+III. Some of the aggravations which attend it.+ 1. It is fallen into by those of whom better things might reasonably have been expected. "_Israel_ doth not know, _my people_ doth not consider." It is not the heathen who act more stupidly than the brutes, but those whom God has called to Himself, on whom He has conferred light and knowledge, &c. 2. They have had their attention earnestly directed to the topics which they still neglect. 3. They have also been chastised, in the gracious endeavour to arouse them from their thoughtlessness. 4. Many of them are very zealous in regard to outward religion, as were those whom the prophet rebuked. 5. They have been most earnestly and affectionately invited to turn to God by gracious promises (such as ver. 18). 6. They have ability enough to consider other things. +IV. Some of the secret causes of this widespread fault.+ 1. In the case of many thoughtless persons we must lay the blame to the sheer _frivolity of their nature_. 2. In every case the bottom reason is _opposition to God Himself_. 3. Upon some minds the tendency to _delay_ operates fearfully. 4. Some make an excuse for themselves for not considering eternity, because _they are such eminently practical men_. They are living for realities of the nature of hard case, and will not be induced to indulge in fancies and notions.[5] 5. Many are _prejudiced,_ because some Christian professor has not lived up to his profession, or they have heard something which is said to be the doctrine of the gospel of which they cannot approve. 6. In most cases men _do not like to trouble themselves,_ and they have an uncomfortable suspicion that if they were to look too narrowly into their affairs, they would find things far from healthy.[6]--_C. H. Spurgeon, Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit,_ vol. xviii. pp. 373-384. FOOTNOTES: