Romans 2:4 Or despise you the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering… There is no need to insist on the necessity of repentance; for nothing would appear more impious than for anyone to say, "I need no repentance." But there is a consideration of very grave importance, viz., that all men will certainly come to repentance. In this view it is a very solemn thing to look at the thoughtless, impious, hardened, self-righteous, and think, "You will certainly repent! your repentance may be in vain — too late, but it will certainly come!" But we would speak of reasons that should enforce it now; and surely this should be a powerful one. If ultimate repentance is inevitable, under an irresistible power, how desirable it should not be left to be caused so; but be effected under the persuasive influence of more gracious causes! And of these the chief "is the goodness of God," manifested, acknowledged, and felt. Contemplate, then, that "goodness." I. AS BEHELD IN THE SAME VIEW WITH THE DESERTS OF MAN. 1. What is it in man that is adequately correspondent to that goodness? Is it a humble, constant sense of dependence? an affectionate admiration of His beneficence? a mighty attraction towards Him? a solicitude to be conformed to Him an aversion to all that He disapproves? 2. Look at any of the particulars of His goodness — His constant provision, His watchful protection, His compassionate care of weakness. What corresponds to these? His rays of instructive wisdom falling on man — what corresponds? Love of truth? anxiety to be taught? His shining forth on them, a sovereign pattern of sanctity, and in an economy of redemption — what does this very thing imply that there is in man to answer to it? II. IN THE SAME VIEW WITH THE MANIFESTATIONS OF GOD'S MIND AGAINST SIN. How many they are, how decisive, solemn, just! And yet the world is not made an unmingled scene of vindictive execution. His just denunciations are sent conjoined with mercies exceeding the number of the expressions that He is offended, as if He would not send His rebukes or threatenings but by the hands of friends. "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed." III. AS BEING CONTEMPORARY WITH EACH SIN IN OUR LONG SUCCESSION OF OFFENCES. Advert to any sin in its time, there was goodness experiencing then: advert to the next, and the next; at that time there was still "the goodness of God," and in various ways at once. IV. BY SUPPOSING IT WITHDRAWN. Deprivation is sometimes the most effectual way of verifying what and how much a thing was. So God might cause His bounty to recede on every side of the sphere of our interests. On one side a diminution just enough to be felt at first; but speedily more, and still more; the same operation on another side: something still departing day after day! — things we had scarcely thought of as mercies, leaving incurable pain, or want, behind; our condition becoming more and more miserable, till we sunk in a death without consolation or hope! Or, instead of this gradual process, a sudden general deprivation. V. IN ITS CHARACTER OF PATIENCE AND LONG SUFFERING. All His lengthened indulgence, His train of favours — what for? What, but that there might be increasing gratitude and devotedness? And when has there been such a degree of these, that it was anything but mere goodness in God to continue His favours? (J. Foster.) Parallel Verses KJV: Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? |
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