LORD, DELIVER US FROM SIN!

"Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which Thou hast broken may rejoice." -Psalm 51:8 [KJV]

Of all the sad consequences of sin, good Lord! deliver us from Antinomian licentiousness; which consists in being so hardened by the deceitfulness of sin, as to make light of it. Though David had been awfully licentious in his practice, yet we see the grace of the saint shine forth, in his brokenness of heart, sorrow of soul, and contrition of spirit for his sins. Never quote David’s dreadful fall, without his deep, soul-afflicted, heart-broken, sorrow and repentance. Never think of one without the other; lest you think slightly of the most cursed evil of evils, wilful sin against a gracious God. 

O! who can tell the horrors of soul, and terrors of conscience, David felt, when he uttered these words? Consider them, O my soul! The Lord make sin more dreadful to thy view, and hateful in thy sight. 

(1st.) Spiritual joy and gladness of soul in the Lord had forsaken him. What had the gratifying his cursed lusts and vile passions brought upon him? A guilty conscience, a heavy heart, and a disconsolate soul; the Spirit of peace and joy was grieved at his conduct, and withdrawn from his soul. Satan, the tempter, was now his accuser; the ghost of Uriah appeared to his mind: the thought of Bathsheba brought hell into his conscience. All within was terror; all around, distress; and all above, horror. 

But the Lord had not given him up to a reprobate mind. He convinced him of sin; and, by grace, broke his heart for it. Hence, behold! he prayed. O! were it possible to have recalled the cursed, hellish lust and bloody deed, he would rather have parted with his crown and kingdom, than ever have committed them. What would he now give, to hear the joy of pardon from God, to make glad his soul? 

For, (2d.) He complains of broken bones. Who can describe the agony of mind he now felt? A broken bone must be extremely painful: but he seems to feel, as though all the bones in his body were broken. Lord, deliver us from sin, which caused it! But why does he ascribe their being broken to God? Did not his fall cause it? Yes: but he lay many months (as it were) stupified by his fall, and insensible of his hurt. But God convinced him of his sins, and quickened him to feel pain. O, ye fools! who make a mock of sin, see! God breaks the bones even of His beloved saints for it. 

Better to groan with broken bones on earth, than under damnation in hell. O! think of David’s pains and groans, under a sense of sin. Remember Peter went out and wept bitterly for sin. See, hence, the exceeding sinfulness of sin: but forget not the Saviour, “whose precious blood cleanseth from all sin” (I John 1:7.) Against Thee, Lord, I sinned have, And brought distress upon my soul: O! let me for Thy mercy crave, To heal my soul, and make me whole.

-preacher William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)