Should it be according to thy mind? - Job 34:33.

The verse is written in language of the most ancient kind, which is but little understood. Moreover, it is extremely pithy and sententious, and hence it is obscure. The sense given in our version is, however, that which sums up the other translations, and we prefer to adhere to it.

I. DO MEN REALLY THINK THAT THINGS SHOULD BE ACCORDING TO THEIR MIND?

l. Concerning God. Their ideas of him are according to what they think he should be; but could he be God at all if he were such as the human mind would have him to be?

2. Concerning providence on a large scale, would men re-write history? Do they imagine that their arrangements would be an improvement upon infinite wisdom? In their own case they would arrange all matters selfishly. Should it be so?

3. Concerning the Gospel, its doctrines, its precepts, its results, should men have their own way? Should the atonement be left out, or the statement of it be modified to suit them?

4. Concerning the Church. Should they be head and lord?

· Should their liberal ideas erase inspiration?

· Should Baptism and the Lord's Supper be distorted to gratify them? Should gaudy ceremonies drive the Lord's homely ordinances out of doors? Should priestcraft crush out spiritual life? Should taste override divine commands?

· Should the Ministry exist only for their special consolation, and be molded at their bidding?

II. WHAT LEADS THEM TO THINK SO?

1. Self-importance, and selfishness.

2. Self-conceit, and pride.

3. A murmuring spirit which must needs grumble at everything.

4. Want of faith in Christ leading to a doubt of the power of his gospel.

5. Want of love to God, souring the mind and leading it to kick at a thing simply because the Lord prescribes it.

III. WHAT A MERCY THAT THINGS ARE NOT ACCORDING TO THEIR MIND!

1. God's glory would be obscured.

2. Many would suffer to enable one man to play the Dictator.

3. We should, any one of us, have an awful responsibility resting upon us if our own mind had the regulation of affairs.

4. Our temptations would be increased. We should be proud if we succeeded, and despairing if we met with failure.

5. Our desires would become more greedy.

6. Our sins would be uncorrected; for we should never allow a rod or a rebuke to come at us.

7. There would be universal strife; for every man would want to rule and command (James 4:5). If it ought to be according to your mind, why not according to mine?

IV. LET US CHECK THE SPIRIT WHICH SUGGESTS SUCH CONCEIT.

l. It is impracticable; for things can never be as so many different minds would have them.

2. It is unreasonable; for things ought not so to be.

3. It is unchristian; for even Christ Jesus pleased not himself, but cried,"Not as I will" (Matt. 26:39).

4. It is atheistic; for it dethrones God to set up puny man.

· Pray God to bring your mind to his will.

· Cultivate admiration for the arrangements of the Divine mind.

· Above all, accept the gospel as it is, and accept it now.