We have sinned, Father, against heaven and before you; we have all (continued)
We have been slothful in the business of religion, and not fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Romans 12:11.
The things which remain are ready to die, and our works have not been found perfect before God. Revelation 3:2.
We have observed the winds, and therefore have not sown, have regarded the clouds, and therefore have not reaped; and with the sluggard have frightened ourselves with the fancy ofa lion in the way, a lion in the streets, and have turned on our bed as the door on the hinges; still crying, Yet a little sleep, a little slumber. Ecclesiastes
11:4. Proverbs 26:13, 14. Proverbs 6:10.
We have lost our first love, and where is now the blessedness we sometimes spoke of? Revelation 2:4. Galatians 4:15.
Our goodness hath been as the morning cloud and the early dew which passes away. Hosea 6.4.
And that which is at the bottom of all, is the evil heart of unbelief in us, which inclines us to depart from the living God. Hebrews
7. WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THE GREAT EVIL THAT THERE IS IN SIN, IN OUR SIN, THE MALIGNITY OF ITS NATURE, AND ITS MISCHIEVOUSNESS TO US.
7.1. The sinfulness of sin.
O that sin may appear sin to us, may appear in its own colors, and that by the commandment we may see it to be exceeding sinful, because it is the transgression of the law. Romans 7:13. 1 John 3:4.
Byevery willful sinwe have in effect said, We will not have this man to reign over us; And who is the Lord, that we should obey his voice? And thus have we reproached the Lord and cast his law behind our backs. Luke 19:14.
7.2. The foolishness of sin.
O God, you know our foolishness, and our sins are not hidden from you: We were foolish in being disobedient; and our lusts are foolish and hurtful. Psalm 69:5. Titus 3:3.
Foolishness was bound up in our hearts when we were children; for though vain man would be wise, he is born like the wild ass's colt.
Proverbs 22:15. Job 11:12.
Our way hath been our folly, and in many instances we have done foolishly, very foolishly. Psalm 49:13.
So foolish have we been and ignorant, and even as beasts before God. Psalm 73:22.
7.3. The unprofitableness of sin.
We have sinned and perverted that which was right, and it profited us not. Job 33:27.
What fruit have we now in those things whereofwe have cause to be ashamed; seeing the end of those things is death? And what are we profited, ifwe should gain the whole world, and lose our own souls? Romans 6:21. Matthew 16:26.
7.4. The deceitfulness of sin.
Sin hath deceived us, and by it slain us; for our hearts have been hardened through the deceitfulness of sin; and we have been drawn away of our own lust and enticed. Romans 7:11. Hebrews 3:13.James
It hath promised us liberty but has made us the servants of corruption; hath promised that we shall not surely die, and that we shall be as gods; but it has flattered us and spread a net for our feet.
2 Peter 2:19. Genesis 3:4, 5. Proverbs 29.5.
The pride of our heart particularly has deceived us. Obadiah 3.
7.5. The offense which by sin we havegiven to the Holy God.
By breaking the law, we have dishonored God and have provoked the Holy One of Israel to anger most bitterly. And manya thing that we have done hath displeased the Lord. Romans 2:23. Isaiah 1:4.
Hosea 12:14. 2 Samuel 11 (v. 27).
God has been broken by our whorish heart, and our eyes that have gone a whoring after our idols. Ezekiel 6:9.
We have tempted him, and proved him, and grieved him in the wilderness; have rebelled and vexed his holy Spirit, and pressed him with our iniquities, as a care is pressed that is full of sheaves. Psalm
95:9, 10, 8. Isaiah 63:10. Amos 2:13.