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I. GOD AND THE IMPENITENT SINNER IN PROBATION.

1. God's conduct towards the sinner in probation.

(1)  He calls them, by His Word, His ministry, His Spirit.

(2)  He stretches out His hand to them. "His arms are outstretched to receive them."

(3)  He counsels them. Presents lessons of wisdom to them.

(4)  He reproves them. Rebukes them for their sins.

2. The sinner s conduct towards God in probation.

(1)  They refuse His call. "Ye refused."

(2)  They disregard His outstretched hands. "No man regarded."

(3)  They set at nought His counsel. They rejected His "reproof."

II. GOD AND THE IMPENITENT SINNER IN RETRIBUTION. 1.God's conduct towards the impenitent sinner in retribution.

(1) He laughs at their distress. "I will laugh at your calamity." Their distress is great. Their destruction has come as a "whirlwind," and what is more, it has grown out of their conduct. "They eat of the fruit of their own way."(2) He disregards their prayers. "I will not answer."

2. The impenitent sinner's conduct towards God. They cried to Him for help. They may bitterly call upon Me, "but I will not answer." There is earnest prayer in hell, but it is fruitless.

(Homilist.)

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KJV: Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

WEB: Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;