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I. THAT SIN IS A VERY TROUBLESOME THING.

1. The load of guilt by which it oppresses us.

2. The shifts, subterfuges, and tricks resorted to for the purpose of concealing our sins, or transferring the blame to others, are convincing proofs that sin troubles us.

3. Sin troubles us by its corrupt and restless influence on the tempers and dispositions.

4. But it is chiefly into futurity that we are to look for the troubles of sin (Proverbs 11:21; Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 6:23).

II. HOWEVER ARTFULLY CONCEALED, SIN MUST BE EXPOSED.

1. The most secret sins are often revealed in this world.

2. Those sins that escape detection here, will be manifested in the last day (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

III. WHEN THE SINNER IS EXPOSED, HE IS LEFT WITHOUT ANY REASONABLE EXCUSE. Joshua said, "Why hast thou troubled us?" What could he say? Could he plead ignorance of the law? No; it was published in the camp of Israel. The weakness of human nature? No; he had strength to do his duty. The prevalence of temptation? No; others had similar temptations, and yet conquered. And what shall we have to say when God shall summon us to His bar?

IV. THAT PUNISHMENT TREADS UPON THE HEELS OF SIN. "The Lord shall trouble thee this day."

1. God has power to trouble sinners. The whole creation is a "capacious reservoir of means," which He can employ at His pleasure.

2. God will trouble sinners. He will either bring them to repentance, when they shall "look upon Him whom they have pierced, and mourn," or He will vex them in His wrath, and dash them in pieces as a potter's vessel.Infer —

1. What a powerful preventive this should be to deter us from committing sin.

2. See the madness of sinners, who, for the sake of a few sordid despicable pleasures, which always leave a sting behind, will desperately plunge themselves into an abyss of troubles which know no bound nor termination.

3. Since sin is so troublesome, let us all seek a deliverance from its dominion and influence.

4. Learn what ideas you should entertain of those who seek to entice you to sin. They are agents of the devil, and you should shun them as you would shun perdition.

(Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons.)

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KJV: And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.

WEB: Joshua said, "Why have you troubled us? Yahweh will trouble you this day." All Israel stoned him with stones, and they burned them with fire and stoned them with stones.