LXXX. Hos. viii. 5. THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF CHRISTIAN INNOCENCE. How long will it be ere they attain to innocency? MAN was originally made in the image of GodHe then possessed perfect innocence both in body and soul But this he lost through the commission of sin- Nevertheless there is a comparative innocence to which he may be restored The Israelites had altogether revolted from God Yet to them did God address this affectionate interrogation I. In what sense sinners may be said to attain to innocency It is certain we cannot undo any thing that is past [Not only our actions, but the effects of them, will remain We cannot restore those who are now suffering the punishment of sins, which they were led into by our influence or example Nor can we reclaim those who are now living in courses which we once countenanced and approved-] . Nor can we absolutely live without sin in future [The Scriptures plainly affirm this — They who boast of sinless perfection are under a delusion b The most perfect man on earth needs as much to implore a forgiveness of his trespasses, as a supply of his daily bread] But there is a sense wherein we may attain to inno cency Our guilt, may be removed [Christ died that he might take away all our sins d And they who are interested in his death are spotless. before God-] Our natures too may be renewed [The Holy Spirit is promised to renew our souls f. He will impart to us a divine nature3— He will transform us into the very image of our God"] duct [A change takes place in the whole of a believer's con True Christians are without any allowed guile Their new nature preserves them from all wilful sin1- cent❞— Nor need any despair of attaining the same privilege II. The greatest sinners may attain to it Many, being already pure in their own eyes, neglect to seek it But all who seek it with humility, may attain it- [The invitations to accept it extend to all P The promises are unlimited, either with respect to persons o, or sins There are examples of the most abandoned profligates having attained its Those for whom God expressed such solicitude were idolaters*. The voice of God by the prophet may be applied to all". -] APPLICATION 1. To those who are under the guilt and power of sin [Such are they who are not cleansed by Christ, and renewed by the Spirit "How long" then shall it be ere this proffered mercy be accepted?— Why should any wish to defer the pursuit of it one hour?Let it be sought instantly and with our whole hearts-] 2. To those who are longing for innocency [To the question in the text, some through despondency may answer, “ Never" But let not any fancied impossibilities discourage our application to God for this rich mercy God • Prov. xxx. 12. Isai. i. 18. God is as able and as willing to bestow it on us, as on others Let us, however, beware of seeking it in our own strengthIf we look to Christ he will " save us to the uttermost "-] 3. To those who have attained it [The best have reason to be ashamed that they were so long before they sought the Lord Nor have they now any ground for pride and self-sufficiency They would soon be what they once were, if God should leave them one moment They may rejoice, however, that their innocence is not destroyed by the unavoidable infirmities of fallen natureLet them then seek to have this innocency maintained in them Let them study to manifest it in their temper and conduct-] LXXXI. CONSOLATION FOR THE DESPONDING. Isai. xli. 17, 18. When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. THE word of God is an inexhaustible source of instruction and comfort There are passages in it suited to persons in all states and conditions But it is calculated more especially for the afflicted and contrite The passage before us is peculiarly adapted to a desponding soul а In its primary sense it is an encouragement to the Jews to trust in God In its spiritual meaning it extends to the church of God in all ages a I. An God, in ver. 8. reminds his people of his relation to them; assures them of his presence, and promises t them strength, ver. 10; victory, ver. 14, 15. ("thou, a worm, shalt thresh the mountains;") and triumph, ver. 16. Not that they are to expect a continued series of prosperity: they may be reduced to great straits; but in their lowest state they shall still have ground for the richest consolation." I. An afflicted case described The people of God are for the most part in a low and afflicted state [All men, if they knew their state, are indeed " and needy". poor But the generality think themselves "rich and increased with goods God's people, however, feel their poverty and needThey are deeply sensible how destitute they are of wisdom, strength, &c.-] They ardently desire to be endued with holiness and comfort may [Water, as having a cleansing and refreshing quality, well be understood to mean holiness and comfortAnd these are the chief objects of a Christian's pursuitThey long to be "delivered from the body of sin and death" They desire to be walking always in the light of God's countenance They leave no means untried for the accomplishing of their wishes-] But they often seem to be labouring in vain; "they seek water, and find none "" [They strive for victory, but the conflict remainsCorruptions still at times harass and defile their souls- Deadness and darkness still occasionally return upon them And the blessedness they pant after seems as distant as ever-] Their frequent disappointments create much dejection of mind; "their tongue faileth," &c. ["Hope deferred maketh their heart sick ". They faint, as a traveller after a long and fruitless search for water They begin to conclude that God will not hear their prayers They fear that he " has forsaken and forgotten them" Such diligence, disappointment, and despondency were not unknown to David -] But in the text we have II. Suitable consolation administered A desponding person could not dictate more suitable matter of consolation Ps. xlii. 1, 2, 3, 7, 9. and Ps. lxxxviii. 1, 3, 6, 7, 14. The The character here given of God is not without great force [The desponding person thinks his case too hard to be remedied, and his sins too heinous to be forgiven He is here reminded what a God he has to deal withGod is "the Lord" with whom nothing is impossible, whose mercy is infinite, and whose love is unchangeable --- He is "the God of Israel," who, however long he may try his people, will certainly bless them at last f Thus do these titles of God justify that consoling declaration &—] The promises here made by God are exactly suited to the case ["I will hear:" what an encouragement to continue in prayer! "I will not forsake thee:" what can the fainting soul desire more i? "The most discouraging circumstances shall be no bar to my favours" "Apparent impossibilities shall be surmounted by me "Nor shall my communications to you be either small or transient"] Every one who relies on these promises shall experience consolation from them Jer. xxxii. 27. d Exod. xxxiv. 6. e Mal. iii. 6. [David This title is very significant: it is as though God said “Remember my servant Jacob, to what a distressing state he was reduced, how he wrestled with me all night in prayer, and yet did not prevail: remember, how I made as though I would leave him; yea, how I lamed him, and, thus apparently increased his calamity. But he would not let me go, unless I blessed him. I therefore not only blessed him, but changed his name, and conferred a singular honour upon him by calling my church after his name. Thus did I shew myself his God; and thus will I be, yea, thus I am the God of all who call upon me after his example." Or perhaps it refers rather to Exod. xvii. 1-6. where his supplying of Israel with water is mentioned. 8 Lam. iii. 32. The subject of the soul's complaint is the very subject of God's promise. The soul laments "God will not hear me; he has utterly forsaken me; it is absurd for me to cherish an hope; I might as soon expect to find rivers on a lofty mountain, as to possess grace and peace in my soul." Here is a particular reference to the promise made to Jacob, Gen. xxviii. 15. which he afterwards pleaded with God, Gen. xxxii. 12. and which is renewed to us, Heb. xiii. 5. * Though the heart be as a dry and barren wilderness, it shall be refreshed," I will open rivers in high places." 66 They shall be plenteous as pools and rivers," and incessant as "springs and fountains." |