The Divine testimony against sin.
"And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law." The Divine testimony against sin and sinners is repeatedly mentioned in this confession (see Nehemiah 9:26, Nehemiah 9:30). We may take a general view of it.
I. THE WITNESS OF GOD AGAINST SIN AND SINNERS.
1. In his holy laws. Declaring his will, denouncing disobedience, and warning against its consequences.
2. In his revelations of eternity, judgment, hell, heaven. "There shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth."
3. In the nature of man. The testimony of conscience; the evil effects of sin on the body (diseases, death) and the soul, disordering, debasing, blunting the conscience, hardening the heart, etc.
4. In the effects of sin on the circumstances of the sinner.
5. In the effects of sin on society. Destruction of mutual esteem and confidence. Disorders, divisions, miseries.
6. In the methods of salvation from sin. The sufferings borne by our Lord in atoning for sin. The pains of conviction, penitence, etc. produced by the word and Spirit of God.
7. By the Church. Its constitution as a society avowedly renouncing sin, and called to battle against it everywhere. Its ministry, ordinances, examples of holiness, discipline on offenders.
II. ITS DESIGN.
1. To deter from sin.
2. To produce repentance.
"That thou mightest bring them again unto thy law."
III. THE REVELATION OF GOD WHICH IS THUS MADE. Manifestations of—
1. His hatred to sin. Which his permission of its prevalence might seem to put in question.
2. His benevolence. His testimonies against sin are so many entreaties that men would not injure themselves, so many safeguards against their doing so, so many strong reasons for turning from sin to holiness, and thus from misery to blessedness.
3. His justice in condemning the impenitent. Disregard of the Divine testimony against sin will work final ruin, but the lost sinner will have only himself to blame. "To-day," then, "if ye will hear his voice, harden not your heart." Let it not be said of you, "Yet would they not give ear" (Nehemiah 9:30).