The sin against the Holy Ghost.
I. THIS SIN IS SET FORTH HERE. For the sin is no one definite act, but a condition of mind which renders repentance hopeless and persistence in sin certain. But is not this the condition described in the text, described vividly, accurately? They had hardened themselves till repentance, yea, even shame, on account of "abomination" was utterly absent from them. "' They were not at all ashamed,' no tinge of it, not the least ' blush ' was visible. Was it not certain that such people who would go on, as they did, in sin, were in danger of eternal sin?" Hence they had never forgiveness, and the prophet was forbidden (see Jeremiah 7:16) even to pray for them (cf. 1 John 5:16).
II. OTHER INSTANCES OF IT OR APPROXIMATIONS TO IT.
1. Those who with unblushing effrontery ascribed Christ's holy ministry and his deeds of merciful might to Satanic power. They cried out," Show us a sign from heaven," implying that thus far he had only shown them signs from hell.
2. Those who were responsible for the cry," His blood be on us, and on our children!" And there are instances now. The condition of shamelessness in sin and of helplessness as to repentance may be, and we fear at times is, reached. Therefore note—
III. THE STEPS BY WHICH MEN REACH THIS CONDITION.
1. By disregard of the rebukes of conscience, stifling them, instead of going, as they would prompt, to the mercy-seat, and there confessing the sin.
2. By persistence in sin.
3. By the commission of great sins.
4. By loss of self-respect.
5. By forfeiture of character and the esteem of men.
IV. ITS DOOM. "It hath never forgiveness." "They shall fall among them that fall; they shall be cast down, saith the Lord" Wherefore this?
1. Because sin and sorrow are linked together by a chain that cannot be broken. Therefore where there is eternal sin there must be eternal punishment. The latter keeps pace with the former, and dogs its footsteps forever. It cannot but be so.
2. Because such men are murderers of other men's souls. They are centers of rebellion against God, of deadly spiritual contagion. Blood-guiltiness is upon them, yea, they are steeped therein. 3. Because God could not be God and not abhor such condition of soul as this sin betrays.
V. ITS SOLEMN LESSONS.
1. Cherish a holy hatted of sin, for its tendency is ever to reproduce itself, and so to become eternal.
2. Beware of disregarding the monitor within—conscience, God's voice in our souls. To do so is to drive away the trusty sentinel who guards the approaches of the soul against its deadly foes; to pierce and undermine those blessed walls which keep back the inrush of the ocean upon the whole land. Let us not do aught like this. But pray—.
"Quick as the apple of the eye,
O God, my conscience make,
Swift to discern when sin is nigh,
And keep it still awake."
3. Is sin upon your conscience now? At once confess it, and so find from your Lord forgiveness for it, and more—deliverance from it and from all possibility of that dread sin which the text describes and which hath never forgiveness.—C.