Ezekiel 18
SIBAs the observance of God’s law was the covenanted condition upon which the Jews held the land of Canaan, and prospered in it, the rewards and punishments here mentioned may immediately respect temporal safety and prosperity annexed to sincere observance, and miseries annexed to gross violations of God’s law. It is certain the righteousness, from which a person can fully and finally fall away, (ver. 24, 26) cannot consist in truly gracious dispositions of heart, or conduct in life, the saints being infallibly preserved in these, 1 Pet. i. 5; Job xvii. 9; Prov. iv
Ezekiel 18:18
And, though men may reform their external behaviour, without supernatural influences from Christ, yet it is not supposed that they can truly repent of their sin, and renew their hearts; (23, 30—32.) but that it is their duty to have gracious and penitent hearts, and therefore to attend the ordinances of the gospel, and receive newness of heart and repentance as the free gifts of Jesus Christ offered therein, and implanted by his Holy Spirit
REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XVIII.—Hardened sinners readily dare to strive with their Maker, and charge him with injustice, when he but justly punishes them. Nor can any thing less than the ruin they deserve silence their presumptuous murmurings. Let God reward or punish men’s behaviour as exactly as he can, prejudiced criminals will hold his conduct unjust and their own equal. How extensive is the amiable character of a truly good man! Cordial worship of the true God alone, chastity, honesty, equity, mercy, and withdrawing from fellowship in wickedness, jointly taken, are the necessary lines of it. And none can expect a glorious reward, unless by grace he persevere in his righteousness, But it is vain to seek righteousness as it were by the works of the law, which requires of us what only infinite power can effect. And it is insinuated to attempt holiness of life while our hearts are unrenewed by grace. But infinitely dangerous is it to rush upon death and damnation, notwithstanding the most earnest warnings, entreaties, and offers, of a gracious God; or to indulge ourselves in neglect of the most difficult duties, when God hath graciously promised to work them in us