Jeremiah 33:9 - Homilies By S. Conway

Fruits of pardon.

Some of these are declared here; e.g.—

I. IN REGARD TO GOD .

1 . Joy . God, not Deus impassibilis— a God who does not feel.

2 . Praise and honour. The theme of the Church on earth, and especially in heaven, is this, "Unto him that loved us," etc. There is no glory equal to that which shall accrue to God by "Jesus Christ," for through him pardon comes to guilty men.

II. IN REGARD TO THE PARDONED THEMSELVES . They enjoy the goodness and prosperity which God procures them. Pardon is not mere acquittal, but acceptance and adoption, and hence the goodness and prosperity.

III. IN REGARD TO THE WORLD AT LARGE . "They shall fear and tremble." Why this?

1 . Because of its manifestation of power. His people a feeble flock, but thus raised and exalted.

2 . Because of its exposure of idolatry. It will be seen how foolish they have been to trust in their false gods.

3 . Because of its manifestation of grace. The fear and trembling shall not be of dread so much as of repentance—repentance wrought by the evident grace of God in the rich pardon he has bestowed.—C.