of his dependence.

Sense of past dangers serve to enhance the value of present safety.

The greater dangers we have escaped, and the more wonderful our deliverances have been, the greater should be our love to our deliverer, and the greater our care to make him suitable returns. If we entertain just views of these things, such will be the effect.

Those to whom most is forgiven love the most.

By reflecting on the riches of divine mercy, we should stir up our souls to love the Lord. If witnessing the unconcern of others, while in the broad road, serves to excite us to grat.i.tude for divine goodness shown to us, ”the wrath of man is thereby made to praise the Lord.” Such was the effect which a view of Israel's hardness had on Paul--May all Christ's disciples cultivate the same temper.

III. In Paul's conversion we see G.o.d distinguis.h.i.+ng among his enemies, and calling one into his kingdom who was, from principle, a destroyer of his saints. Paul was a Pharisee and the son of a Pharisee. No sect among the Jews was more bitter against Christ--no other so eager and active in their endeavors to crush his cause and subvert his kingdom.

Yet numbers of that sect obtained mercy. The same did not happen respecting the Saducees. No instance of a Saducee brought to repentance, can be adduced. Why this discrimination?

There may be reasons not revealed; but some are discernible.

The Pharisees ”had a zeal for G.o.d, though not according to knowledge.”

Saul, the Pharisee, ”verily thought, that he ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus”--he did not sin against the light of his own mind. The same was doubtless the case with many others of that sect. The Saducees were devoid of principle--had rejected first principles--those taught by the light of nature. While first principles are retained, such was the belief of a divine existence--a difference between good and evil--a future state, in which men will receive the deeds done in the body, and the like, there remains a foundation on which religion may rest; but where these are rejected, the foundation is destroyed. Of the former who have erred in lesser matters of faith, and been thereby seduced into practical errors, many have been reclaimed, and brought to repentance: Not so the latter.

”One among a thousand have we not found.” And those whose sentiments border on atheism, or infidelity, are seldom called of G.o.d.

There is a certain point of error in opinion, from which a return is rare. Those who reach it are commonly given up to strong delusions, which lead to destruction.

And practical errors, especially those which are opposed to conviction, are highly criminal, and exceedingly dangerous--they fear the conscience, and provoke G.o.d to leave sinners to themselves--”My spirit shall not always strive with man--the times of ignorance G.o.d winked at, but now commands all men every where to repent.”

Saul of Tarsus speaks of himself as a chief of sinners ”because he persecuted the church of G.o.d;” yet he obtained mercy! But those who sin against the light of their own minds, can draw little encouragement from thence. He hath declared the reason of the distinguis.h.i.+ng mercy shown to him--”because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.” * No sooner was he convinced of his mistake, than he returned with, ”Lord what will thou have me to do?”--So do not those ”who know their master's will and do it not.” WOULD we share the blessedness of believing Saul, we must share his repentance; so shall we find mercy with G.o.d. ”For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the same Lord over all, is rich unto all that call upon him.” +

* 1 Timothy i. 13. + Romans x. 12.

SERMON X.

David's Sin in the Matter of Uriah.

2 Samuel xii, 13.

”And David said unto Nathan, 'I have sinned against the Lord.' And Nathan said unto David, 'The lord also hath put away thy sin; then shalt not die.'”

The sin here referred to is that of David in the matter of Uriah. A strange and sad event--taken in all its circ.u.mstances and connections, it is without a parallel. But the circ.u.mstance most to be lamented, is that mentioned by the prophet, in the close of his message--”By this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme.”

The justness of this remark, doubtless appeared at that day, in the triumph of sinners and exultations of scoffers; and the story brought down to us, ”on whom the ends of the world are come” is still abused to keep vice in countenance.

”Look to David, your man of religion! Your man after G.o.d's own heart!

and witness his complicated crimes! and his long continued security and unconcern under guilt, which cannot be charged on us, who view religion as a dream!”--So the infidel.

While people of another description, wound G.o.d's cause yet more deeply, by the argument which they draw from this fall of David; namely, those who are allowedly vicious, yet call themselves ”of the household of faith--who are pure in their own eyes, though not cleansed from their filthiness.” These, when reproved, especially if their piety is called in question, often recur to David for support --tell us, that ”though eminent for piety, he was guilty of greater sins than theirs, and long continued in them--that he remained impenitent till visited by Nathan, after the birth of his child by Bathsheba. If, say they, be could continue so long secure and unconcerned, why not longer? And why may not others fall into sins and continue in them months and years after having received the grace of G.o.d, and after they are numbered among the saints?”

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