National Preacher Hosea 5:4 They will not frame their doings to turn to their God: for the spirit of prostitutions is in the middle of them… Men will not act upon the principle that the great business of life is to serve and please God, and enjoy His favour, here and hereafter. 1. They will not treasure up that truth which is the only medium of sanctification. 2. They will store up folly till there is no room in their minds for Divine and sanctifying truth. 3. Men so associate themselves together that it would rupture all their friendships to become the friends of God. 4. Men so commit themselves against religion, the Bible, the Sabbath, the people of God, etc., as to cause them great embarrassment when there shall be occasion to take back these commitments. 5. Men so locate themselves and enter such employments as to require a change, and perhaps a rupture of all their earthly relation. ships, should they turn to serve and please the Lord. 6. They pollute their consciences with those acts of moral defilement which will greatly pain them should they become the children of God. 7. They advance such sentiments with regard to Divine things before the ungodly that should they change their course they wilt be thereby much hindered in their efforts to do good. 8. All their habits of thinking, speaking, and acting axe at variance with the habits of godliness. 9. They put off religion until all their preparation for eternity is crowded into the few last moments of life. Remarks — (1) What a calamity it is that men will not use a little of their wisdom in the matters of eternity, and not be continually blocking up their way to heaven. (2) The people of God have great cause for gratitude that He has not suffered them to go on to a returnless distance from Him. (3) Every benevolent man will be doing all in his power to hold back his fellow-men from ruin. (4) It would be wise if men would calculate to be saved, and be shaping their ways for heaven. (National Preacher.) Parallel Verses KJV: They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD. |
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