Ezek. 18:31, “Make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” As the national prosperity of God’s ancient people depended on their obedience to His laws, so they were warned that their national death would be the certain consequence of disobedience and sin. Here they are enjoined to “repent”—to “turn themselves from all their transgressions” (verse 30). “So iniquity should not be your ruin.” “For why will ye die?” It is indeed common to make these words the basis of an appeal to the unregenerate; but there is no authority for so doing. The words were spoken to God’s ancient people, and to them only; and there is no analogy between their position as responsible to God under their national covenant, and sinners who are dead in trespasses and sins and condemned already under the broken covenant of works. (Compare page 215.)
