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SERMON 16

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD.

O Lord, I Know That The Way Of Man Is Not In Himself; It Is Not In Man That Walketh To Direct His Steps. - Jeremiah 10:23.

IN this passage of Scripture, the prophet, after uttering a variety of sublime declarations, concerning the perfections and providence of God, and the follies and sins of men, exhibits the progress of life as a way. In this way, all men are considered as travelling. We commence the journey at our birth, pass on through the several stages of childhood, youth, manhood, and old age, and finish it when we enter eternity. The accommodations and the fare are greatly varied among the various travellers. Some find their entertainment plentiful and agreeable; and some, even luxurious and splendid. Others are slenderly provided with food, raiment, and lodging; are almost mere sufferers, and literally have not where to lay their heads.

In the mean time, sorrow and disease, dangers and accidents, like a band of marauders, lie in wait for the travellers; and harrass and destroy a great proportion of their number. Of the vast multitude who continually walk in the path of life, almost all disappear long before they reach the goal at which it terminates. A very few arrive at the end. Of these, every one, dragging heavily his weary feet over the last division of the road, teaches us, that this part of his progress is only ‘labour and sorrow.’

A remarkable fact, universally attendant on our journey, is recited in the text. ‘O Lord,’ says the deeply humbled prophet, ‘I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.’ The enterprise is not contrived by ourselves. We are placed in it, and necessitated to accomplish it by a superior and irresistible hand. It cannot but seem strange, that in such a journey we should originally be prevented from the ability to direct ourselves; and that while we are compelled to the undertaking, we should be furnished for it in a manner so imperfect. Yet such is unquestionably the fact. Nor is the explanation so difficult, or so unsatisfactory, as we are prone to believe. God originally intended that all his creatures should be dependent on him for aid, guidance and protection. Nor can it be rationally supposed, that such a dependence on his perfections and providence, is either unreasonable or undesirable.

The Sovereignty of God, which is so clearly and strongly visible in this interesting subject, has ever been questioned and very often denied by mankind. To establish this doctrine in the minds of my audience is the peculiar design of the present Discourse. In a sermon lately delivered in this place on the Decrees of God, I explained what I intend by the Divine Sovereignty. It was then observed, that the conduct of God is sovereign in this sense; that he does according to his will, independently and irresistibly, without giving an account of any of his matters any farther than he pleases; but that he wills nothing without the best reason, whether that reason be disclosed to his creatures or not; that real glory to himself, and real good to his creation, not otherwise attainable, are universally the object to which his pleasure is directed, whether it respects the existence and motions of an insect, or the salvation of a man. It was remarked also at that time, that in the ordinary sense of the word, God never acts arbitrarily; and that to say he wills a thing because he wills it, is to speak without meaning. All his pleasure, all his determinations are perfectly wise and good; founded on the best of all reasons, and directed to the best of all purposes. Were he to act in any other manner, his providence would be less wise and less desirable.

It will not be questioned that this doctrine is deeply interesting to man. On this life is suspended that which is to come. Consequences, eternal and incomprehensible, will flow from those doctrines which we adopt in the present world. All our conduct will then be examined, and will either be approved or condemned. If we have chosen the strait and narrow way prescribed to us, the termination will be happy. If we have preferred the broad and crooked road, it will be deplorable.

Few of this audience will probably deny the truth of a direct Scriptural declaration. With as little reason can it be denied, that most of them apparently live in the very manner in which they would live, if the doctrine were false: or that they rely, chiefly at least, on their own sagacity, contrivance, and efforts, for success in this life, and that which is to come. As little can it be questioned that such self-confidence is a guide, eminently dangerous and deceitful. Safe as we may feel under its direction, our safety is imaginary. The folly of others in trusting to themselves we discern irresistibly. The same folly they perceive with equal evidence in us. Our true wisdom lies in willingly feeling, and cheerfully acknowledging our dependence on God, and in committing ourselves with humble reliance to his care and direction.