Jeremiah 31:18-21 I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; You have chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke… I. THE CONSTANT WAY AND MANNER WHEREIN TRUE GRACE DISCOVERS ITSELF, WHEN ONCE IT IS IMPLANTED IN THE HEART. "I repented, surely I repented." Agreeable to this is the language of the prodigal (Luke 15:18). Old things are passed away with the man that is born of the Spirit; his face is turned Zionward, and his eager steps show how desirable and delightful are wisdom's ways to his renewed soul. II. THE ONLY SPRING FROM WHENCE THIS AMAZING CHANGE DOTH ALWAYS PROCEED. "Surely after that I was turned, I repented." Grace first enters the heart, before it can be discovered in the life and conversation. The God of all grace first of all draws us, or else we shall never move towards Him (John 6:44). Had not the same mighty power which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, been exerted toward us, we should still have continued in the same conversation which we had in times past, in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind. But quickening grace opens the way to godly sorrow, and this always issues in evangelical repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). III. AN ACCOUNT OF THE PROGRESS OF THIS GREAT WORK IN THE HAND CF THE SPIRIT; WHEREIN THE TRUE NATURE OF REPENTANCE UNTO LIFE IS CLEARLY DESCRIBED. I. What are the things in which the soul is instructed by the Spirit, when a principle of grace is wrought in the heart? (1) The Spirit begins His work, with leading the soul to the knowledge of sin. (a) The Spirit shows us the nature of sin, as attended with guilt, whereby we are obnoxious to the curse of the law. (b) The Spirit shows the sinner the defiling nature of sin, as opposed to the holiness of that God with whom he hath to do. (c) The Spirit shows the sinner the many heinous aggravations wherewith his sins in particular have been attended. (2) The Spirit instructs the soul in the nature of pardoning grace and mercy, which is the sweetest sound that an awakened conscience can ever hear; the most agreeable message a self-condemning sinner can ever receive. (a) The Spirit instructs the sinner that the privilege is attainable; that there is forgiveness with God, that He may be feared. (b) The Spirit instructs the sinner in the only way through which His grace and mercy is to be attained; lets him know that an absolute God is a consuming fire; and directs him to Christ Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life. (c) The Spirit instructs the sinner into the way through which pardon is communicated to him. That it was obtained by Christ; that it is received by faith; and that whosoever will, may take of the water of life freely. (d) The Spirit further instructs the sinner who the persons are to whom this pardoning grace and mercy are applied. This He teaches, by the absolute promises of the Word, which reach the case of the most rebellious criminals. 2. What are the various actings of the soul in consequence of these instructions? (1) The soul thus instructed "sorrows after a godly sort." This is the first thing in which Gospel-repentance discovers itself to be genuine and of the right kind; of which "smiting upon the thigh" is very expressive. (2) The soul thus instructed is filled with shame and confusion of face, attended with an utter hatred of the sins he hath been guilty of. "was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth."(3) The soul thus instructed hath an abiding sense of these things. He is not weary of his rags to-day, and pleased with them again to-morrow; humbled for sin now, and wallowing in the same mire and dirt anon: No, "I did bear (saith Ephraim) the reproach of my youth."(4) The soul thus instructed is most sensibly affected with those sins to which he hath been most addicted. Heart sins are bewailed by the sincere Christian, and youthful transgressions are never forgotten by him. (5) The soul thus instructed always applieth to the blood of Christ for pardon. (J. Hill.) Parallel Verses KJV: I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God. |
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