’WPC® óŸätņ Õ#§«ßĒ>0æĀ!œź!“A $0ų ĀKBŪG‡&€ƒ}„‘čŁ)–껇÷}Y1n-_ PwPĶN‘¼M‡ūö2.Ž×‰5²‹Cņn. 'ĆŹ‚ŠPwjŗ÷xU;’E S©§7c„c#ŖĶä„D"¶ę•E»E¶æépõ†i ČņĘ˜v°†Ų#?;ĒøD‹;æ_„ig%1Žø” B¤)L…śŸīC«ī~8jĮ²ƒxó)S‘æŗ‚Ą©MÆ£mū5nŹöāŚ÷1L£ŁPæ­iœGŲ{vŒ!M«ÓR qÄxż?lF›­œÅž×¢"ĪēnÆwō¢ ż*÷ńZ–>k]YŠĮU,č3B«Ļ)’izŸ­łbsĘN\#ƒqFźéā:šq7E  [»¾Śqu2ÕoĖų  „sPC\Ī@į|īóŲ”äwc±u‘›8f­aVŒ?w5`6µ \Ķę®ŗĶ'E!Ck~‡ī½`ž±‡“r÷oˆK„Z»ZJõŖd%dŲ³Eع|šf­“ī>`,˜1ū rփźęõ*ŒXŗDéJ„kG„^SxéWųNŚŌŻjżR‡_“ĶŽbƒ–ö5¶i)ž„+½†Öß_#É2UNū %I 0:O N‰ ^ ‹ w— 4› Æ ¾ mĄ ąZ× E 1 z3 b­ 0VĒ   ^3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 B ‘˜Canon MG6200 series Printerģ . .ģ 0(ÖĆ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(üœ$””ŌUSUS.,Ō½d”CōČ6PCntFold3|x@’U‹’’’’8DocumentManagement::ModifiedBooleanTRUE pŻ ƒ½Ž'ŻŌUSUS.,ŌŻ  ŻŌ_ŌÓ  Óņ ņREPENTANCE€EXPLAINED€AND€ENFORCEDó óPage ł of &ł(.3½Ž$§§Ż ƒüœ!ŻŌUSUS.,ŌŻ  Ż Ń ‹ Ń moulderingjanglingsneighbourhoodworldlingscolouringChilofavourablyworldlingunpardonedcumbererFlavel PsalxlBeveridgefavoursdishonouredbigottedunhumbledmeltingshumourcentredAlleinHerveyGrotiusUrickSalmatiusvigourGurnallJuniusVergeriousKirkeLatimerBrainerdWhitfieldBerridgeThoroughgoodlevelledxxxiiiprovidencespractising xxxiPopilus xliiAlleinemoulderedCaligulaMarcellinaPhocionmouldgrovellingbondagesdespondencies xlivGoodwintLeighton ciiiphrenzylustre lxvi lviiunfavourablemisdoingsuncancelledcxxxiv dŻ ƒüœ!ŻŌUSUS.,ŌŻ  ŻŌ_ŌÓ  ÓŃ€ŃŃ8€į˜XXdģdČ8ŃÖ€’’ÖŃ€p$=Ńņ ņņņA€note€from€the€editor:€All€Scripture€references€that€were€given€in€Roman€numeral€format€in€theŠ d Šoriginal€book€have€been€changed€to€standard€numbering€format.€For€example€Psalm€cxxxiv.€1,2€Š Lč Šhas€been€changed€to€Psalm€134:1„2.€John€Thornton€was€inconsistent€in€providing€ScriptureŠ 4Š Šreferences€even€when€he€italicized€a€scripture€quote.€No€attempt€has€been€made€to€add€theŠ  ø Šappropriate€Scripture€references.€If€you€notice€errors€in€this€document,€we€would€appreciate€anŠ    Še„mail€from€you€Ō_Ōidentifying€the€specific€errors€toŌ_Ō€comments@earnestlycontendingforthefaith.comó óóó.Š ģ ˆ ŠĢĢą@żż&ģąņ ņPREFACE.ó óˆŠ ° L ŠĢĢą  ąWhen€Christ€was€upon€earth,€he€went€about€doing€good;€instructing€the€ignorant,€healing€theŠ t  Šsick,€and€comforting€the€mourners.€All€who€profess€to€love€him€and€cordially€receive€his€doctrine,Š `ü  Šought€to€copy€his€example.€And€it€must€be€acknowledged,€that,€of€late€years,€Christians€of€differentŠ Lč  Šdenominations€have€shown€an€increased€zeal€in€promoting€the€cause€of€pure€religion.€Among€theŠ 8Ō  Švarious€means€of€doing€good,€may€be€numbered€the€giving€away€or€lending€of€pious€books.€ThoseŠ $Ą  Šwho€diligently€and€prudently€use€these€means,€will€seldom€fail€to€see€some€happy€effects€produced;Š ¬ Šand€much€of€the€seed,€which€is€thus€sown,€may€spring€up€when€the€hands€that€scattered€it€areŠ ü˜ Šmouldering€in€the€dust.€For€the€encouragement€of€benevolent€endeavours€in€this€way,€I€shall€mentionŠ č„ Šthe€following€anecdote.š"šWhen€a€great€work€of€God€was€going€on€at€Truro,€under€the€ministry€ofŠ Ōp Šthat€excellent€clergyman,€Mr.€Walker,€there€were€about€one€hundred€and€sixty€soldiers€wintering€inŠ Ą\ Šthe€town.€The€first€thing€he€did,€was€to€give€to€every€man€Reynoldššs€Compassionate€AddressŠ ¬H Šbelieving€it€a€tract,€for€its€size€and€matter,€the€fittest€in€the€world€for€their€use.€Out€of€the€hundredŠ ˜4 Šand€sixty,€in€less€than€three€weeks,€a€full€hundred€of€them€came€to€his€house,€asking€what€they€mustŠ „  Šdo€to€be€saved.€Their€very€countenances€were€changed;€and,€with€tears€bursting€from€their€eyes,€theyŠ p  Šconfessed€their€exceeding€sinfulness€and€danger!€But€even€where€effects€are€not€so€speedily€andŠ \ų Šstrikingly€manifest;€as€in€this€instance,€there€may€be€much€evil€prevented,€and€much€good€done,€byŠ Hä Šgiving€away€little€books€on€serious€and€interesting€subjects.Š 4Š Šą  ąThe€design€of€the€following€pages€is,€to€open€the€nature,€to€prove€the€necessity,€and€to€pointŠ  ¼ Šout€the€means€and€evidences€of€evangelical€repentance.€By€all€who€pay€any€regard€to€religion,€theŠ  !Ø Šsubject€is€acknowledged€to€be€of€the€highest€importance.€I€have€constantly€kept€in€view€the€lowerŠ ų!” Šclasses.€For€them€chiefly,€though€not€wholly,.is€this€little€book€intended.€It€has,€therefore,€been€myŠ ä"€ Šwish€and€aim,€to€bring€down€the€language€to€a€level€with€the€capacities€of€the€uneducated.€ThoseŠ Š#l  Šwho€have€been€accustomed€to€read€books€which€contain€the€richest€treasures€of€learning,€and€theŠ ¼$X! Šfinest€beauties€of€language,€will€find€nothing€here€to€gratify€their€taste.€Should€such€glance€into€thisŠ Ø%D" Šwork,€the€familiar€anecdotes,€and€the€plain,€homely€comparisons€they€meet,€may€be€thought€toŠ ”&0 # Šdescend€too€low€for€the€dignity€of€the€subject.€Let€it,€however,€be€recollected,€that€what€appears€grossŠ €'!$ Šor€trite€to€one,€may€be€I€too€refined€and€abstruse€for€another.€Those€who€are€little€acquainted€withŠ l("% Šthe€poor€and€illiterate,€can€scarcely€have€an€idea€how€difficult€it€is€to€render€religious€truthŠ X)ō"& Šsufficiently€palpable€and€pointed€to€make€any€impression€upon€them.€My€chief€fear,€therefore,€is,€notŠ D*ą#' Šthat€I€have€sunk€the€language€below€the€mark€required,€but€that€it€is,€after€all€my€endeavours,€stillŠ 0+Ģ$( Štoo€high.Š ,ø%) Šą  ąThat€many€have€written€well€on€the€doctrine€of€repentance,€I€grant:€but€the€subject€is€mingledŠ d Šwith€others€in€voluminous€works.€I€have€not€seen€a€treatise€on€this€all-important€topic,€in€a€smallŠ Pģ Šcompass,€and€in€a€plain€style.€Had€I€known€any€thing€which€appeared€well-adapted€to€answer€theŠ <Ų Šsame€end,€I€should€certainly€have€spared€my€labour.Š ( Ä Šą  ąI€am€not€without€hope,€that€masters,€or€heads€of€families,€may€be€induced€to€give€this,€withŠ  ° Šother€serious€books,€to€their€servants;€and€that€those€who€have€the€means€and€the€will€to€do€good,Š  œ Šmay€feel€disposed€to€spread€it€among€their€neighbours.Š ģ ˆ Šą  ąWe€live€in€an€age,€when€various€plans€for€the€instruction€of€the€poor€are€every€day€receivingŠ Ų t Šadditional€encouragement.€So€numerous€are€Sunday€schools,€and€so€active€are€those€who€teach€andŠ Ä ` Šconduct€them,€that€we€may€reasonably€hope,€in€a€short€time,€there€will€be€but€comparatively€fewŠ °L  Šamong€the€lower€classes€that€cannot€read.€And€is€it€not€desirable,€that€they€should€be€furnished€withŠ œ8  Šserious€and€suitable€books?€Considering€the€multitude€of€loose€and€dangerous€publications€whichŠ ˆ$  Šare€continually€issuing€from€the€press,€it€is€surely€necessary€that€the€friends€of€religion€should€do€allŠ t  Šthey€can€to€pre-occupy€the€ground,€or€to€provide€antidotes€where€the€poison€has€begun€to€take€effect.Š `ü  Šą  ąIf€this€small€work€should€be€blessed€of€God€as€the€means€of€exciting€a€deep€and€seriousŠ Lč  Šconcern€about€the€š šOne€thing€needful,šš€in€any€who€receive€it,€I€shall€think€myself€well€rewarded.Š 8Ō  ŠMay€that€Being,€from€whom€cometh€every€blessing,€cause€the€influence€of€his€grace€to€accompanyŠ $Ą Šit€to€many€hearts!Š ¬ ŠĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢŠ 0,Ģ%) Š‡ĢÓ=ÓÓ  ÓINTRODUCTIONŠ Pģ ŠĢTO€THE€NEW€HAVEN€EDITIONŠ ( Ä ŠĢÓĀÓÓ  Óą  ąThe€frequent€calls€for€the€following€work,€and€the€testimony€born€to€its€merits,€by€manyŠ  œ Šfaithful€and€experience€clergyman,€who€have€made€use€of€it€in€their€parishes,€have€induced€theŠ ģ ˆ Špublisher€to€offer€a€new€addition,€in€the€present€cheap€and€convenient€form.Š Ų t Šą  ąThe€principal€portion€of€the€Arthurššs€preface,€being€wholly€inapplicable€to€the€state€of€thingsŠ Ä ` Šin€this€country,€it€has€been€deemed€advisable€to€retain€only€so€much€of€it€as€may€be€necessary€toŠ °L  Šexplain€the€object€of€the€work.€With€this€omission,€and€the€addition€of€a€few€short€forms€of€prayer,Š œ8  Šwhich€may€be€found€convenient€and€useful€and€directing€the€devotions€of€the€honest€and€anxiousŠ ˆ$  Šinquirer,€this€edition€presents€the€work€precisely€in€its€original€form.€The€six€chapters€whichŠ t  Šconstitute€the€entire€body€of€the€work,€remain€without€the€slightest€alteration.Š `ü  Šą  ąIt€was€the€design€of€the€Arthur€of€this€work,€to€furnish€a€plane€and€concise€treatise€on€one€ofŠ Lč  Šthe€most€important€subjects€connected€with€the€doctrines€of€the€gospel:š"š€š što€open€the€natureš"š€toŠ 8Ō  Šprove€the€necessityš"š€and€to€point€out€the€means€and€evidences€of€evangelical€repentance.šš€š šManyŠ $Ą Š(the€author€admits)€have€written€well€on€the€doctrine€of€repentance;€but€the€subject€is€mingled€withŠ ¬ Šothers,€and€voluminous€works.šš€He€felt€the€necessity,€therefore,€of€preparing€a€treatise€on€this€all„Š ü˜ Šimportant€topic,€in€a€small€compass,€and€in€a€plain€styleš"šthat€it€might€best€obtain€a€generalŠ č„ Šcirculation€among€all€classes€of€people.€The€giving€away€or€lending€of€books€of€this€description,€isŠ Ōp Šamong€the€means€of€promoting€the€cause€of€religion€at€the€present€day;€and€the€Arthur€correctlyŠ Ą\ Šremarks,€that€š šthose€who€diligently€imprudently€use€these€means,€will€seldom€failed€to€see€someŠ ¬H Šhappy€affect€produced;€and€much€of€the€seed€which€is€thus€sown,€may€spring€up€when€the€hands€thatŠ ˜4 Šscattered€it€or€moldering€in€the€dust.ššŠ „  Šą  ąš šIf€this€small€work€(adds€the€author)€should€be€blessed€of€God€as€a€means€of€exciting€a€deepŠ p  Šand€serious€concern€about€the€ņņņņONE€THING€NEEDFULóóóó,€is€any€who€receive€it,€I€shall€think€myself€wellŠ \ų Šrewarded.€May€that€Being,€from€whom€cometh€every€blessing,€cause€the€influence€of€his€grace€toŠ Hä Šaccompany€it€too€many€heartsšš.Š 4 Š ŠĢÓ  ÓCONTENTSŠ  "Ø ŠÓš$ÓĢÓ  ÓPageŠ ä#€  ŠÓ*%ÓChapter€Ią0 ` ąOn€the€State€of€the€Impenitentą‚#Ä"Ä"J(#.ŹŹ2` (#` (##ą4ˆŠ Š$l! ŠChapter€IIą0 ` ąOn€the€Nature€of€Repentanceą‚#`"`"I(#.vv/` (#` (##ą11ˆŠ ¼%X" ŠChapter€IIIą0 ` ąOn€the€Necessity€of€Repentanceą‚#`"`"I(#.ZZ2` (#` (##ą20ˆŠ Ø&D # ŠChapter€IVą0 ` ąOn€the€Means€of€Promoting€Repentanceą‚#`"`"I(#.źź8` (#` (##ą30ˆŠ ”'0!$ ŠChapter€Vą0 ` ąOn€the€Evidences€of€Repentanceą‚#`"`"I(#.ŒŒ2` (#` (##ą40ˆŠ €("% ŠChapter€VIą0 ` ąOn€the€Encouragements€Given€to€the€Penitentą‚#`"`"I(#.¬¬?` (#` (##ą50ˆŠ l)#& ŠPrayersą‚`"`"I(#.ą63ˆŠ X*ō#' ŠĢŠ 0,Ģ%) Š‡ĢÓ  ÓREPENTANCE.Š Pģ ŠĢĢCHAPTER€IŠ  ° ŠĢņņOn€the€State€of€the€Impenitent.€óóŠ ģ ˆ ŠÓY(ÓĢą  ąI€Ō_ŌwillŌ_Ō€tell€you,€reader,€in€the€beginning,€what€is€my€design€in€this€little€book:€I€do€not€intendŠ Ä ` Što€amuse€you€with€curious€questions,€or€engage€you€in€fierce€disputes,€and€vain€janglings;€but€toŠ °L  Šshew€you€the€things€that€belong€to€your€peace.€You€must€soon€die,€and€bid€farewell€to€the€world.Š œ8  ŠYou€are€gliding€down€the€stream€of€time€into€a€shoreless€and€bottomless€ocean.€It€is€clear€from€theŠ ˆ$  Šword€of€God,€that€after€death€you€must€be€either€eternally€happy,€or€eternally€miserable.€It€is€as€plainŠ t  Šas€words€can€make€it,€that€if€you€go€on€hardened€in€sin€to€the€last,€your€precious€immortal€soul€willŠ `ü  Šbe€certainly€lost,€and€lost€forever.€I€therefore€beg€your€serious€attention€to€the€subject€of€repentance.Š Lč  ŠNo€subject€is€more€frequently€and€urgently€pressed€upon€men€in€the€holy€scriptures.€Every€messengerŠ 8Ō  Šthat€God€has€sent€to€perishing€sinners,€has€brought€a€call€to€repentance.€Every€instance€of€the€carelessŠ $Ą Šand€profane€cut€off€by€death,€is€a€loud€call€to€the€living.€Every€affliction€in€your€own€person,€is€a€callŠ ¬ Šfrom€God€to€repentance.Š ü˜ Šą  ąThink€of€the€value€and€duration€of€the€soul.€Luther€declares€this€life€to€be€but€a€little€pieceŠ č„ Šof€life€everlasting.€When€you€have€passed€over€your€narrow€span€of€time,€you€must€immediatelyŠ Ōp Šenter€upon€a€boundless€eternity.€As€you€sow€in€this€world,€you€must€reap€in€that€which€is€to€come.Š Ą\ ŠWhile,€therefore,€I€set€before€you€the€nature€and€necessity€of€repentance,€I€shall€use€great€plainnessŠ ¬H Šof€speech.€I€would€keep€back€nothing€that€may€be€profitable€to€you,€but€faithfully€declare€the€wholeŠ ˜4 Šcounsel€of€God.€If€I€make€use€of€strong€and€pointed€language,€it€is€because€I€most€ardently€wish€toŠ „  Šarouse€you€to€a€true€sense€of€your€danger,€and€lead€you€into€the€way€of€salvation.€Look€into€theŠ p  Šscriptures€of€the€Old€Testament,€and€see€with€what€earnestness€and€solemnity€the€prophets€exhortedŠ \ų Šthe€thoughtless,€the€worldly-minded,€and€the€wicked,€to€forsake€their€sins,€and€cast€themselves€uponŠ Hä Šthe€mercy€of€a€pardoning€God.€Look€into€the€New€Testament,€and€see€with€what€plainness,€with€whatŠ 4 Š Šmelting€compassion,€with€what€burning€zeal,€Christ€and€his€apostles€warned€the€guilty€to€flee€fromŠ  !¼ Šthe€wrath€to€come,€and€lay€hold€on€eternal€life.Š  "Ø Šą  ąWe€read€in€Luke€13:1„5.€ņņThere€were€present€at€that€season€some€that€told€him€of€theŠ ų"” ŠGalileans,€whose€blood€Pilate€had€mingled€with€their€sacrifices.€And€Jesus€answering,€said€untoŠ ä#€  Šthem,€suppose€ye€that€these€Galileans€were€sinners€above€all€the€Galileans,€because€they€sufferedŠ Š$l! Šsuch€things?€1€tell€you€nay:€but€except€ye€repent,€ye€shall€all€likewise€perish.€Or€those€eighteen,€uponŠ ¼%X" Šwhom€the€tower€in€Siloam€fell€and€slew€them,€think€ye€that€they€were€sinners€above€them€that€dweltŠ Ø&D # Šin€Jerusalem?€I€tell€you€nay:€but€except€ye€repent,€ye€shall€all€likewise€perish.€óóŠ ”'0!$ Šą  ąHere€we€see€how€ready€men€are€to€put€away€the€weighty€concerns€of€religion€fromŠ €("% Šthemselves,€and€think€or€speak€only€of€other€persons.€They€are€willing€that€blame€should€be€laid€anyŠ l)#& Šwhere,€€rather€than€at€their€own€doors.€They€shun€the€light,€and€labour€to€shake€off€those€convictionsŠ X*ō#' Šwhich€begin€to€trouble€the€conscience.€In€this€scripture,€our€Lord€directs€his€piercing€words€to€everyŠ D+ą$( Šheart.€He€also€teaches€us€the€use€we€ought€to€make€of€any€remarkable€events€of€providence€whichŠ 0,Ģ%) Štake€place€in€the€world,€and€especially€in€our€own€neighbourhood.€In€no€part€of€the€Bible€is€theŠ d Šabsolute€necessity€of€repentance€more€forcibly€insisted€on€than€in€this€passage.€As,€however,€a€manŠ Pģ Šmust€see€his€danger€before€he€will€inquire€for€a€refuge,€and€his€disease,€before€he€will€seek€for€aŠ <Ų Šremedy,€I€shall€proceed,€Š ( Ä Šą  ąTo€show€the€state€of€the€impenitent.Š  ° ŠTo€fix€a€deeper€impression€on€the€mind,€the€scriptures€represent€the€unconverted€by€variousŠ  œ Šcomparisons.€Thus€we€find,€the€impenitent€described€as€in€a€state€of€spiritual€darkness,€of€distanceŠ ģ ˆ Šfrom€God,€of€deep€pollution,€of€guilt€and€condemnation,€of€bondage€and€misery.Š Ų t Šą  ąThe€impenitent€are€in€a€state€of€spiritual€darkness.Š Ä ` ŠIt€is€said,€ņņThis€is€life€eternal€to€know€the€only€true€God,€and€Jesus€Christ€whom€he€hath€sent.€óóBut€sinŠ °L  Šis€a€dark€cloud€upon€the€mind,€a€thick€vail€drawn€over€the€heart,€which€excludes€the€precious€lightŠ œ8  Šof€divine€truth.€ņņThe€natural€man€receiveth€not€the€things€of€the€Spirit€of€God,€for€they€are€foolishnessŠ ˆ$  Što€him,€neither€can€he€know€them,€because€they€are€spiritually€discerned.€óó1€Corinthians€2:14.€To€oneŠ t  Šwho€is€in€this€state,€the€clearest€displays€of€the€power,€wisdom,€justice,€and€goodness€of€God€:€andŠ `ü  Šthe€fullest€manifestations€of€the€love,€compassion,€faithfulness,€and€glory€of€Christ,€are€only€as€theŠ Lč  Šbeauties€of€a€fine€prospect€to€a€blind€man.€While€the€understanding,€which€is€the€window€of€theŠ 8Ō  Šmind,€remains€shut,€all€within€must€be€dreary€darkness.€When€there€is€no€motion€of€love€andŠ $Ą Šgratitude€in€the€heart,€no€breathing€of€fervent€prayer€from€the€lips€towards€God,€the€soul€is€dead€inŠ ¬ Štrespasses€and€sins.€How€strong,€and€yet€how€just€is€the€language€of€the€prophet:€ņņDarkness€hathŠ ü˜ Šcovered€the€earth,€and€gross€darkness€the€people.€óóWhat€can€more€truly€describe€the€ignorance€andŠ č„ Šstupidity€of€the€carnal€mind,€than€these€words?Š Ōp Šą  ąAnd€is€this,€reader,€your€unhappy€state?€Be€not€offended€at€this€serious€question,€but€examineŠ Ą\ Šwhether€it€be€so€or€not.€It€is€possible€you€may€be€proud€of€your€knowledge,€and€yet€in€spiritualŠ ¬H Šmatters,€continue€as€blind€as€the€mole€that€grovels€in€the€earth.€The€footsteps€of€God€are€printed€onŠ ˜4 Šthe€works€of€creation,€and€yet€you€do€not€see€those€footsteps€and€admire.€The€hand€of€God€isŠ „  Šstretched€out,€guiding€all€the€affairs€of€providence,€giving€you€daily€bread€and€hourly€protection,€andŠ p  Šyet€you€do€not€see€that€hand€and€thankfully€adore.€The€face€of€God,€the€reconciled€countenance€ofŠ \ų Šthe€Father,€shines€as€in€a€glass,€in€the€gospel,€and€yet€you€do€not€see€it€and€heartily€rejoice.€TheŠ Hä Šunsearchable€riches€of€Christ,€and€the€everlasting€glories€of€heaven,€are€opened€by€the€promises,€andŠ 4 Š Šstill€you€neither€see€their€value,€nor€seek€them.€Are€not€these€proofs€that€the€understanding€isŠ  !¼ Šdarkened?€Seneca,€in€a€letter€to€a€friend,€says,€š šMy€wife€keeps€a€poor€silly€girl,€who€all€of€a€suddenŠ  "Ø Šlost€her€sight;€and€(which€may€seem€incredible,€but€is€very€true)€she€does€not€know€that€she€is€blind;Š ų"” Šbut€is€every€now€and€then€asking€her€governess€to€lead€her€abroad,€saying€the€house€is€dark.€NowŠ ä#€  Šwhat€we€laugh€at€in€this€poor€creature,€we€may€observe€happens€to€us€all.€No€man€knows€that€he€isŠ Š$l! Šcovetous€or€insatiable.€Yet€with€this€difference,€the€blind€seek€somebody€to€lead€them,€but€we€areŠ ¼%X" Šcontent€to€wander€without€a€guide.ššŠ Ø&D # ŠIf€you€behold€a€man€walking€unconcerned€near€the€edge€of€a€deep€whirlpool,€would€you€not€thinkŠ ”'0!$ Šhim€blind€or€mad?€Would€you€not€fly€to€snatch€him€back€from€destruction?€And€what€can€be€a€moreŠ €("% Šfull€proof€of€spiritual€blindness,€than€a€total€indifference€to€the€dangers€that€threaten€the€soul?€If€fireŠ l)#& Šcomes€so€near€your€house€or€goods,€that€you€have€reason€to€fear€they€will€be€consumed,€you€useŠ X*ō#' Ševery€means€to€secure€them.€But€though€the€fire€of€Godššs€wrath€is€kindling€to€destroy€the€soul,€youŠ D+ą$( Šneither€dread€nor€see€the€danger.€If€the€mind€were€not€grossly€darkened,€how€could€you€thoughtlesslyŠ 0,Ģ%) Šdance€and€sport€on€the€borders€of€the€bottomless€pit?€It€is€true,€light€is€come€into€the€world,€you€liveŠ d Šamidst€the€full€blaze€of€gospel€day,€and€yet€you€love€darkness€rather€than€light.€ņņO,€that€you€knew€evenŠ Pģ Šin€this€your€day,€the€things€that€belong€to€your€peace,€before€they€are€hid€from€your€eyes.€óóLukeŠ <Ų Š19:42.Š ( Ä Šą  ąThe€impenitent€are€in€a€state€of€distance€from€God.Š  ° Šą  ąIn€the€scriptures€all€are€represented€as€wanderers€from€God.€ņņWe€all€like€sheep€have€goneŠ  œ Šastray,€we€have€turned€every€one€unto€his€own€way.€óóIsaiah€53:6.€ņņWe€have€forsaken€the€fountain€ofŠ ģ ˆ Šliving€waters,€and€hewed€out€cisterns,€broken€cisterns,€that€can€hold€no€water.€óóJeremiah€2:3.€SinceŠ Ų t ŠAdam€fell,€every€son€and€daughter€of€Adam€is€averse€to€good€and€inclined€to€evil.€Not€only€is€theŠ Ä ` Šunderstanding€darkened,€but€the€will€is€perverted,€and€the€affections€are€corrupted.€Instead€of€seekingŠ °L  Šhappiness€from€God,€the€everlasting€spring€of€all€blessings,€we€naturally€seek€it€in€the€foolish€devicesŠ œ8  Šand€imaginations€of€our€own€hearts.Š ˆ$  ŠThis€distance€from€God,€our€Lord€sets€forth€in€a€just€comparison,€Matthew€7:13„14.€ņņWide€is€the€gate,Š t  Šand€broad€is€the€way,€that€leadeth€to€destruction,€and€many€there€are€that€go€in€thereat.€óóLet€me€begŠ `ü  Šyou€to€pay€a€particular€attention€to€this€remarkable€scripture.€In€the€broad€way,€there€are€manyŠ Lč  Šseparate€paths,€which€all€run€to€the€same€dreadful€end.€The€inclinations€and€passions€of€ungodly€menŠ 8Ō  Šmay€lead€them€to€different€follies€and€vices,€while€they€are€all€living€without€Christ€and€far€fromŠ $Ą Šrighteousness.€In€the€broad€way€is€the€path€of€ņņgaietyóó,€full€of€amusements€and€diversions.€WhatŠ ¬ Šglittering€toys!€what€alluring€vanities!€what€tempting€baits€are€here€held€out€to€catch€the€careless,€orŠ ü˜ Što€entice€and€delude€the€young.€This€flowery€path,€so€plentifully€furnished€with€enchanting€charms,Š č„ Šis€travelled€by€all€who€are€ņņlovers€of€pleasure€more€than€lovers€of€God.€óóNear€the€path€of€gaiety,€is€theŠ Ōp Špath€of€ņņprofligacyóó,€in€which€are€prodigals,€wasting€their€substance€in€riotous€living;€adulterers€andŠ Ą\ Šdrunkards,€glorying€in€their€shame;€liars€and€swearers,€whose€mouths€are€full€of€falsehood,€cursing,Š ¬H Šand€bitterness;€gamesters€and€thieves,€who€live€by€plunder€and€violence,€neither€fearing€God,€norŠ ˜4 Šregarding€man;€In€the€broad€way,€is€the€path€of€ņņself-righteousnessóó.€This€indeed€is€very€lofty,€and€hasŠ „  Ša€fair€and€showy€appearance,€but€it€is€exceedingly€dangerous.€Here€are€the€proud€and€high-minded,Š p  Šwho€boast€of€their€good€works,€and€dream€of€obtaining€heaven€by€their€own€fancied€merit.€In€theŠ \ų Šbroad€way€are€the€crooked€paths€of€ņņdeceitóó,€full€of€traps€and€snares,€and€covered€pit-falls.€Here€travelŠ Hä Šsmooth-tongued€dissemblers,€and€painted€hypocrites.€The€path€of€covetousness€is€crowded€withŠ 4 Š Šsordid€worldlings,€heaping€up€riches€and€lading€themselves€with€thick€clay.€Now€all€these€paths€leadŠ  !¼ Što€destruction.€This€is€not€an€airy€fancy,€but€a€certain€fact.€The€words€of€Christ€will€be€found€true,Š  "Ø Šwhether€you€believe€them€or€not.€Consider,€reader,€whether€you€are€not€yet€in€this€broad€way.€It€isŠ ų"” Ša€thing€which€may€be€known,€and€ought€to€be€determined€without€any€delay.€Perhaps€you€haveŠ ä#€  Špassed€from€one€path€to€another,€but€are€still€rushing€on€in€the€downward€and€dangerous€road.€O,Š Š$l! Šstop,€presumptuous€sinner,€in€your€mad€career!€With€the€deepest€concern,€and€the€tenderest€affection,Š ¼%X" ŠI€would€admonish€and€persuade€you.€If€it€were€possible€for€me€to€save€you€by€force,€as€the€angel€laidŠ Ø&D # Šhold€of€Lot€to€lead€him€out€of€Sodom,€I€would€gladly€do€it.€But€all€I€can€do€is,€to€reason€with€you,Š ”'0!$ Šand€try€every€argument€and€motive€the€most€likely€to€reach€the€understanding,€and€touch€the€heart.Š €("% ŠIt€is€probable€you€have€heard€many€a€loud€call,€and€felt€many€a€sharp€check,€and€yet€you€drive€onŠ l)#& Šwith€fury!€Whither€are€you€moving€with€such€hasty€strides!€What€will€be€the€end€of€your€presentŠ X*ō#' Šcourse?€Ah!€you€are€fast€going,€perhaps€far€gone€toward€eternal€perdition!€There€is€but€a€stepŠ D+ą$( Šbetween€you€and€death;€and€not€a€step€between€death€and€despair!€The€voice€of€heaven€calls€you€toŠ 0,Ģ%) Šturn€to€God,€from€whom€you€have€so€deeply€revolted.€Except€you€be€converted,€ņņand€become€as€aŠ d Šlittle€child,€you€can€in€no€wise€enter€into€the€kingdom€of€Godóó.€Š Pģ Šą  ąThe€impenitent€are€in€a€state€of€deep€pollution.Š <Ų Šą  ąThere€is€a€generation€that€are€pure€in€their€own€eyes,€and€yet€are€not€washed€from€theirŠ ( Ä Šfilthiness.€It€has€been€said,€š š€Man€is€a€polished€mirror,€with€one€slight€speck,€vanity,€and€that€speckŠ  ° Šis€wiped€off€by€death.šš€According€to€this€fine€flattering€comparison,€sin,€it€seems,€must€not€be€calledŠ  œ Ša€blot,€nor€even€a€stain,€but€a€speck,€a€slight€speck.€Let€us€now€examine€what€the€word€of€God€saysŠ ģ ˆ Šrespecting€human€nature,€in€its€present€state.€He€who€sees€into€the€heart,€and€will€be€the€judge€of€allŠ Ų t Šin€the€last€day,€must€be€allowed€capable€of€giving€the€most€just€account€of€man.€Turn€to€Genesis€6:5„Š Ä ` Š12.€ņņAnd€God€saw€that€the€wickedness€of€man€was€great€in€the€earthy€and€that€every€imagination€ofŠ °L  Šthe€thoughts€of€his€heart€was€only€evil€continuallyóó.€If€it€should€be€thought€this€passage€is€a€proof€ofŠ œ8  Šthe€depravity€of€those€only,€who€lived€before€the€flood,€turn€to€Job€15:14„16.€ņņWhat€is€man,€that€heŠ ˆ$  Šshould€he€clean,€or€he€that€is€born€of€a€woman,€that€he€should€be€righteous?€Behold,€he€putteth€noŠ t  Štrust€in€his€saints,€yea,€the€heavens€are€not€clean€in€his€sight;€how€much€more€abominable€and€filthyŠ `ü  Šis€man,€which€drinketh€in€iniquity€like€water?€óóOur€Lord,€who€perfectly€knew€what€was€in€man,€opensŠ Lč  Šthat€fountain€of€corruption,€that€forge€of€iniquityš"šthe€carnal€heart.€Mark€8:21„23.€ņņFor€from€within,Š 8Ō  Šout€of€the€heart€of€man,€proceed€evil€thoughts,€adulteries,€fornications,€murders,€thefts,Š $Ą Šcovetousness,€wickedness,€lasciviousness,€an€evil€eye,€blasphemy,€pride,€foolishness:€all€these€evilŠ ¬ Šthings€come€from€within€and€defile€the€man.€óóNor€can€it€be€truly€said,€that€some€are€free€fromŠ ü˜ Šdepravity€and€sin.€Every€branch€from€the€stock€of€Adam€is€corrupt,€though€every€branch€does€notŠ č„ Šbring€forth€the€same€quantity€of€bad€fruit.€For€proof€of€this,€look€into€Romans€3:9„12.€ņņWhat€then?Š Ōp Šare€we€better€than€they?€No,€in€no€wise;€for€we€have€before€proved,€both€Jews€and€Gentiles,€that€theyŠ Ą\ Šare€all€under€sin.€As€it€is€written,€there€is€none€righteous€no,€not€one;€there€is€none€thatŠ ¬H Šunderstandeth:€there€is€none€that€seeketh€after€God.€They€are€all€gone€out€of€the€way;€there€is€noneŠ ˜4 Šthat€doeth€good,€no,€not€one.€óóŠ „  ŠExamine€with€care€the€scriptures€just€repeated.€Here€is€a€painting€of€man,€drawn€by€hands€whichŠ p  Šcould€not€err!€It€is€not€suited€to€flatter€self„love€and€vanity.€Sin€does€not€appear€as€a€slight€speck;€itŠ \ų Šis€the€dark€colouring€that€overspreads€the€whole€piece.€Do€not€turn€away€with€levity€or€scorn,€as€ifŠ Hä Šit€no€way€concerned€you.€I€have€purposely€held€up€this€picture€to€your€view,€that€you€may€try€if€youŠ 4 Š Šcannot€perceive€your€own€likeness.€Yes!€you€need€only€look€attentively,€and€you€will€find€every€lineŠ  !¼ Šand€every€feature,€every€blot€and€every€blemish€in€yourself.€We€may€say€of€the€scriptures,€which€IŠ  "Ø Šhave€been€setting€before€you,Š ų"” ŠĢą0  ąą0` (#(#ąNo€glass€can€represent€the€faceŠŠ$l!` (#` (# Šą0  ąą0` (#(#ąMore€clearly,€than€these€words€your€case.Š¼%X"` (#` (# ŠĢą  ąChilo,€one€of€the€Greek€wise€men,€when€he€was€at€the€point€of€death,€called€his€friends€toŠ ”'0!$ Šhim,€and€said,€he€could€find€nothing€to€repent€of,€in€all€his€past€life;€not€one€fault€except€in€a€singleŠ €("% Šinstance,€leaning€a€little€too€favourably€to€a€friend€in€judgment.€How€blind€must€that€man€be€whoŠ l)#& Šcannot€see€scarlet!€Instead€of€saying€you€see€nothing€amiss€in€your€past€life,€while€you€examine€theŠ X*ō#' Šscriptures,€have€you€not€reason€to€express€yourself€in€the€words€of€Job,€š šBehold,€I€am€vile?šš€Are€youŠ D+ą$( Šnot€fully€convinced,€that,€unless€you€are€washed€in€the€fountain€opened€for€sin€and€uncleanness,€andŠ 0,Ģ%) Šcreated€anew€in€the€image€of€Christ,€you€cannot€enter€into€the€kingdom€of€heaven?Š d Šą  ąThe€impenitent€are€in€a€state€of€guilt€and€condemnation.Š Pģ Šą  ąIt€is€awful€to€see€a€man,€who€has€broken€the€laws€of€his€country,€trembling€in€his€chains,€asŠ <Ų Šhe€hears€the€sentence€which€declares€him€guilty.€Condemned€to€die€for€his€crimes,€he€feels€aŠ ( Ä Šthousand€horrors,€before€the€hour€of€execution€comes.€But€that€man€is€in€a€far€more€dreadfulŠ  ° Šcondition,€whom€the€sentence€of€the€divine€law€dooms€to€eternal€misery.€God,€as€a€God€of€justice,Š  œ Šwill€not€suffer€his€authority€to€be€trampled€upon€by€the€wicked,€without€calling€them€to€an€accountŠ ģ ˆ Šfor€it.€Sin,€says€the€apostle€John,€is€the€transgression€of€the€law.€And€God€keeps€a€book€ofŠ Ų t Šremembrance,€in€which€every€vicious€deed,€every€idle€word,€and€every€sinful€thought,€is€registered.Š Ä ` ŠNow€consider€that€it€is€said,€š š€Cursed€is€every€one€that€continueth€not€in€all€things€written€in€the€bookŠ °L  Šof€the€law€to€do€them.šš€And€can€you€believe€this€without€trembling?€Is€there€nothing€to€alarm€youŠ œ8  Šin€the€wrath€of€the€Almighty?€Can€you€sleep€undisturbed,€in€carnal€ease,€while€the€curse€of€the€mostŠ ˆ$  Šhigh€God€hangs€over€your€guilty€head?€But,€perhaps,€you€think€yourself€clear€of€the€charge€broughtŠ t  Šagainst€you.€When€the€words€of€the€law€are€repeated,€you€are€ready€to€cry,€All€these€things€have€IŠ `ü  Škept€from€my€youth€up;€I€never€committed€theft,€adultery,€nor€murder.€But€is€it€not€possible,€you€mayŠ Lč  Šbe€too€hasty€in€this€matter?€Take€the€trouble€of€weighing€what€Christ€says€of€the€law€in€MatthewŠ 8Ō  Š5:22„35.€There€you€will€find,€that€slightly€uttering€the€name€of€God,€is€profaneness;€a€wanton€look,Š $Ą Šis€adultery;€anger,€without€a€just€cause,€is€murder;€a€grasping€eagerness€after€the€world,€isŠ ¬ Šcovetousness€and€idolatry.€By€proceeding€in€this€way,€you€will€be€convinced,€that,€although€menššsŠ ü˜ Šnotions€of€duty€and€sin€are€very€narrow,€ņņGodššs€commandments€are€exceeding€broadóó.€If€the€scripturesŠ č„ Šare€to€be€believed,€it€is€an€undeniable€truth,€that,€by€the€deeds€of€the€law,€shall€no€man€living€beŠ Ōp Šjustified.€Not€the€least€room€is€left€for€self-righteous€pretenses€and€pleas.€Every€mouth€is€stopped,Š Ą\ Šand€the€whole€world€is€become€guilty€before€God.€There€is€no€way€of€escaping€the€awful€judgmentsŠ ¬H Šof€God,€but€by€faith€in€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ.€Romans€8:1.€If€you€remain€still€in€impenitence€andŠ ˜4 Šunbelief,€you€are€yet€under€the€curse.€He€that€believeth€not€is€condemned€already,€and€the€wrath€ofŠ „  ŠGod€abideth€on€him.€John€3:18„36.Š p  Šą  ąThe€impenitent€are€in€a€state€of€bondage€and€misery.Š \ų Šą  ąHow€wretched€was€the€condition€of€the€Israelites€in€Egypt,€when€they€were€not€only€underŠ Hä Šthe€iron€rod€of€Pharaoh,€the€great€tyrant,€but€also€under€the€smarting€scourges€of€those€petty€tyrants,Š 4 Š Šthe€task€masters!€Well€might€they€sigh€and€sicken€over€their€hard€labours€and€unpitied€woes:€but€theŠ  !¼ Šstate€of€unconverted€men€is€far€worse.€They€sell€themselves€to€do€the€vilest€drudgery.€They€are€theŠ  "Ø Šslaves€of€Satan,€and€the€servants€of€sin.Š ų"” Šą  ąPaul€declares,€that€those€who€oppose€themselves€to€the€gospel,€are€led€captive€by€the€devilŠ ä#€  Šat€his€will.€And€whither€are€you€likely€to€be€conducted€by€such€a€leader?€What€reward€can€you€expectŠ Š$l! Što€receive€from€such€a€master?€He€will€draw€you€on,€by€little€and€little,€into€his€snares€and€fetters,Š ¼%X" Štill€you€are€as€fast€bound€as€if€girt€with€chains€of€brass.€He€will€promise€many€sweets,€and€give€youŠ Ø&D # Šthe€apples€of€Sodom;€he€will€show€you€the€glories€of€the€world,€and€plunge€you€in€the€horrors€ofŠ ”'0!$ Šdespair.Š €("% Šą  ąThe€apostle€Peter€speaks€of€some€who€boast€of€their€liberty,€and€yet€are€the€servants€ofŠ l)#& Šcorruption.€Such€persons€yield€up€all€their€powers€and€members,€as€instruments€of€unrighteousnessŠ X*ō#' Što€sin.€Romans€6:13.€And€O,€what€a€wretched€state€is€this!€Yet€every€impenitent€man€is€tied€downŠ D+ą$( Šby€the€base€customs€of€an€evil€world,€and€given€up€to€serve€divers€lusts€and€pleasures,€those€cruelŠ 0,Ģ%) Štask-masters€which€are€never€satisfied.Š d Šą  ąLet€it€never€be€forgotten,€that€sorrow€follows€sin,€as€the€shadow€does€the€substance.€PeterŠ Pģ Šjoins€together€ņņthe€bond€of€iniquity€and€the€gall€of€bitternessóó.€Solomon€says,€ņņThe€way€of€transgressorsŠ <Ų Šis€hardóó;€and€truly€such€as€travel€in€that€way€not€only€forsake€their€own€mercies,€but€multiply€theirŠ ( Ä Šmiseries€at€every€step.€Be€not€deceived€with€appearances.€While€men€are€so€jovial€in€their€revels,Š  ° Šhow€often,€even€when€the€face€is€gay,€is€the€heart€sad!€Colonel€Gardiner,€while€he€was€eagerlyŠ  œ Špursuing€the€vanities€and€follies€of€the€world,€appeared€always€so€full€of€life€and€spirit,€that€he€gotŠ ģ ˆ Šthe€name€of€the€happy€rake;€but,€after€he€became€a€new€man,€he€declared,€that,€at€the€very€time€whenŠ Ų t Šhe€seemed€so€merry,€that€others€envied€his€pleasures,€he€was€often€so€miserable€in€his€own€mind,€asŠ Ä ` Što€wish€himself€a€dog!€It€was€a€saying€of€Augustine,šš€The€pleasures€of€sin€are€momentary;€but€itsŠ °L  Špunishments€are€eternal.šš€These€pleasures,€even€while€they€last,€are€mixed€with€bitterness.Š œ8  Šą  ąI€grant€that€there€are€some,€who€seem€so€completely€stupefied,€as€not€in€the€least€to€feel€theirŠ ˆ$  Šwretchedness.€But€a€time€is€coming,€that€will€awake€them€from€sleep,€and€put€all€their€dreams€toŠ t  Šflight.€Hear€the€prosperous€worldling€saying€to€himself,ņņ€Soul,€thou€hast€much€goods€laid€up€for€manyŠ `ü  Šyears,€take€thine€ease;€eat,€drink,€and€be€merryóó.€Luke€12:19.€But€hold,€vain€boaster!€Those€goodsŠ Lč  Šare€not€thy€own.€He€who€lent€them,€has€not€given€up€his€right,€nor€forgotten€his€claim.€Those€manyŠ 8Ō  Šyears,€set€down€in€thy€reckoning,€are€not€written€in€the€book€of€Godššs€decrees.€Hark!€a€messengerŠ $Ą Šknocks€at€the€door.€ņņThis€night€thy€soul€is€required€of€thee!€óóInstead€of€taking€thy€ease,€now€go€takeŠ ¬ Šthy€trial.€Amidst€all€the€stores€prepared€for€the€perishing€body,€what€provision€hast€thou€for€theŠ ü˜ Šimmortal€soul?€Alas,€poor€wretch!€thou€hast€had€no€shelter€for€it,€but€a€refuge€of€lies;€no€clothing,Š č„ Šbut€filthy€rags;€no€food,€but€empty€husks€Ō_Ō(Bostonššs€Fourfold€State.).Ō_Ō€O€miserable€condition,€for€theŠ Ōp Šsoul€to€be€hurried€unpardoned,€unpurified,€and€unprepared,€into€the€presence€of€a€righteous€and€allŠ Ą\ Šseeing€Judge!€€Ō_ŌŌ_ŌŌ_ŌŌ_Ōą@ģģ*ģąŌ_ŌˆŠ ¬H ŠŌ_Ōą  ąLet€what€has€been€said€be€applied€to€promote€self-examination€and€humility.Š ˜4 Šą  ąIf€such,€as€hath€just€been€described,€is€the€state€of€the€impenitent,€let€me€in€treat€you,€reader,Š „  Što€examine€whether€it€be€your€present€condition.Š p  ŠņņIf€we€say€we€have€no€sin,€we€deceive€ourselves,€and€the€truth€is€not€in€us.€óó1€John,€1:8.€And€believeŠ \ų Šme,€there€is€no€kind€of€deception,€into€which€you€are€so€likely€to€fall,€and€which€is€so€dangerous,€asŠ Hä Šself-deception.€When€you€are€warned€against€it,€do€not€imagine€the€caution€is€unnecessary.€A€wellŠ 4 Š Šknown€writer€has€justly€observed,€š šThat€it€is€as€easy€to€deceive€ourselves€without€perceiving€it,€asŠ  !¼ Šit€is€difficult€to€deceive€others€without€being€perceived.šš€Consider€what€Christ€says€to€the€church€atŠ  "Ø ŠLaodicea;€Because€thou€sayest,€I€am€rich,€and€increased€with€goods,€and€have€need€of€nothing;€andŠ ų"” Šknowest€not€that€thou€art€wretched,€and€miserable,€and€poor,€and€blind,€and€naked.€Revelation€3:17.Š ä#€  ŠDo€you€desire€to€know€how€it€is€that€men€deceive€themselves,€as€to€their€own€state?Š Š$l! Šą  ąThey€call€things€by€false€names,€and€dress€them€in€false€colours.Š ¼%X" Šą  ąSin,€though€in€itself€black€as€hell,€is€whitened€over€with€fine€words€and€fair€pleas.€The€mostŠ Ø&D # Šextravagant€and€mischievous€outrages€are€softly€termed€the€frolics€of€youth.€Vain€conversation,Š ”'0!$ Šbubbling€into€frothy€levity,€or€breaking€out€into€filthy€lewdness,€is€called€harmless€mirth.€AŠ €("% Šcompliance€with€idle€fashions€and€dangerous€amusements,€is€called€seeing€and€knowing€the€world.Š l)#& ŠDrinking,€gaming,€swearing,€and€Sabbath-breaking,€are€a€gay€life.€On€the€other€hand,€pious€men€areŠ X*ō#' Šnamed€sour€bigots,€or€sly€hypocrites.€Religion€is€termed€a€melancholy€thing;€and€a€strict€regard€toŠ D+ą$( Šit,€madness.€ņņWoe€unto€them€that€call€evil€good,€and€good€evil;€that€put€darkness€for€light,€and€lightŠ 0,Ģ%) Šfor€darkness;€that€put€bitter€for€sweet,€and€sweet€for€bitter!€óóIsaiah€5:20.€Beware€you€do€not€fall€underŠ d Šthis€woe.€Let€every€disguise€be€torn€way.€Be€willing€to€know€the€worst€of€yourself,€that€you€mayŠ Pģ Šavoid€delusion.€I€dare€say€you€do€not€wholly€deny€your€sin;€but€do€not€you€spare€it,€and€half€excuseŠ <Ų Šit?€Perhaps€your€confession€runs€in€such€language€as€this:€š šI€have€been€rather€thoughtless,€a€ņņlittle€óótooŠ ( Ä Šwild;€but€I€always€intended€to€reform.šš€Or€it€may€be,€you€compare€yourself€with€others,€and€beginŠ  ° Što€sound€the€phariseeššs€trumpet,€saying,€I€am€no€extortioner,€adulterer,€nor€drunkard:€I€have€neverŠ  œ Šgone€the€lengths€that€many€have€done:€I€do€no€one€any€harm;€€and€if€I€be€not€safe,€what€will€becomeŠ ģ ˆ Šof€thousands€?šš€Now,€be€persuaded€to€examine€yourself€by€the€light€of€Godššs€holy€law.€Do€not€talkŠ Ų t Šof€what€other€men€are,€but€of€what€you€ought€to€be.€Labour€to€gain€a€full€view€of€the€holiness€andŠ Ä ` Šmajesty€of€God;€and€then€you€will€clearly€perceive€the€infinite€evil€of€sin,€and€your€own€depravityŠ °L  Šas€a€sinner.€While€a€garment€is€kept€in€the€dark,€its€filthiness€is€not€seen;€but€bring€it€to€the€light,€andŠ œ8  Ševery€spot€becomes€visible.Š ˆ$  Šą  ąMany€are€deceived€as€to€their€own€state,€because€they€are€strangers€to€the€heart.Š t  Šą  ąIf€they€keep€free€from€gross€vices€and€shocking€crimes;€if€they€are€sober€in€their€appetites,Š `ü  Šand€honest€in€their€dealings;€if€they€behave€decently€towards€their€superiors,€and€attend€constantlyŠ Lč  Šon€public€worship;€they€think€themselves€very€good€characters.€They€are€whole,€and€need€not€aŠ 8Ō  Šphysician;€safe,€and€look€not€for€a€Saviour.€ņņThe€heart€is€deceitful€above€all€things€and€desperatelyŠ $Ą Šwicked,€who€can€know€it?€óóJeremiah€17:9.€Does€not€the€experience€of€every€day€confirm€these€wordsŠ ¬ Šof€the€prophet?€What€maze€has€such€windings,€what€cavern€has€such€dark€retreats?€what€whirlpoolŠ ü˜ Šhas€such€dangerous€deeps€and€violent€motions€as€the€human€heart?€It€is€bad€to€have€an€enemy€anyŠ č„ Šwhere;€it€is€worse€to€have€one€preparing€schemes€of€mischief€in€your€own€house:€but€it€is€the€worstŠ Ōp Šof€all,€to€have€a€secret€plotting,€and€active€working€foe,€within€your€own€bosom.€Though€you€mayŠ Ą\ Šnot€be€a€base€liar,€a€bold€blasphemer,€a€beastly€drunkard,€or€an€impious€scoffer;€if€the€heart€be€notŠ ¬H Šright€with€God,€all€must€be€wrong.€Now€look€within,€and€see.€Do€not€take€this€matter€upon€trust,€butŠ ˜4 Šupon€trial.€I€venture€to€declare,€you€will€find€every€dark€chamber€of€the€heart,€full€of€idols€andŠ „  Šabominations.€Take€the€word€of€God€as€your€light,€and€pray€for€the€Holy€Spirit€as€your€guide,€thatŠ p  Šyou€may€examine€those€regions€of€the€world€within,€to€which€you€have€been€a€stranger.€Look€intoŠ \ų Šthe€imagination,€and€see€what€swarms€of€vain€and€sinful€thoughts€are€there.€Look€into€theŠ Hä Šunderstanding,€and€see€what€errors,€prejudices,€and€delusions€are€there.€Look€into€the€conscience,Š 4 Š Šand€see€what€records€of€long€forgotten€sins,€which€must€soon€be€read€against€you,€are€preservedŠ  !¼ Šthere.€Look€into€the€affections,€and€see€what€storms€of€anger,€fumes€of€pride,€and€flames€of€lust€riseŠ  "Ø Šthere.€A€little€time€spent€in€close€self„examination€may€do€you€more€good€than€reading€a€thousandŠ ų"” Šbooks.€Sometimes€an€instance,€or€a€fact€drawn€from€life,€may€not€only€bring€with€it€great€evidence,Š ä#€  Šbut€also€fix€the€attention€and€fasten€on€the€memory.€š šA€few€years€ago,€two€pious€weavers€wereŠ Š$l! Šconversing€together,€and€complaining€of€the€trouble€which€they€found€from€vain€and€evil€thoughts,Š ¼%X" Šin€the€solemn€duties€of€religion.€Another€person€of€the€same€business€overheard€them,€and€rushingŠ Ø&D # Šforth€said,€I€always€thought€you€two€vile€hypocrites,€but€now€I€know€it€from€your€own€confession.Š ”'0!$ ŠFor€my€part,€I€never€had€any€such€vain€and€wicked€thoughts€in€my€life.€One€of€the€men€took€a€pieceŠ €("% Šof€money€out€of€his€pocket,€and€put€it€into€his€hand,€adding,€this€shall€be€yours,€if€after€you€comeŠ l)#& Šfrom€church€the€next€time,€you€can€say€you€had€not€one€vain€thought€there.€In€a€few€days€he€came,Š X*ō#' Šsaying,€here,€take€back€your€money,€for€I€had€not€been€five€minutes€in€the€church,€before€I€began€toŠ D+ą$( Šthink€how€many€looms€could€be€set€up€in€it.šš€It€is€for€want€of€watching;€over€the€heart€with€godlyŠ 0,Ģ%) Šjealousy,€that€so€many€are€insensible€of€their€sins.€We€see€myriads€of€motes€in€a€room€when€the€sunŠ d Šshines,€not€one€of€which€was€beheld€before.Š Pģ Šą  ąIf€such€as€hath€now€been€described,€is€our€condition,€what€cause€have€we€for€deepŠ <Ų Šhumiliation.Š ( Ä Šą  ąņņThus€saith€the€Lord,€I€planted€thee€a€noble€vine,€wholly€a€right€seed;€how€then€art€thouŠ  ° Šturned€into€the€degenerate€plant€of€a€strange€vine€unto€me?€óóJeremiah€2:21.€Lord,€what€is€man!€whereŠ  œ Šshall€we€find€the€fruits€of€righteousness€in€their€season?€Where€now€are€holy€love,€cheerfulŠ ģ ˆ Šresignation,€and€perfect€obedience?€Ah!€it€is€mercy€that€has€spared,€year€after€year,€the€cumberer€ofŠ Ų t Šthe€ground,€for€justice€might€have€cut€it€down,€and€cast€it€into€the€fire.€ą  ą€Š Ä ` Šą  ąGod€made€man€upright;€but€they€have€sought€out€many€inventions.€Where€is€the€image€ofŠ °L  ŠGod,€which€consisted€in€knowledge€and€true€holiness?€Where€is€the€glory€which€adorned€the€soulŠ œ8  Šas€it€came€out€of€the€hands€of€its€Maker?€Lord,€what€is€man!€How€is€the€gold€become€dim!€how€isŠ ˆ$  Šthe€most€fine€gold€changed!€in€place€of€the€divine€image,€are€seen€the€black€marks€of€iniquity.Š t  Šą  ąCould€you€enter€a€temple€in€ruins,€without€melancholy€thoughts?€Would€you€not€say,€howŠ `ü  Šare€beauty€and€grandeur€turned€into€desolation?€The€lamps€are€extinguished;€the€altar€is€overturned;Š Lč  Šņņthe€glory€óóis€departed!€And€was€not€man€made€to€be€a€temple€for€God?€At€first,€the€light€of€truthŠ 8Ō  Šshone€in€his€understanding,€the€language€of€praise€flowed€from€his€lips.€ņņLord,€what€is€man!€óóHow€isŠ $Ą Šthis€temple€become€a€den€of€thieves!€Where€now€is€Paradise,€with€its€blooming€beauties,€and€sacredŠ ¬ Šsweets?€Speak€to€the€earth,€and€it€shall€teach€thee€a€lesson€of€humility.€Where€canst€thou€turn€thineŠ ü˜ Šeye,€or€set€thy€foot,€without€finding€proofs€of€thy€depravity?€ņņCursed€is€the€ground€for€thy€sake!Š č„ Šthorns€and€thistles€shall€it€bring€forth€unto€thee.€óóGen.€iii.€18.€What€are€the€pains€which€pierce€theŠ Ōp Šbody,€but€the€poisoned€darts€of€sin€f€What€are€all€the€terrors€of€death,€but€the€fruits€of€sin?€SinŠ Ą\ Šopened€the€sluices€of€divine€wrath,€and€led€into€the€world€those€floods€of€misery,€which€have€spreadŠ ¬H Štheir€bitter€waters€over€every€land!.€Well,€then,€may€we€humble€ourselves€under€the€mighty€hand€ofŠ ˜4 ŠGod,€and€cry,€Lord,€what€is€man,€that€thou€art€mindful€of€him,€or€the€son€of€man,€that€thou€visitestŠ „  Šhim?€Š p  ŠĢßA€^ ) °°` dE<G` Aßą@ģģ*ģąˆŠ Hä ŠĢÓ  ÓCHAPTER€II.Š C ß ŠĢņņOn€the€Nature€of€Repentance.€óóŠ "· ŠÓGµÓĢą  ąIn€the€last€chapter,€I€proved€that€all€are€by€nature,€in€a€state€of€spiritual€darkness€and€distanceŠ ó#! Šfrom€God,€defiled€with€sin€and€exposed€to€future€punishment.€It€is€no€easy€matter€to€believe€aŠ ß${" Šdoctrine,€so€grating€to€all€the€feelings€which€self-love€fondly€cherishes.€Yet€this€is€necessary,€as€aŠ Ė%g# Šfirst€step€in€religion;€and€without€it,€we€stumble€at€the€threshold.€Having€opened€the€way,€I€shall€nowŠ ·&S $ Šproceed€to€shew€the€nature€of€repentance.€It€is€of€the€highest€importance€that€we€should€have€rightŠ £'?!% Šsentiments€on€this€subject.€There€are€few€persons€but€sometimes€hear€or€speak€of€repentance.€TheŠ (+"& Švilest€reprobates€will€in€their€more€sober€moments€own€the€need€of€repentance.€While€men€are€in€theŠ {)#' Švery€act€of€sinning€against€God,€the€mind€is€now€and€then€struck€with€a€thought€of€repentance.€ButŠ g*$( Šwe€have€reason€to€fear,€there€are€not€many€who€have€just€ideas€of€what€the€scriptures€mean€by€thisŠ S+ļ$) Šterm.€Some€take€the€name€for€the€thing,€the€shadow€for€the€substance.€Others€think€of€nothing€moreŠ ?,Ū%* Šthan€a€slight€reformation.€If€the€wound€be€skinned€over,€they€conclude€it€is€healed.€If€the€wild€beastŠ d Šbe€chained,€they€are€not€concerned€that€it€should€be€tamed.€What€numbers€are€there,€who€vainlyŠ Pģ Šimagine€they€have€a€power€to€produce€the€change€required€by€themselves!€Strangers€to€the€corruptionŠ <Ų Šof€the€heart,€and€the€strength€of€evil€habits,€they€suppose€they€can€forsake€vice€and€become€virtuousŠ ( Ä Šwhen€they€please,€and€ņņleap€out€of€Delilahššs€lap€into€Abrahamššs€bosom.€óóSin€first€deceives,€nextŠ  ° Šstupefies,€and€at€last€destroys.€While€men€entertain€such€loose,€erroneous€notions,€trusting€to€theirŠ  œ Šown€power,€and€despising€or€neglecting€the€grace€of€God,€it€may€be€truly€said,€they€put€theirŠ ģ ˆ Šrepentance€in€the€place€of€Christ.€It€is€necessary€therefore€that€we€should€carefully€guard€againstŠ Ų t Ševery€thing€which€leads€to€such€delusions.Š Ä ` Šą  ąI€shall€endeavour€to€shew€the€nature€of€true€repentance.Š °L  Šą  ąThat€repentance€which€issues€in€life€eternal,€is€a€change€of€mind,€contrition€of€heart,€and€deepŠ œ8  Šself-abhorrence.Š ˆ$  Šą  ąA€change€of€mind.Š t  Šą  ąWhile€a€sinner€is€in€a€carnal€state,€his€views€and€sentiments,€his€hopes€and€fears,€his€aims€andŠ `ü  Šmotives,€are€directly€contrary€to€what€they€ought€to€be.€He€scorns€substantial€blessings,€and€catchesŠ Lč  Šat€shadows.€He€refuses€the€heavenly€manna,€and€according€to€the€language€of€the€prophet,€feeds€uponŠ 8Ō  Šashes.€He€rejects€the€pearl€of€great€price,€and€rakes€up€despicable€rubbish.€The€things€of€the€spiritŠ $Ą Šof€God,€in€which€alone€there€is€true€wisdom,€appear€foolishness€to€him.€As€his€imagination€gildsŠ ¬ Ševery€thing€with€false€colours,€he€is€pleased€where€he€should€be€disgusted,€and€disgusted€where€heŠ ü˜ Šought€to€be€pleased.€He€is€like€a€hungry€man€that€dreameth,€and€behold€he€eateth,€but€he€awaketh€andŠ č„ Šhis€soul€is€empty;€or€a€thirsty€man€that€dreameth,€and€behold€he€drinketh,€but€he€awaketh€and€he€isŠ Ōp Šfaint€Isaiah€29:8.Š Ą\ Šą  ąBut€in€repentance,€a€happy€change€takes€place.€He€who€is€brought€under€the€saving€influenceŠ ¬H Šof€divine€grace,€is€renewed€in€the€spirit€of€his€mind.€The€eyes€of€his€understanding€are€enlightened,Š ˜4 Što€see€the€vanity€of€the€world,€the€evil€of€sin,€and€the€value€of€eternal€possessions.€Whatever€relatesŠ „  Što€God,€to€Christ,€and€to€the€immortal€soul,€now€appears€in€a€new€light.€Š p  Šą  ąThe€sincere€penitent€has€right€views€of€God.€Once€he€did€not€like€to€retain€God€in€hisŠ \ų Šknowledge.€He€had€a€revolting€and€a€rebellious€heart.€The€law€of€God,€requiring€perfect€obedience,Š Hä Šwas€thought€too€strict.€The€justice€of€God,€preparing;€a€cup€of€indignation€for€the€wicked,€wasŠ 4 Š Šthought€too€severe.€The€worship€of€God€was€felt€to€be€a€weariness€and€an€intolerable€burden.Š  !¼ Šą  ąWhile€such€was€the€frame€of€the€sinnerššs€mind,€no€wonder€he€should€turn€away€from€religionŠ  "Ø Šwith€hatred€and€scorn.€Job€describes€the€wicked€in€prosperity,€in€the€following€remarkable€language;Š ų"” ŠņņTherefore€they€say€unto€God,€depart€from€us;€for€we€desire€not€the€knowledge€of€thy€ways.€What€isŠ ä#€  Šthe€Almighty,€that€we€should€serve€him?€and€what€profit€should€we€have€if€we€pray€unto€him?€óóJobŠ Š$l! Š21:14„15.€One€of€this€character€hates€the€light,€because€his€deeds€are€evil.€But€he€who€has€undergoneŠ ¼%X" Ša€thorough€change,€has€new€thoughts€of€God.€He€sees€that€he€is€supremely€great,€and€infinitelyŠ Ø&D # Šgracious,€worthy€of€the€highest€love€and€reverence,€from€every€creature€in€earth€and€heaven.€He€isŠ ”'0!$ Šconvinced,€that€the€law€is€holy,€just,€and€good,€and€when€it€condemns€himself,€goes€not€a€jot€too€far.Š €("% ŠHe€is€ready€to€own,€that€if€he€had€been€compelled€to€drink€the€cup€of€wrath,€and€wring€out€itsŠ l)#& Šbitterest€dregs,€he€should€not€have€had€a€drop€more€than€he€deserved.€In€short,€he€perceives€that€GodŠ X*ō#' Šis€a€rock,€his€work€is€perfect,€his€word€is€pure,€and€all€his€ways€are€wonderful,€and€past€finding€out.Š D+ą$( ŠAnd€is€it€not€evident,€that€the€more€the€holiness€and€goodness€of€the€Lord€are€seen,€the€blacker€andŠ 0,Ģ%) Šviler€sin€will€appear?€€š šThe€carnal€man,šš€as€a€good€writer€observes,€š šis€apt€to€think€God€ought€toŠ d Šrepent€of€making€such€hard€laws,€rather€than€that€he€himself€should€repent€of€breaking€them.šš€InsteadŠ Pģ Šof€changing€his€course,€and€turning€out€of€the€broad€into€the€narrow€way,€he€acts€as€if€God€wouldŠ <Ų Šchange€his€councils,€and€give€blessings€where€he€has€threatened€curses.€Now€every€true€penitent€hasŠ ( Ä Šquite€different€views.€He€honours€God,€and€abases€himself€in€the€dust.€Far€from€fretting€andŠ  ° Šmurmuring€against€the€Lord,€he€stands€amazed€at€his€long€suffering.Š  œ Šą  ąA€sincere€penitent€has€right€views,€and€new€thoughts€of€Christ.Š ģ ˆ Šą  ąOnce€Jesus€appeared€to€him€as€a€root€out€of€dry€ground,€having€no€form€or€comeliness,€toŠ Ų t Šmake€him€desired.€But€now€his€divine€excellency€and€glory€are€discerned€and€acknowledged.€HeŠ Ä ` Šbows€himself€at€the€feet€of€Jesus,€and€looks€to€him€as€the€great€Shepherd,€Surety,€Saviour,€andŠ °L  ŠRedeemer€of€his€people.€He€beholds€the€brightness€of€the€Fatherššs€glory,€the€express€image€of€hisŠ œ8  Šperson,€and€the€fulness€of€the€Godhead€in€Christ.€He€sees€all€the€promises€and€provisions€of€theŠ ˆ$  Šgospel,€as€well€as€the€keys€of€death€and€of€hell€in€the€mighty€and€faithful€hands€of€Christ.€WhatŠ t  Šwords€can€truly€set€forth€the€astonishing€condescension€and€kindness€of€the€Saviour?€€š šIfšš,€saidŠ `ü  ŠAustin,€š šthe€whole€sea€were€ink,€and€every€blade€of€grass€a€pen,€we€could€not€fully€describe€the€loveŠ Lč  Šof€Christ.šš€It€is€impossible€to€have€clear€views,€or€spiritual€discoveries€of€the€adorable€Redeemer,Š 8Ō  Šand€not€be€in€a€considerable€degree€affected€by€them.€ņņņ ņMr.€Flavel€calls€repentance€the€tear€thatŠ $Ą Šdrops€from€the€eye€of€faith,€while€looking€to€Jesus.€ó óóóWho€can€behold€the€Son€of€God€coming€in€theŠ ¬ Šflesh,€laying€down€his€life€as€a€sacrifice,€and€conquering€death€and€the€powers€of€darkness€for€us,Š ü˜ Šwithout€feeling€a€glow€of€love€to€him?€ņņTo€them€that€believe,€he€is€precious.€óóŠ č„ Šą  ąThe€sincere€penitent€has€new€thoughts€of€his€own€soul.Š Ōp Šą  ąOnce€the€body€engaged€all€his€care.€That€it€might€be€adorned€and€admired,€pleased€andŠ Ą\ Špampered,€he€spared€no€pains€or€costs.€ņņWhat€shall€I€eat,€what€shall€1€drink,€and€wherewith€shall€1Š ¬H Šbe€clothed,€óóif€not€the€cry€of€his€lips,€was€the€language€of€his€heart.€But€now€being€enlightened€fromŠ ˜4 Šabove,€he€beholds€the€unspeakable€worth€of€the€immortal€soul,€and€his€chief€concern€is€its€salvation.Š „  ŠO,€says€he,€I€have€played€the€fool,€and€erred€exceedingly€in€providing€for€the€flesh,€and€neglectingŠ p  Šthe€better€part€š"š€the€never€dying€spirit!€How€shall€I€be€delivered€from€the€wrath€to€come?€ņņWhat€shallŠ \ų ŠI€do€to€be€saved?€óóIf€my€house€were€burnt€down,€I€might€get€another;€if€my€Friends€were€cut€off,€IŠ Hä Šmight€procure€new€ones;€if€my€health€were€destroyed,€it€might€be€restored;€but€if€my€soul€be€lost,€itŠ 4 Š Šcan€never€be€recovered,€and€shall€be€utterly€undone.€Such€are€the€views€of€a€true€penitent!Š  !¼ Šą  ąAnd€let€me€ask,€are€your€thoughts€of€God,€of€Christ,€and€of€your€own€soul,€very€differentŠ  "Ø Šfrom€what€they€once€were?€Without€such€a€change€of€mind,€there€cannot€be€genuine€repentance.€ņņIfŠ ų"” Šany€man€be€in€Christ,€he€is€a€new€creature:€old€things€are€passed€away:€behold€all€things€areŠ ä#€  Šbecome€new.€óó2€Corinthians€5:17.€I€do€not€say€that€repentance€is€always€produced€by€the€same€means,Š Š$l! Šor€in€the€same€manner.€In€one€instance,€the€mind€is€changed,€as€a€river€gradually€drawn€into€a€freshŠ ¼%X" Šchannel;€and€in€another,€as€a€river€turned€into€a€new€course,€by€the€shock€of€an€earthquake.€Such€wasŠ Ø&D # Šthe€difference€between€the€conversion€of€Saul€of€Tarsus,€and€that€of€Lydia.Š ”'0!$ Šą  ąRepentance€is€contrition€of€heart.Š €("% Šą  ąThe€prophets€of€old€called€the€Jews€a€stiffnecked,€stout-hearted,€and€rebellious€people.€HowŠ l)#& Šmany€in€the€present€day€answer€to€this€description!€Though€we€warn€them,€admonish€them,€intreatŠ X*ō#' Šthem,€and€thunder€aloud€in€their€ears€the€threatenings€of€the€law;€though€we€shew€them€the€nearnessŠ D+ą$( Šof€death,€the€certainty€and€solemnity€of€the€last€judgment,€the€transporting€happiness€of€heaven,€andŠ 0,Ģ%) Šthe€endless,€unutterable€misery€of€hellš"šthey€remain€unaffected€and€unconcerned!€They€sleep€likeŠ d ŠJonah!€while€the€tempest,€which€their€own€sins€have€raised,€threatens€them€with€instant€destruction.Š Pģ ŠHow€awful€is€it€to€see€this€daring€presumptionš"šthis€unfeeling€stupidity,€continued€to€the€last€hourŠ <Ų Šof€life!šš€There€are€some€persons,šš€says€Mr.€Simpson,€š šso€hardened€in€sin,€and€so€totally€given€up€ofŠ ( Ä ŠGod,€that€neither€sickness€nor€death€can€make€any€impression€on€them.šš€He€mentions€one€of€thisŠ  ° Šunhappy€description€in€Essex,€not€far€from€the€place€where€I€now€write;€whom€he€both€visited€duringŠ  œ Šhis€illness,€and€interred€after€he€was€dead.€He€was€of€a€good€family,€and€possessed€good€abilities;Š ģ ˆ Šbut€wasted€all€his€property€and€ruined€his€constitution,€in€a€course€of€riot€and€excess.€Among€hisŠ Ų t Šbottle€companions,€he€made€a€jest€of€hell,€and€turned€every€thing€sacred€into€ridicule.€In€this€way€heŠ Ä ` Šlived,€and€died€a€martyr€to€spirituous€liquors;€cursing€and€blaspheming€to€the€last,€notwithstandingŠ °L  Šall€that€could€be€done€to€bring€him€to€a€better€mind€(Simpsonššs€Plea€for€Religion,€p.€256).€O€theŠ œ8  Šblinding€and€hardening€nature€of€sin!€€Š ˆ$  Šą  ąWhat€poison€is€so€subtle,€so€dangerous,€so€deadly?€How€does€it€brutalize€and€ruin€the€soul!Š t  ŠHow€does€it€warp€the€judgment,€pervert€the€will,€and€stupify€the€heart!Š `ü  Šą  ąIf€you€work€all€uncleanness€with€greediness,€you€will€in€a€short€time€be€past€feeling.€ReproofsŠ Lč  Šwill€have€no€edge€to€wound;€warnings,€no€weight€to€move€you.€And€is€there€any€thing€on€earth€moreŠ 8Ō  Što€be€dreaded€than€such€a€state?€There€is€truth€in€the€saying€of€a€good€author,€š šIt€is€better€to€have€aŠ $Ą Šburdened€conscience€than€a€benumbed€conscience:€you€had€better€be€over„fearful,€than€have€no€fearŠ ¬ Šof€God€before€your€eyes.šš€The€words€of€the€apostle€to€the€Hebrews€are€never€out€of€season:€ExhortŠ ü˜ Šone€another€daily,€while€it€is€called€to-day;€lest€any€of€you€be€hardened€through€the€deceitfulness€ofŠ č„ Šsin.€Hebrews€3:13.Š Ōp Šą  ąNow,€true€repentance€is€a€state€of€mind,€directly€opposite€to€that€which€I€have€just€described.Š Ą\ ŠIt€is€in€the€scriptures€called€ņņa€broken€heart,€or€a€contrite€spirit.óó€Psalm€51:17.€ņņThe€sacrifices€of€GodŠ ¬H Šare€a€broken€spirit;€a€broken€and€a€contrite€heart,€O€God,€thou€wilt€not€despise.€óóMen,€as€oneŠ ˜4 Šobserves,€despise€broken€things;€but€God€does€not€despise€a€broken€heart;€so€far€from€it,€that€heŠ „  Šaccounts€the€sorrow€of€a€penitent€sinner€more€valuable€than€the€most€costly€sacrifice.€When€the€wordŠ p  Šof€God€is€applied€by€the€power€of€divine€grace,€the€flinty€heart€melts€into€tender€grief,€and€the€eyesŠ \ų Šoverflow€with€floods€of€tears.€What€anxious€thoughts!€what€strong€and€cutting€convictions€are€nowŠ Hä Šfelt!€When€the€fountains€of€the€great€deep€are€broken€up€within,€what€agonies€wring€the€soul!€O,€saysŠ 4 Š Šthe€sinner,€I€have€rebelled€against€that€God€whom€angels€adore!€I€have€broken€his€laws,€defied€hisŠ  !¼ Šjudgments,€and€despised€his€mercies.€I€have€neglected€the€great€salvation,€and€ungratefully€slightedŠ  "Ø Šthat€compassionate€and€glorious€Redeemer,€who€gave€his€life€a€ransom€for€me!€I€have€turned€a€deafŠ ų"” Šear€to€the€joyful€sound€of€the€gospel,€and€done€despite€unto€the€Spirit€of€grace!€Such€thoughts€asŠ ä#€  Šthese€are€the€arrows€of€the€Almighty,€which€pierce€the€heart€with€the€keenest€anguish,€and€makeŠ Š$l! Šthose€deep€wounds,€which€nothing€but€the€balm€of€Gilead€can€heal.€What€is€pain€of€body,€comparedŠ ¼%X" Šwith€distress€of€mind?€The€spirit€of€a€man€will€sustain€his€infirmity,€hut€a€wounded€spirit€who€canŠ Ø&D # Šbear?€Yet€we€may€truly€say,€he€who€thus€sincerely€mourns€over€his€sins,€shall€not€eternally€sinkŠ ”'0!$ Šunder€them.Š €("% Šą  ąBehold€David,€that€broken€hearted€penitent!€How€deeply€he€laments€his€sin.€How€fully€andŠ l)#& Šfeelingly€he€confesses€it.€How€humbly€and€earnestly€he€prays€for€pardoning€and€renewing€grace.Š X*ō#' ŠPsalm€51:3„€4.€ņņFor€I€acknowledge€my€transgression,€and€my€sin€is€ever€before€me.€Against€thee,€theeŠ D+ą$( Šonly€have€I€sinned,€and€done€this€evil€in€thy€sight.€Purge€me€with€hyssop,€and€I€shall€be€clean;€washŠ 0,Ģ%) Šme,€and€I€shall€be€whiter€than€snow.€Make€me€to€hear€joy€and€gladness;€that€the€bones€which€thouŠ d Šhast€broken€may€rejoice.€óóHe€did€not€cast€a€hasty€glance€at€sin,€and€soon€forget€it€again.€No,€whereverŠ Pģ Šhe€went,€it€seemed€to€haunt€him€as€a€frightful€monster.€It€was€not€the€injury€done€to€men,€so€muchŠ <Ų Šas€the€offensiveness€of€his€crimes€to€God,€that€filled€him€with€bitterness.€There€are€few,€who€do€notŠ ( Ä Šsometimes€feel€a€pang€of€remorse,€but€the€contrition€of€Davidššs€heart€is€compared€to€the€anguish€ofŠ  ° Šbroken€bones.Š  œ Šą  ąBehold€the€penitent€publican,€mentioned€Luke€18:13.€Pressed€beneath€the€load€of€his€guilt,Š ģ ˆ Šhe€goes€to€the€temple€to€pray.€ņņBut€he€stood€afar€off,€and€would€not€so€much€as€lift€up€his€eyes€toŠ Ų t Šheaven,€but€smote€upon€his€breast,€crying,€God,€be€merciful€to€me,€a€sinner!€óóHis€distance,€andŠ Ä ` Šhumble€posture,€betoken€the€sense€he€felt€of€his€own€unworthiness,€conscious€that€he€might€haveŠ °L  Šbeen,€in€justice,€everlastingly€banished€from€the€holy€temple,€and€all€the€means€of€grace.€His€smitingŠ œ8  Šupon€his€heart,€silently,€but€expressively€said,€here€lies€my€guilt,€my€greatest€burden;€here€are€deepŠ ˆ$  Šfixed€the€barbed€and€bitter€arrows€of€remorse.€His€short,€but€solemn€and€fervent€prayer,€flew€up€toŠ t  Šheaven,€and€speedily€brought€down€pardon,€so€that€he€went€down€to€his€house€justified.€Do€not€thinkŠ `ü  Šhis€case€was€a€singular€one.€While€you€remain€on€earth,€you€will€need€daily€to€put€up€the€sameŠ Lč  Špetition€to€God.€That€excellent€man,€Archbishop€Usher,€often€said,€he€hoped€to€die€with€the€languageŠ 8Ō  Šof€the€publican€in€his€mouth,€and€he€who€wrote€his€life,€tells€us,€his€wish€was€fulfilled;€he€diedŠ $Ą Šsaying,€God€be€merciful€to€me,€a€sinner.Š ¬ Šą  ąBehold€the€penitent€prostitute,€Luke€7:37.€She€goes€uncalled€into€the€house€of€Simon€theŠ ü˜ Špharisee,€to€carry€her€broken€heart,€and€her€box€of€ointment€to€Jesus.€Had€she€continued€in€her€oldŠ č„ Šcourse€of€sin,€instead€of€seeking€Christ,€she€would€have€shunned€him,€saying€with€the€devils,€art€thouŠ Ōp Šcome€to€torment€me?€But€now,€as€Bishop€Hall€observes,€š šthose€eyes€which€had€been€fires€of€lusts,Š Ą\ Šare€become€fountains€of€tears;€and€those€hairs€which€had€been€nets€to€catch€her€wanton€lovers,€areŠ ¬H Šmade€a€towel€to€wipe€her€Redeemerššs€feet.šš€And€though€Simon€murmured,€the€meek€and€mercifulŠ ˜4 ŠSaviour€said,€her€sins,€which€are€many,€are€forgiven€her.€In€the€last€two€instances,€humility€andŠ „  Špenitence€are€set€in€a€more€striking€light,€by€being€opposed€to€the€disgusting€pride,€presumption,€andŠ p  Šuncharitableness€of€the€self-righteous€pharisees.Š \ų Šą  ąI€might€easily€produce€many€more€examples,€but€I€shall€only€mention€one.€Hear€theŠ Hä Šconfession€of€that€well€known€penitent,€the€Earl€of€Rochester,€who€had€been€a€worthless€profligate.Š 4 Š ŠOn€his€death-bed,€he€cried€out,€š š€O€blessed€God,€can€such€a€horrid€creature€as€I€am€be€accepted€byŠ  !¼ Šthee,€who€have€denied€thy€being,€and€contemned€thy€power?€Can€there€be€mercy€and€pardon€for€me?Š  "Ø ŠWill€God€own€such€a€wretch€as€I?€In€the€midst€of€his€sickness,€he€said€still€farther;€shall€theŠ ų"” Šunspeakable€joys€of€heaven€be€conferred€upon€me?€O,€mighty€Saviour,€never€but€through€thineŠ ä#€  Šinfinite€love€and€satisfaction!€O,€never,€but€by€the€purchase€of€thy€blood!€adding,€that€with€allŠ Š$l! Šabhorrence€he€reflected€upon€his€former€life,€that€from€his€heart€he€repented€of€all€that€folly€andŠ ¼%X" Šmadness,€of€which€he€had€been€guilty.ššŠ Ø&D # Šą  ąAnd€now,€reader,€ask€yourself€as€in€the€sight€of€God,€whether€you€know€any€thing€of€thisŠ ”'0!$ Šgodly€sorrow.€Has€your€heart€been€touched€and€dissolved€by€the€goodness€of€God?€Have€you,€likeŠ €("% ŠDavid,€cast€your€soul€at€the€footstool€of€Jehovah?€Have€you€smitten€your€guilty€bosom€like€theŠ l)#& Špublican?€Have€you€sighed€and€wept€over€your€transgression,€and€prayed€as€in€an€agony€for€pardonŠ X*ō#' Šand€peace?€Be€assured,€repentance€is€no€such€light€thing€as€many€have€supposed.€The€bars€ofŠ D+ą$( Šunbelief€and€prejudice€must€be€broken,€and€the€heart€of€stone€turned€into€a€heart€of€flesh.€Think€notŠ 0,Ģ%) Ša€few€words€of€confession,€or€drops€of€grief,€are€all€that€is€required.€The€conscience€once€softened,Š d Šmust€never€lose€its€tenderness.€ņņņ ņTill€we€cease€from€sinning,€the€stream€of€repentance€must€not€ceaseŠ Pģ Šfrom€flowing.€ó óóóš šTears,šš€said€Bishop€Hopkins,€š šare€the€inheritance€of€our€eyes,€either€our€sufferingsŠ <Ų Šcall€for€them,€or€our€sins;€and€nothing€can€wholly€dry€them€up€but€the€dust€of€the€grave.ššŠ ( Ä Šą  ąRepentance€is€deep€self-abhorrence.Š  ° Šą  ąWhen€the€covetous€and€wretched€Achan,€who€was€a€troubler€of€Israel,€was€drawn€by€Lot,Š  œ ŠJoshua€said€to€him,€ņņMy€son,€give,€I€pray€thee,€glory€to€the€Lord€God€of€Israel,€and€make€confessionŠ ģ ˆ Što€him;€and€tell€me€now€what€thou€hast€done;€hide€it€not€from€me.€óóJoshua€7:19.€It€is€no€easy€matterŠ Ų t Što€bring€down€the€proud€looks€and€high€thoughts€of€vain€man.€Very€few€are€willing€to€give€glory€toŠ Ä ` ŠGod,€and€take€shame€to€themselves.€No€sooner,€however,€does€a€man€come€to€his€right€mind,€thanŠ °L  Šhis€self-flattering€notions€vanish.€Instead€of€boasting,€he€lays€his€hand€upon€his€mouth,€and€bows€hisŠ œ8  Šsoul€to€the€dust,€before€the€most€high€God.€While€he€views€his€sins,€he€is€abased€and€confounded,Š ˆ$  Šwith€a€consideration€of€their€number,€their€greatness,€and€their€fruits.Š t  Šą  ąThe€penitent€is€abased€and€confounded€with€a€view€of€the€number€of€his€sins.Š `ü  Šą  ąHe€looks€back,€and€sees€what€negligence,€ingratitude,€and€rebellion€have€run€through€theŠ Lč  Šyears€of€past€life.€He€looks€within,€and€sees€legions€of€vain€thoughts,€thick€as€motes€in€the€sun,€andŠ 8Ō  Šshoals€of€hateful€lusts€and€vicious€passions,€working€as€in€a€troubled€sea.€He€finds€he€has€beenŠ $Ą Šadding€folly€to€folly,€and€sin€to€sin,€till€his€guilt€rises€as€a€mountain,€and€shuts€out€the€prospect€ofŠ ¬ Šheaven.€He€owns€that€the€corruption€of€his€nature€has€been€pouring€forth,€without€ceasing,€streamsŠ ü˜ Šof€actual€transgression€and€abomination,€from€the€beginning€of€life€to€the€present€moment.€HowŠ č„ Šsincerely€then€can€he€adopt€the€words€of€the€Psalmist,€ņņMy€iniquities€have€taken€hold€upon€me,€so€thatŠ Ōp ŠI€am€not€able€to€look€up;€they€are€more€than€the€hairs€of€my€head;€therefore€my€heart€faileth€me.Š Ą\ ŠóóPsalm€40:12.Š ¬H Šą  ąDo€you€exclaim,€it€is€not€so€with€me?€Perhaps€you€fix€your€thoughts€on€two€or€three€glaringŠ ˜4 Šcrimes,€and€overlooking€the€rest,€think€your€sins€are€but€few.€To€remove€your€error,€let€me€desire€youŠ „  Što€consider,€for€a€moment,€the€sins€of€the€tongue€only.€Even€in€this€little€member€you€will€find€aŠ p  Šworld€of€iniquity.€Not€only€for€every€oath,€and€every€lie,€but€also€for€every€idle€word,€men€must€giveŠ \ų Šan€account€to€God.€And€š š€if,šš€as€the€pious€Bishop€Beveridge€observes,šš€all€our€vain€and€idle€wordsŠ Hä Šhad€been€written,€how€many€vast€volumes€would€they€make!šš€Who€then€can€number€the€millionsŠ 4 Š Šand€millions€of€his€sins,€in€thought,€speech,€and€conduct?€It€is€well€for€us,€that€the€free€gift€is€of€manyŠ  !¼ Šoffences€unto€justification€of€life.€However€great€the€sum€of€our€transgressions,€the€multitude€ofŠ  "Ø ŠGodššs€mercies€is€still€greater.€Though€the€catalogue€of€our€sins€were€long€enough€to€reach€from€earthŠ ų"” Što€heaven,€the€ample€roll€of€new€covenant€blessings€would€stretch€beyond€it.€ņņWhere€sin€abounded,Š ä#€  Šgrace€does€much€more€abound.€óóŠ Š$l! Šą  ąThe€penitent€is€abased€and€confounded€with€a€view€of€the€greatness€of€his€sins.Š ¼%X" Šą  ąWe€must€not€be€guided€by€the€loose€prevailing€opinions€of€the€world.€The€worst€men€haveŠ Ø&D # Šgenerally€the€least€sense€of€the€heinousness€or€evil€of€sin.€If€the€prisoner,€who€is€tried€for€his€crimes,Š ”'0!$ Šwere€to€fix€the€measure€of€his€guilt,€rather€than€the€Judge€set€to€enforce€the€laws,€who€would€beŠ €("% Šcondemned€or€punished?€Now€let€it€be€remembered,€every€sin€is€blame-worthy,€just€in€the€degreeŠ l)#& Šthat€it€opposes€the€truth,€holiness,€and€goodness€of€God.€Suppose€you€saw€a€man€go€to€a€just€andŠ X*ō#' Šamiable€prince,€and€begin€to€revile€him€in€abusive€language,€spit€in€his€face€out€of€contempt,€andŠ D+ą$( Šstrike€him€with€malice,€would€you€not€reckon€such€conduct€highly€blameable?€Bat€should€you€beŠ 0,Ģ%) Štold,€that€the€same€person€had€received€from€the€prince,€whom€he€so€reviled€and€injured,€a€thousandŠ d Šfavours,€would€you€not€think€him€a€monster€of€ingratitude€and€wickedness?€And€let€it€be€considered,Š Pģ Šthat€God€is€the€glorious€King€of€kings,€your€Creator€and€Preserver,€who€has€all€your€life€loaded€youŠ <Ų Šwith€benefits.€Every€wicked€deed,€every€profane€word,€and€every€vile€thought,€casts€contempt€uponŠ ( Ä Šthe€Majesty€of€heaven.€The€bold€transgressor€is€up€in€arms€of€rebellion€against€God,€and€isŠ  ° Šcontinually€either€striking€at€his€authority,€or€trampling€on€his€goodness.€Who€then€can€describe€theŠ  œ Šhorrid€nature€and€heinous€evil€of€sin?€The€infinitely€holy€and€glorious€Jehovah€himself€says,€ņņO€doŠ ģ ˆ Šnot€that€abominable€thing€which€my€soul€hateth!€óóHe€has€given€us€his€law,€ņņthat€sin,€by€theŠ Ų t Šcommandment€might€appear€exceeding€sinful.€óóRomans€7:13.Š Ä ` Šą  ąWhen€a€true€penitent€has€a€full€view€of€the€evil€and€odiousness€of€sin,€he€cannot€but€heŠ °L  Šabased€before€God.€He€takes€up€as€his€own,€the€words€of€Job,€ņņLo€!€I€abhor€myself,€and€repent€in€dustŠ œ8  Šand€ashes.€óóHe€can€heartily€join€with€Ezra€and€say,€ņņO€my€God,€I€am€ashamed€and€blush€to€lift€up€myŠ ˆ$  Šface€to€thee,€my€God€;€for€our€iniquities€are€increased€over€our€heads,€and€our€trespass€is€grown€upŠ t  Što€the€heavens.€óóEzra€9:6.€When€I€look€at€thy€mercies,€I€am€confounded€and€covered€with€shame.Š `ü  ŠWhat€tender€calls€and€solemn€admonitions€have€I€neglected!€What€early€and€abundant€advantagesŠ Lč  Šhave€I€lost!€What€precious€privileges€and€opportunities€have€I€despised!€If€I€look€to€the€beasts,€theyŠ 8Ō  Šreproach€me,€and€cover€me€with€shame€and€confusion.ņņ€óóEven€the€dull€ox€knoweth€his€owner,€and€theŠ $Ą Šstupid€ass€his€masterššs€crib;€but€I€have€not€known€God,€nor€gratefully€considered€his€manifoldŠ ¬ Šfavours.€Isaiah€1:3.€Surely€my€sin€is€written€as€with€a€pen€of€iron,€or€the€point€of€a€diamond,€andŠ ü˜ Šnothing€but€the€blood€of€Christ€can€blot€it€put.Š č„ Šą  ąThe€penitent€is€abased€and€confounded€with€a€view€of€the€fruits€and€effects€of€his€sins.Š Ōp Šą  ąGod€declares,€that€the€wicked€shall€eat€the€fruit€of€his€own€doings.€Now€as€there€is€bitternessŠ Ą\ Šin€every€drop€of€gall,€and€in€every€branch€of€wormwood,€so€there€is€misery€in€every€sin.€The€manŠ ¬H Šwho€is€brought€to€true€repentance,€will€freely€acknowledge€this.€Ask€him,€ņņWhat€fruit€have€you€inŠ ˜4 Šthose€things€whereof€you€are€now€ashamed?€óóHe€replies,€bitter€fruit€indeed!€I€dishonoured€andŠ „  Šoffended€my€God,€wronged€and€ruined€my€own€soul,€encouraged€and€emboldened€my€friends€andŠ p  Šneighbours€in€their€evil€ways!€ņņO€that€my€head€were€waters,€and€mine€eyes€a€fountain€of€tears,€thatŠ \ų ŠI€might€weep€day€and€night€for€my€sins!€óóThe€fire€which€I€could€easily€kindle,€I€cannot€quench.€TheŠ Hä Šbad€seed€I€have€sown€has€already€taken€root,€and€spreads€against€all€my€endeavours€to€prevent€it.Š 4 Š ŠMuch€of€the€evil€I€have€done,€can€never€be€undone.€O,€my€God,€if€thou€art€reconciled€to€me,€how€canŠ  !¼ ŠI€be€reconciled€to€myself?€Even€the€riches€of€thy€free€forgiving€grace€only€shew€me€in€a€clearer€light,Š  "Ø Šmy€own€utter€unworthiness€and€vile€depravity.Š ų"” Šą  ąDo€you€think€these€expressions€of€self-abhorrence€too€strong?€Do€you€cry€out,€this€is€carryingŠ ä#€  Šthe€thing€too€far?€Let€it€however€be€settled€whether€it€be€so€or€not,€by€an€appeal€to€the€scriptures.€IfŠ Š$l! Šwhat€has€been€said€be€not€agreeable€to€them,€let€it€be€condemned€and€rejected.€Hear€what€the€LordŠ ¼%X" Šsays€to€Israel€by€the€prophet€Ezekiel,€ņņAnd€ye€shall€remember€your€ways,€and€all€your€doings€whereinŠ Ø&D # Šyou€have,€been€defiled;€and€ye€shall€loathe€yourselves€in€your€own€sight,€for€all€the€evils€that€ye€haveŠ ”'0!$ Šcommitted.€óóEzekiel€20:43.€It€is€not€possible€to€use€stronger€expressions€than€these.€And€as€we€liveŠ €("% Šamidst€greater€light,€can€it€be€supposed€that€our€sins€are€less€hateful,€and€less€hurtful€than€those€ofŠ l)#& Šthe€ancient€Jews?€It€appears€also€from€other€parts€of€the€same€prophecies,€that€this€kind€of€silentŠ X*ō#' Šsoul-softening€grief€and€humiliation,€is€necessary€even€when€God€declares€himself€pacified€towardsŠ D+ą$( Šus.€Ezekiel€16:63.€There€is€nothing€in€the€world€can€cast€down€self-love,€and€stir€up€self-loathing,Š 0,Ģ%) Šlike€a€believing€regard€to€a€pardoning€God,€and€a€sin„atoning€Saviour.Š d Šą  ąHaving€shown€the€nature€of€repentance,€I€shall€conclude€this€chapter€with€a€few€needfulŠ Pģ Šcautions.Š <Ų Šą  ą1.€Do€not€put€confession€of€sin€in€the€place€of€repentance.Š ( Ä Šą  ąI€grant,€indeed,€we€ought€to€confess€with€our€mouths,€as€well€as€believe€with€our€hearts.€AŠ  ° Šhumble€soul€is€ready€to€join€with€David,€ņņI€will€declare€my€transgression,€I€will€be€sorry€far€my€sin;Š  œ Šóóbut€these€two€do€not€always€go€together.€It€is€probable€you€have€often€united€with€others€in€saying,Š ģ ˆ ŠņņO€Lord,€we€have€offended€against€thy€holy€laws;€we€have€left€undone€those€things€which€we€oughtŠ Ų t Što€have€done,€and€have€done€those€things€which€we€ought€not€to€have€done.€óóHave€not€these€wordsŠ Ä ` Špassed€through€your€lips,€without€one€serious€thought€ever€passing€through€your€mind?€You€haveŠ °L  Šhundreds€of€times€declared€yourself€one€among€miserable€sinners,€and€yet€perhaps€never€truly€feltŠ œ8  Šyour€misery.€Shall€I€say€such€confessions€are€empty,€unmeaning€sounds?€a€mere€waste€of€breath?Š ˆ$  ŠThis€would€be€even€saying€too€little,€for€when€careless€arid€impious€men€utter€such€things,€it€isŠ t  Šdownright€hypocrisy.€ņņBe€not€deceived,€God€is€not€mocked.€óóIs€it€not€shocking€to€think€of€men€pouringŠ `ü  Šout€prayers€one€hour,€belching€out€horrid€oaths€the€next?€Doth€a€fountain€send€forth€at€the€same€timeŠ Lč  Šsweet€water€and€bitter?€The€pharisees€made€long€prayers€in€the€synagogues€and€in€the€streets€to€beŠ 8Ō  Šseen€of€men,€not€to€be€heard€of€God.€I€have€read€of€Romish€priests€teaching€their€blind€and€bigottedŠ $Ą Šfollowers,€that€one€confession€in€a€year,€if€well€paid€for,€would€prevail€with€Peter€to€open€the€gatesŠ ¬ Šof€heaven.€Others€have€taken€care€to€repeat€a€certain€number€of€prayers€everyday,€as€regularly€as€theŠ ü˜ Šclock,€strikes,€and€made€this€the€ground€of€their€hope.€Can€you€think€the€great€God€is€pleased€withŠ č„ Šmere€lip-service€and€formality?€No,€if€you€were€to€condemn€yourself€in€the€most€abasing€language,Š Ōp Šand€sit€down€in€sackcloth€and€ashes,€all€this€would€avail€nothing,€while€the€heart€remainedŠ Ą\ Šunaffected€and€unhumbled.Š ¬H Šą  ą2.€Do€not€mistake€the€occasional€meltings€of€natural€affection€for€repentance.Š ˜4 Šą  ąSome,€from€their€constitutions,€are€more€soft€and€yielding€than€others.€When€a€sermon€isŠ „  Šwarmly€addressed€to€the€passions,€they€dissolve€into€tears.€When€a€death€takes€place€in€their€family,Š p  Šthey€weep€and€seem€much€affected;€but€in€a€very€short€time€it€is€all€gone.€Their€tears€are€scarcelyŠ \ų Šdried€up,€before€they€return€to€their€former€follies.€Their€goodness€is€like€the€morning€cloud€or€theŠ Hä Šearly€dew.€Yet€is€not€this€natural€tenderness€often€mistaken€for€real€repentance?€Beware€that€you€areŠ 4 Š Šnot€so€deceived.€If€you€are€possessed€of€soft€and€lively€feelings,€this€caution€is€highly€necessary.€YouŠ  !¼ Šmay€hear€of€death,€and€resemble€a€man€starting€from€his€sleep,€who€almost€instantly€falls€back€uponŠ  "Ø Šhis€pillow,€and€is€never€quite€awake.€You€may€hear€of€your€sins,€and€make€confession,€but€never€hateŠ ų"” Šthem€or€abhor€yourself€for€committing€them.€You€may€read€the€mournful€history€of€a€SaviourššsŠ ä#€  Šsufferings,€and€weep€just€as€you€would€over€any€other€moving€story.€Such€feelings€as€these€are€noŠ Š$l! Šsure€signs€of€repentance.€Ice€may€be€a€little€thawed€on€the€surface,€while€the€warm€sun-beams€dartŠ ¼%X" Šupon€it,€and€yet€be€soon€frozen€again€as€hard€as€a€stone.€A€poet€observes,€š šthat€tears€rise€fromŠ Ø&D # Šdifferent€causes,€as€if€from€separate€cisterns€in€the€soul.šš€There€is€but€one€spring€from€whichŠ ”'0!$ Ševangelical€repentance€can€flow,€and€that€spring,€which€is€in€a€state€of€nature€shut€up€and€sealed,€canŠ €("% Šbe€opened€by€none€but€the€Holy€Spirit.€When€his€power€touches€the€heart,€as€the€rod€of€Moses€smoteŠ l)#& Šthe€rock,€the€waters€gush€out,€and€continue€to€run€through€the€whole€wilderness.€Doubtless€a€manŠ X*ō#' Šmay€mourn€and€murmur,€but€never€come€to€a€right€mind.€See€the€worn-out€reprobate.€He€repents,Š D+ą$( Šof€what?€not€that€he€has€sinned€against€God,€but€that€his€fortune€is€squandered,€his€family€ruined,Š 0,Ģ%) Šhis€health€destroyed.€His€will€is€the€same,€if€he€had€but€the€means€to€pursue€his€old€ways.€Esau€criedŠ d Šearnestly,€and€wept€bitterly,€when€he€sought€his€fatherššs€blessing;€and€yet€he€was€a€profane€person;Š Pģ Šthere€was€not€a€drop€of€godly€sorrow€in€all€his€tears.€Hebrews€12:16.Š <Ų Šą  ą3.€When€you€begin€to€feel€some€serious€concern,€be€not€eager€to€get€rid€of€your€uneasinessŠ ( Ä Šby€improper€means.Š  ° Šą  ąToo€many€try€to€banish€their€fears,€and€bury€their€convictions,€amidst€the€tumults€and€caresŠ  œ Šof€the€world.€This€is€sure€to€make€what€is€bad€still€worse.€If€you€banish€your€fears,€they€will€returnŠ ģ ˆ Šas€an€armed€host,€increased€both€in€number€and€force.€If€you€bury€your€convictions,€they€will€mostŠ Ų t Šlikely€soon€rise€again,€and€haunt€you€in€every€place.€When€Felix€sent€for€Paul,€to€hear€himŠ Ä ` Šconcerning€the€faith€in€Christ,€it€was€perhaps€to€gratify€his€curious€humour.€But€while€Paul€reasonedŠ °L  Šof€righteousness,€temperance,€and€judgment€to€come,€Felix€trembled.€A€very€remarkable€instanceŠ œ8  Šof€the€power€of€conscience.€It€is€common€enough€for€prisoners€to€tremble€at€the€sight€of€the€judge,Š ˆ$  Šbut€it€was€a€new€thing€for€a€judge€to€tremble€at€the€words€of€a€prisoner.€It€would€have€been€aŠ t  Šfavourable€sign,€had€the€governor€cried,€O€Paul!€these€are€the€weightiest€things€I€ever€heard€in€myŠ `ü  Šlife.€Open€and€explain€to€me€these€doctrines€at€large.€There€is€no€time€to€be€lost.€If€there€is€aŠ Lč  Šjudgment€to€come,€how€shall€I€give€up€my€account?€How€can€I€be€pardoned€and€accepted€?€UnhappyŠ 8Ō  ŠFelix!€instead€of€taking€this€method,€he€said,€ņņGo€thy€way€for€this€time,€and€when€I€have€a€moreŠ $Ą Šconvenient€season€I€will€send€for€thee.€óóMany,€says€an€old€divine,€are€glad€to€get€rid€of€the€shakingŠ ¬ Šague,€though€it€should€leave€them€in€a€deep€decline.€While€Paul€was€relating€his€own€conversion,Š ü˜ ŠAgrippa€cried,ņņ€Almost€thou€persuadest€me€to€be€a€Christian.€óóO€beware€you€do€not€act€over€again€theŠ č„ Šfoolish€part€of€Felix,€and€the€timid€halting€part€of€Agrippa.€If€you€flee€from€the€avenger€of€blood,€andŠ Ōp Šstop€short,€though€but€a€few€steps€from€the€refuge,€you€will€be€assuredly€apprehended€and€punished.Š Ą\ ŠO,€do€not€trifle€with€eternal€things,€or€labour€to€smother€those€convictions€which€sometimes€seizeŠ ¬H Šthe€conscience.€Do€not€throw€down€the€book€which€makes€you€uneasy,€or€shun€the€face€of€a€faithfulŠ ˜4 Šreprover.€It€is€to€avoid€present€pain,€that€many€rush€into€eternal€punishment.€To€imagine€you€can€gainŠ „  Šease,€by€mixing€with€the€giddy€multitude,€is€quite€as€absurd,€as€to€think€of€healing€a€wound€by€layingŠ p  Šon€a€plaister,€before€the€thorn€is€removed.Š \ų Šą  ą4.€Do€not€rest€contented€with€what€the€world€calls€morality.Š Hä Šą  ąThis€is€too€often€put€in€the€place€of€repentance.€Many€build€up€a€wall,€and€daub€it€withŠ 4 Š Šuntempered€mortar,€and€because€it€looks€well,€conclude€all€is€safe.€Ezekiel€13:10„11.€But€as€theŠ  !¼ Šmaterials€are€bad,€and€the€foundation€sandy,€however€it€may€be€plaistered€and€adorned,€when€theŠ  "Ø Šsapping€rains€descend€and€the€violent€winds€blow,€it€will€fall,€and€bury€the€foolish€builders€underŠ ų"” Šits€ruins.€If€you€seem€troubled€about€your€sins,€and€the€prospect€of€future€misery,€false€teachers€willŠ ä#€  Štell€you€to€live€a€good€life€and€make€yourself€quite€easy.€But€the€apostles€always€directed€sensible,Š Š$l! Šinquiring€sinners,€at€once€to€Christ.€You€have€no€hope€left€you,€but€what€is€centred€in€Christ.€YouŠ ¼%X" Šmust€renounce€your€own,€to€trust€in€his€righteousness.€You€must€determine€to€know€nothing,€saveŠ Ø&D # ŠJesus€Christ€and€him€crucified.€All€who€are€forgiven,€are€forgiven€for€Christššs€sake.€All€who€areŠ ”'0!$ Šaccepted,€are€accepted€in€the€beloved.€ņņAs€God€spared€not€his€own€Son,€but€delivered€him€up€for€usŠ €("% Šall,€he€will€with€him€freely€give€us€all€things.€óóRomans€8:32.€But€without€Christ,€he€will€bestowŠ l)#& Šnothing.€Do€not€think€God€will€sell€you€eternal€blessings€for€your€poor,€maimed,€moral€duties.€ņņByŠ X*ō#' Šgrace€are€ye€saved.€óóEphesians€2:8.€Neither€think€you€will€make€yourself€fit,€and€then€come€to€Christ.Š D+ą$( ŠIf€you€come€at€all,€you€must€come€as€you€are.€Suppose,€as€a€good€writer€observes,€a€man€to€be€lameŠ 0,Ģ%) Šand€wounded,€would€it€not€be€absurd€to€recommend€him€to€enter€the€service€of€some€great€prince,Š d Što€run€his€errands,€and€do€his€work?€Ought€he€not€first€to€be€led€to€a€skilful€surgeon,€to€have€hisŠ Pģ Šwounds€cleansed€and€healed?€Thus€a€sinner€must€be€brought€to€repentance,€before€he€can€be€trainedŠ <Ų Što€obedience.€A€moral€life€can€flow€only€from€a€renewed€heart.€Elijah,€says€Boston,€would€have€doneŠ ( Ä Šthe€inhabitants€of€Jericho€but€little€good,€had€he€purified€the€bad€water€contained€in€all€the€vesselsŠ  ° Šof€their€city,€if€he€had€not€cast€his€salt€into€the€spring.€Let€your€constant€cry€be,€ņņLord,€save€me,€or€IŠ  œ Šperish.€óóPlead€for€the€forgiveness€of€sins,€and€an€inheritance€among€the€saints.€Pray€to€be€justifiedŠ ģ ˆ Šfreely,€and€sanctified€wholly€by€the€rich€grace€of€our€Lord€Jesus€Christ.€Do€not€begin€to€make€excuse.Š Ų t ŠNow€hath€God€granted€to€the€Gentiles€repentance€unto€life.€May€you€rejoice€in€this€grant,€and€liveŠ Ä ` Šthe€rest€of€your€time€to€him€who€died€for€you.Š °L  ŠĢßA€^ ) °°` dE<‡` Aߊ ˆ$  ŠĢņ ņó óĢÓ  ÓCHAPTER€III.Š o  ŠĢņņOn€the€Necessity€of€Repentance.óóŠ Gć  ŠÓ VӀĢą  ąIt€was€necessary€I€should€first€tell€you€wherein€true€repentance€consists.€As€a€mistake€on€thisŠ » Špoint€is€dangerous,€you€ought€to€have€right€ideas€of€it:€the€most€forcible€addresses€will€otherwise€beŠ  § Šlike€arrows€shot€at€random.€If€you€are€convinced,€that€repentance€is€a€thorough€change€of€mind,€letŠ ÷“ Šme€intreat€you€to€consider€how€necessary€it€is.€When€I€attempt€to€reason€with€you,€every€page€ofŠ ć Šscripture€will€furnish€me€with€arguments.€When€I€make€a€solemn€appeal,€I€hope€conscience€will€riseŠ Ļk Šup€as€a€witness€within,€and€declare€the€truth,€the€whole€truth,€and€nothing€but€the€truth.€When€I€tryŠ »W Što€persuade€you,€surely€your€own€best€interests€should€lead€you€to€lend€a€willing€ear€to€one,€who€hasŠ §C Šno€end€to€answer€but€the€promotion€of€your€own€welfare.€The€cause€which€I€plead€is€of€infiniteŠ “/ Šimportance.€I€shew€you€the€necessity€of€that€repentance,€to€which€the€gospel€calls€you.€You€may€notŠ  Šgive€up€all€thoughts€of€it,€but€determine€to€look€to€the€worldly€things€for€the€present.€š šAnd€what€isŠ k Šit€that€thou€dost€count€necessary?€Is€thy€bread€necessary?€Is€thy€breath€necessary?€Then€thyŠ Wó Šconversion€is€much€more€necessary.€Indeed€this€is€the€one€thing€needful.€Thine€estate€is€notŠ C ß Šnecessary;€thou€mayest€sell€all€for€the€pearl€of€great€price,€and€yet€be€a€gainer€by€the€purchase.Š /!Ė ŠŌ_ŌMatthew€13:46.Ō_Ō€Thy€life€is€not€necessary;€thou€mayest€part€with€it€for€Christ€to€infinite€advantage.Š "· ŠThy€esteem€is€not€necessary;€thou€mayest€be€reproached€for€the€name€of€Christ,€and€yet€be€happy;Š #£  Šyea,€much€happier€in€reproach€than€in€repute.€1€Peter€4:14.€Matthew€5:10.€But€thy€conversion€isŠ ó#! Šnecessary€(See€Alleinššs€Alarm.).ššŠ ß${" ŠI€would€therefore€address€you€as€Moses€did€Israel,€ņņSet€thine€heart€to€all€the€words€that€I€testify€untoŠ Ė%g# Šthee€this€day,€for€it€is€not€a€vain€thing,€it€is€thy€life.€óóŠ ·&S $ Šą  ąI€shall€endeavour€to€prove,€that€repentance€is€ņņabsolutely,€universally,€óóand€ņņimmediatelyŠ £'?!% Šnecessary.óóŠ (+"& Šą  ąRepentance€is€absolutely€necessary.Š {)#' Šą  ąWithout€it€heaven€cannot€be€obtained,€nor€hell€avoided.€If€these€can€be€made€to€appearŠ g*$( Šundeniable€points,€other€arguments€can€scarcely€be€needed€for€this€part€of€the€subject.Š S+ļ$) Šą  ąWithout€repentance,€it€is€impossible€to€obtain€heaven.€Heaven€is€a€place€of€pure€and€perfectŠ ?,Ū%* Šhappiness,€for€which€there€must€be€a€suitable€preparation.€The€apostle€speaks€of€ņņbeing€made€meet€óóŠ d Šņņto€become€partakers€of€the€inheritance€of€the€saints€in€light.€óóBut€to€suppose€there€can€be€a€fitness€forŠ Pģ Šheaven€while€you€remain€in€a€state€of€impenitence,€is€as€absurd,€as€to€think€a€building€can€be€finishedŠ <Ų Šbefore€the€first€foundation€stone€is€laid.€Every€creature€is€suited€to€its€own€element.€A€fish€cannotŠ ( Ä Šlive€in€the€air,€nor€a€bird€in€the€water.€Take€a€carnal€man€into€the€company€of€the€pious,€and€he€isŠ  ° Šmiserable,€because€out€of€his€own€element.€Accustomed€to€foolish€and€filthy€talking,€he€has€no€earŠ  œ Šfor€wisdom€and€instruction.€Blinded€with€the€glitter€of€vanity,€he€cannot€discern€the€beauty€ofŠ ģ ˆ Šholiness.€Feeding€on€the€dry€husks€and€dregs€of€the€world,€he€has€no€taste€for€what€is€pure€andŠ Ų t Šspiritual.€He€has€taught€his€tongue€to€speak€lies€and€oaths,€but€it€has€never€learned€to€pray€or€praise.Š Ä ` ŠSin€reigns€in€his€heart,€and€therefore€religion€has€no€power,€nor€place€there.€Now€if€such€a€man€isŠ °L  Šwearied,€and€his€patience€worn€out,€by€being€an€hour€or€two€in€the€company€of€godly€men€on€earth,Š œ8  Šis€he€not€quite€unfit€for€heaven?€Were€he€admitted€into€the€mansions€of€immortal€glory,€they€wouldŠ ˆ$  Šafford€him€no€joy.€O€remember,€that€a€heavenly€temper€and€disposition€must€be€brought€into€theŠ t  Šsoul,€before€the€soul€can€be€raised€to€heaven.€We€must€be€holy,€or€we€cannot€be€happy.€We€must€beŠ `ü  Šlike€Christ,€or€we€can€never€be€with€Christ.€To€suppose€that€an€ungodly€man€can€go€to€heaven€is€toŠ Lč  Šsuppose€an€impossibility.€Will€a€father€suffer€a€murderer€to€dwell€among€his€children,€or€a€kingŠ 8Ō  Špermit€a€rebel€to€lodge€in€his€palace?€What€fellowship€hath€righteousness€with€unrighteousness?Š $Ą ŠDoes€not€Christ€expressly€say,€ņņIf€ye€believe€not€that€I€am€he,€ye€shall€die€in€your€sins,€and€where€IŠ ¬ Šam€ye€cannot€come?€óóIs€not€such€a€declaration€enough€to€make€the€ears€of€every€one€that€heareth€toŠ ü˜ Štingle?€Yes,€you€had€better,€with€a€free€pardon,€die€in€a€desert€or€dungeon,€than€with€riches€andŠ č„ Šhonours€die€in€your€sins.€If€you€be€shut€out€from€the€presence€of€Christ,€you€will€not€have€oneŠ Ōp Šmoment€of€peace,€one€drop€of€comfort,€or€one€ray€of€hope€forever.€It€is€a€weighty€maxim€of€Baxter,Š Ą\ Šš šHeaven€will€pay€for€any€loss€we€may€suffer€to€gain€it,€but€nothing€can€pay€for€the€loss€of€heaven.ššŠ ¬H ŠHow€strongly€and€solemnly€is€the€necessity€of€a€change€of€mind€insisted€on€in€the€Scriptures!€ņņVerily,Š ˜4 Šverily,€I€say€unto€thee€except€a€man€be€born€of€water€and€of€the€spirit,€he,€cannot€enter€into€theŠ „  Škingdom€of€God.€óóJohn€3:5.€If€you€are€not€washed€in€the€laver€of€regeneration,€you€can€have€no€partŠ p  Šwith€Christ.€ņņWithout€holiness,€no€man€shall€see€the€Lord.€óóIf€the€gospel€does€not€change€you,€restŠ \ų Šassured€your€impenitence€will€not€change€Godššs€councils.€False€notions€may€lull€you€for€a€time,€butŠ Hä Šthey€cannot€turn€age€into€youth,€a€bed€of€thorns€into€a€bed€of€roses,€or€the€king€of€terrors€into€anŠ 4 Š Šangel€of€peace.Š  !¼ Šą  ąWithout€repentance,€it€is€impossible€to€avoid€hell.€Hear€the€faithful€and€true€Witness€š"š€ņņI€tellŠ  "Ø Šyou€Nay;€but€except€ye€repent,€ye€shall€all€likewise€perish.€óóThat€the€awful€and€weighty€truth€mightŠ ų"” Šmake€a€deeper€impression,€he€doubles€his€declaration,€and€by€pointedly€repeating€the€same€words,Š ä#€  Šapplies€it€to€the€conscience€with€stroke€upon€stroke.€Luke€13:3„5.€To€perish€in€this€place,€does€notŠ Š$l! Šmean€the€death€of€the€body,€for€that€comes€alike€to€all,€the€righteous€and€the€wicked.€Nor€does€itŠ ¼%X" Šmean€a€total€loss€of€being,€although€some€bad€men€have€brought€themselves€to€wish,€and€almostŠ Ø&D # Šbelieve,€they€should€die€like€the€beasts.€The€present€life€is€but€the€porch,€by€which€we€enter€into€anŠ ”'0!$ Šeternal€state.€The€word€of€God€assures€us,€ņņIt€is€appointed€for€men€once€to€die,€and€after€death€theŠ €("% Šjudgment.€óóBy€comparing€one€part€of€scripture€with€another,€we€learn,€that€to€perish€is€to€be€deprivedŠ l)#& Šof€all€happiness€and€doomed€to€endless€misery.€Peter€speaks€of€the€day€of€judgment€and€perditionŠ X*ō#' Šof€ungodly€men.€Christ€commands€us€to€fear€him,€who€is€able€to€destroy€both€soul€and€body€in€hell.Š D+ą$( ŠPaul€says,€ņņThose€who€know€not€God,€and€obey€not€the€gospel€of€our€Lord€Jesus€Christ,€shall€beŠ 0,Ģ%) Špunished€with€everlasting€destruction€from€the€presence€of€the€Lord,€and€from€the€glory€of€hisŠ d Špower.€óó2€Thessalonians€1:9.€By€examining€the€scriptures,€you€will€be€convinced€that€to€perish,€is€forŠ Pģ Šthe€precious€soul€to€be€irrecoverably€lost!€To€perish€is€to€endure€indignation€and€wrath,€tribulationŠ <Ų Šand€anguish,€as€the€just€punishment€of€sin.€To€perish€is€to€be€cast€into€outer€darkness€andŠ ( Ä Šunquenchable€fire,€among€the€workers€of€iniquity!€What€a€description€has€our€Lord€given€of€DivesŠ  ° Šin€hell!€After€he€had€left€behind€him€his€fine€linen€and€purple€robes,€he€was€clothed€with€shame€andŠ  œ Šcovered€with€confusion.€Instead€ot€these€rich€wines€which€he€once€drank€so€freely,€he€now€begs€inŠ ģ ˆ Švain,€for€a€drop€of€water€to€cool€his€tongue!€O€how€plainly,€how€positively,€how€solemnly€has€GodŠ Ų t Šforewarned€the€wicked€of€eternal€destruction!€Can€you€read€or€hear€of€this€without€being€alarmed?Š Ä ` ŠCan€you€even€bear€to€think€upon€it€for€a€moment,€without€terror€and€dismay?€Do€not€treat€theseŠ °L  Šthings€as€fancies€and€fables.€A€faithful€God€has€stamped€his€threatenings,€as€well€as€his€promises,Š œ8  Šwith€the€seal€of€truth.€Hath€he€said€it,€ņņand€shall€he€not€do€it?€Hath€he€spoken€it,€ami€shall€he€notŠ ˆ$  Šbring€it€to€pass?€Yea,€heaven€and€earth€shall€pass€away,€but€not€one€jot€or€tittle€of€his€word€shallŠ t  Šbe€made€void.€óóŠ `ü  Šą  ąWoe€to€them€that€seek€for€those€things€only,€which€feed€their€lusts,€and€flatter€their€pride.€IfŠ Lč  Šyou€remain€unmelted€with€all€the€tender€mercies,€and€unmoved€with€all€the€solemn€warnings€of€God,Š 8Ō  Šhow€can€you€escape€the€damnation€of€hell?€Whither€will€you€go€for€shelter?€What€device,€whatŠ $Ą Šcontrivance€do€you€trust€to€for€deliverance?€ņņCan€you€thunder€with€a€voice€like€God?€or€wage€warŠ ¬ Šwith€the€Almighty?€óóCan€you€find€a€corner€in€the€vast€universe€to€hide€you€from€the€all€searching€eyesŠ ü˜ Šof€your€Judge?€When€once€plunged€into€the€pit€of€despair,€can€you€pass€the€gulf€which€God€has€fixedŠ č„ Šbetween€heaven€and€hell?€O,€consider€and€believe€it,€there€is€nothing€before€you€but€repentance€orŠ Ōp Šruin.€Do€you€think€it€necessary€to€pursue€your€business,€provide€for€your€family,€and€preserve€yourŠ Ą\ Šhealth?€These€however€are€the€things€of€time,€but€godliness€is€necessary€for€eternity.€O,€theŠ ¬H Šimportance€of€eternity!€when€millions€of€millions€of€years€are€gone,€eternity€will€not€be€lessened!Š ˜4 ŠņņThe€wicked,€saith€Christ,€go€away€into€everlasting€punishment,€and€into€the€place€prepared€for€theŠ „  Šdevil€and€his€angels.€óóMatthew€25:46.€And€if,€without€a€change,€this€must€be€your€doom,€is€notŠ p  Šrepentance€absolutely€necessary?€This€demands€your€serious€attention,€though€every€thing€else€Š \ų Šshould€be€neglected.€The€soul€is€too€precious€to€be€risked€for€the€poor€trifles€of€a€day.€It€is€uselessŠ Hä Što€gather€riches€and€honours;€for€if€you€had€whole€kingdoms€in€your€possession,€they€could€notŠ 4 Š Šdeliver€you€from€death.€If€you€continue€impenitent€to€the€last,€all€the€angels€of€heaven,€should€theyŠ  !¼ Šwish€it,€could€not€save€you€from€hell.€Woe€unto€you,€if€God€withdraw€the€beams€of€his€favour!€EveryŠ  "Ø Šcreature€will€then€forsake€you.€ņņThe€heavens€will€reveal€your€iniquity,€and€the€earth€shall€rise€upŠ ų"” Šagainst€you.€óóThe€want€of€penitence,€after€we€have€sinned,€provokes€God€more€than€the€sin€itself.€HasŠ ä#€  Šthe€thought€of€this€ever€yet€seriously€affected€you?€O,€may€you€be€smitten€to€the€heart,€with€aŠ Š$l! Šconviction€of€your€sin€and€danger!€May€you€be€plucked€as€a€brand€out€of€the€burning,€by€the€arm€ofŠ ¼%X" ŠSovereign€grace!€O,€cry€earnestly€š"š€cry€unceasingly,€š šLord,€I€have€been€ignorant€and€sensual,€as€aŠ Ø&D # Šbeast€before€thee!€I€have€been€a€stubborn€rebel,€a€hateful€monster!€ņņTurn€thou€me,€and€I€shall€beŠ ”'0!$ Šturned:€save€me,€and€I€shall€€be€saved.€óóWhy€am€I€yet€spared,€when€thousands,€less€guilty,€have€beenŠ €("% Šcut€off€in€their€sins?€ņņLord,€enter€not€into€judgment€with€thy€servant€;€for€in€thy€sight€shall€no€manŠ l)#& Šliving€be€justified.€óóHad€I€been€swept€away€into€the€fiery€oven€of€thy€wrath,€it€would€have€beenŠ X*ō#' Šnothing€more€than€I€have€deserved.€ņņHave€mercy€upon€me,€have€mercy€upon€me,€and€blot€out€my€sins.Š D+ą$( ŠóóGive€me€thy€good€Spirit,€to€soften€the€soil€of€my€heart,€that€the€incorruptible€seed€of€truth€may€takeŠ 0,Ģ%) Šroot€there,€and€bring€forth€an€hundred€foldšš.Š d Šą  ąRepentance€is€universally€necessary.Š Pģ Šą  ąDo€not€think€what€has€been€said€applies€to€none€but€blasphemers,€thieves,€and€murderers.€Š <Ų ŠņņAll€have€sinned,€and€come€short€of€the€glory€of€God.óó€The€infection€has€struck€deep,€and€spread€wide.Š ( Ä ŠSin€is€a€disease€equally€dangerous,€whether€it€works€secretly€within,€or€breaks€out€into€odiousŠ  ° Širruptions€of€vice.€ņņTherefore€God,€óósaith€the€apostle,€ņņhath€now€commanded€all€men€every€where€toŠ  œ Šrepent.€óóThere€is€not€one,€come€to€years€capable€of€seeing€the€difference€between€good€and€evil,€whoŠ ģ ˆ Šhas€not€sinned€against€God.€We€behold€a€great€many€different€opinions,€tastes,€and€pursuits€amongŠ Ų t Šmen;€but€all€are€transgressors,€and€need€repentance.€I€shall,€therefore,€address€myself€to€the€profligateŠ Ä ` Šand€presumptuous;€the€negligent€and€careless;€the€self„righteous€and€hypocritical.Š °L  Šą  ąI€address€myself€to€the€profligate€and€presumptuous.Š œ8  ŠIt€is€asked,€whom€do€I€mean?€I€reply,€do€you€profane€the€Sabbath,€and€spend€those€hours,€which€wereŠ ˆ$  Šset€apart€for€the€service€of€God,€in.€loose€company,€vain€amusements,€and€vile€pleasures?€Do€youŠ t  Šboldly€utter€such€wanton€or€indecent€language,€as€must€make€a€modest€and€good€man€blush?€Do€youŠ `ü  Šgive€yourselves€to€cheating€and€fraud,€lewdness€and€drunkenness?€š"š€then€you€are€profligates.€SinsŠ Lč  Šof€ignorance€are€less€heinous;€but€these€things€are€not€only€condemned€by€the€law€of€God,€but€alsoŠ 8Ō  Šcontrary€to€the€laws€of€men.€If€you€practise€wickedness€in€open€daylight,€against€counsels,€warnings,Š $Ą Šand€reproofs;€if€you€go€on€in€your€forbidden€ways,€wilfully€and€obstinately,š"š€then,€you€areŠ ¬ Špresumptuous€sinners.€You€can€neither€plead€ignorance€nor€surprise,€and€therefore€are€left€withoutŠ ü˜ ŠŌ_Ōexcuse.Š č„ ŠŌ_ŌĢą0  ąą0` (#(#ąHeaven€from€above,€and€conscience€from€within,€ŠĄ\` (#` (# Šą0  ąą0` (#(#ąCry€in€your€startled€ears€š"š€Abstain€from€sin!€Ō_Ō(Cowper)Ō_ŌŠ¬H` (#` (# ŠĢą@eeģąŌ_ŌŌ_ŌŌ_ŌŌ_ŌŌ_ŌAndŌ_Ō€yet€you€rush€upon€those€rocks,€against€which€so€many€have€made€shipwreck€before€yourˆŠ „  Šeyes!€O,€think€what€would€be€you€condition,€if€you€were€instantly€seized€by€the€strong€hand€of€death!Š p  ŠHow€could€you€appear€before€your€Maker€and€Judge?€Know€you€not,€that€the€unrighteous€shall€notŠ \ų Šinherit€the€kingdom€of€God?€ņņBe€not€deceived;€neither€fornicators,€nor€idolaters,€nor€adulterers,€norŠ Hä Šeffeminate,€nor€abusers€of€themselves€with€mankind;€nor€thieves,€nor€covetous,€nor€drunkards,€norŠ 4 Š Šrevilers,€nor€extortioners,€shall€inherit€the€kingdom€of€God.€óó1€Corinthians€6:9„10.€Is€it€possible€toŠ  !¼ Šbe€guilty€of€such€things,€and€not€know€it?€And€can€you€bear€any€of€these€black€marks€upon€yourŠ  "Ø Šcharacters,€and€not€shudder€at€the€sight€of€them?Š ų"” Šą  ąPerhaps€you€boast,€that€you€never€pretended€to€any€religion.€š šWhatever€we€be,€we€are€notŠ ä#€  Šcanting€hypocrites.€We€scorn€the€pitiful€tricks€of€base€cowards.€Away€with€all€weak€scruples;€we€canŠ Š$l! Šbravely€despise€them;€and,€dashing€through€difficulties,€enjoy€our€frolics,€in€spite€of€death€andŠ ¼%X" Šdestruction.šš€Let€me€tell€you,€the€difference€between€a€hypocrite€and€a€reprobate€is€only€like€thatŠ Ø&D # Šwhich€there€is€between€a€thief€and€a€robber:€they€are€both€detestable.€According€to€the€striking€wordsŠ ”'0!$ Šof€Boston,€a€conscience€seared€as€with€a€hot€iron,€is€a€sure€presage€of€everlasting€burnings.€ņņWho€hathŠ €("% Šhardened€himself€against€God,€and€prospered?€óóWho€can€raise€a€defence€that€will€shield€him€fromŠ l)#& Šthe€flaming€bolts€of€the€Almighty?€ņņIf€we€sin€wilfully€after€we€have€received€the€knowledge€of€theŠ X*ō#' Štruth,€there€remaineth€no€more€sacrifice€for€sin;€but€a€fearful€looking€for€of€judgment,€and€fieryŠ D+ą$( Šindignation,€which€shall€devour€the€adversaries.€óóHebrews€10:26.€Who€made€Cain€a€fugitive€and€aŠ 0,Ģ%) Švagabond€in€the€earth?€Genesis€4:14.€Who€made€Pashur€a€terror€to€himself€and€to€all€his€friends?Š d ŠJeremiah€20:4.€Who€struck€Belshazzar€with€horror,€while€he€was€feasting€with€his€thousand€lords?Š Pģ ŠIt€was€that€God,€to€whom€vengeance€belongeth;€who€reserveth€wrath€for€his€enemies.€I€have€read€ofŠ <Ų Ša€wicked€man,€who,€when€warned€of€hell,€said,€š šI€will€believe€it€when€I€come€thitheršš!€But€to€whatŠ ( Ä Šuse€will€it€be€to€believe€there€is€a€hell,€when€it€is€too€late€to€escape€from€it?€A€daring€and€hectoringŠ  ° Šspirit€cannot€save€you.€Though€you€should€imagine€you€have€made€a€covenant€with€death,€and€withŠ  œ Šhell€an€agreement,€so€that€the€one€shall€not€seize,€nor€the€other€claim€you,€what€security€can€theyŠ ģ ˆ Šafford?€š"š€the€same€that€you€would€have€of€an€estate,€held€by€a€lease€written€upon€the€sands€of€theŠ Ų t Šsea€shore,€till€the€coming€of€the€next€tide!€ņņWhen€the€overflowing€scourge€shall€come,€your€covenantŠ Ä ` Šwith€death€shall€be€disannulled,€and€your€agreement€with€hell€shall€not€stand.€óóIsaiah€28:15.Š °L  Šą  ąMany€persons,€while€they€are€full€of€health€and€spirits,€make€light€of€religion,€who€yet,€in€aŠ œ8  Štime€of€sickness,€find€all€their€confidence€fail.€Mr.€Hervey€went€to€visit,€a€man€on€his€death€bed,€whoŠ ˆ$  Šhad€been€given€up€to€all€the€gaieties€and€pleasures€of€a€worldly€life.€š šI€found€him€(says€he)€no€moreŠ t  Šthat€sprightly€son€of€joy,€which€he€used€to€be;€but€languishing,€pining€away€š"š€withering€under€theŠ `ü  Šchastening€hand€of€God!€His€limbs€feeble€and€trembling;€his€countenance€forlorn€and€ghastly;€andŠ Lč  Šthe€little€breath€he€had€left,€sobbed€out€in€sorrowful€sighs.€When€I€was€seated€beside€him,€he€firstŠ 8Ō  Šcast€a€most€wishful€look€at€me,€and€then€began,€as€well€as€he€was€able,€to€speak€as€follows:€š"š€ņņš šO,Š $Ą Šthat€I€had€been€wise;€that€I€had€known€this;€that€I€had€considered€my€latter€end!€óóAh!€Mr.€Hervey,Š ¬ Šdeath€is€knocking€at€my€door:€in€a€few€hours€more,€I€shall€draw€my€last€gasp;€and€then,€judgment!Š ü˜ Štremendous€judgment!€How€shall€I€appear,€unprepared€as€I€am,€before€the€all„knowing€andŠ č„ Šomnipotent€God?€How€shall€I€endure€the€day€of€his€coming?€The€day€in€which€1€should€have€workedŠ Ōp Šis€over€and€gone;€and€I€see€a€sad,€horrible€night€approaching,€bringing€with€it€the€blackness€ofŠ Ą\ Šdarkness€forever!€Woe€is€me!€when€God€called,€I€refused;€when€he€invited,€I€was€one€of€them€thatŠ ¬H Šmade€excuse.€Now,€therefore,€I€receive€the€reward€of€my€deeds:€I€smart,€and€am€in€sore€anguish;€andŠ ˜4 Šyet€this€is€but€the€beginning€of€sorrows.€It€doth€not€yet€appear€what€I€shall€be;€but€I€am€sure€I€shallŠ „  Šbe€ruined,€undone,€and€destroyed€with€an€everlasting€destruction.šš€It€would€be€easy€to€mention€manyŠ p  Šsuch€instances.€If€you€tread€in€the€steps€of€such€men,€how€can€you€expect€any€other€than€their€end?Š \ų ŠņņI€tell€you€nay:€but€except€ye€repent,€ye€shall€all€likewise€perish.€óóŠ Hä Šą  ąI€address€myself,€next,€to€the€negligent€and€careless.Š 4 Š Šą  ąIt€is€asked,€whom€do€I€mean?€I€mean€you,€who€lull€yourselves€into€a€false€sleep;€you,€whoŠ  !¼ Šglory€in€a€settled€indifference;€you,€who€are€given€up€to€sloth,€as€if€you€had€no€souls€to€be€eitherŠ  "Ø Šsaved€or€lost.Š ų"” Šą  ąThe€prophet€speaks€of€some€in€his€day,€ņņwho€cried€peace!€peace!€when€there€was€no€peace.Š ä#€  ŠóóThe€trumpet€sounded€an€alarm;€but€they€did€not€arouse,€to€prepare€for€the€battle.€The€storm€gatheredŠ Š$l! Šblack€and€heavy;€but€they€persuaded€themselves€it€would€blow€away,€and€not€reach€them.€And€doŠ ¼%X" Šyou€see€yourselves€here€described?€How€loud,€how€earnest,€how€frequent,€how€solemn€have€beenŠ Ø&D # Šthe€calls€of€God€to€you?€and€yet€you€are€as€senseless€as€the€stones!€How€many€awful€events€andŠ ”'0!$ Šjudgments€have€passed€before€your€eyes?€and€yet€you€remain€hardened€in€impenitence!€How€manyŠ €("% Šshowers€of€goodness€has€God€caused€to€descend€upon€you?€and€still€you€are€ungrateful!€Time€glidesŠ l)#& Šaway;€and€you€neither€feel€remorse€for€the€past,€nor€concern€for€the€future.€Death€draws€nearer€andŠ X*ō#' Šnearer;€but€you€prepare€not€to€meet€your€God.€What!€do€you€not€know,€that€a€messenger€from€heavenŠ D+ą$( Šcries,€ņņWoe€to€them€that€are€at€ease€in€Zion!€óóAmos€6:1.Š 0,Ģ%) Šą  ąPerhaps€you€glory€in€a€calm,€settled€indifference€to€religion!€Whatever€others€may€think,€say,Š d Šor€do,€you€determine€neither€to€favour€nor€oppose€it.€But€do€you€believe,€that,€by€being€careless,€youŠ Pģ Šshall€be€found€guiltless?€Do€you€really€think,€you€can€steer€an€even€course€between€the€righteous€andŠ <Ų Šthe€wicked?€Solon€made€a€law€in€Athens,€that€those€who,€in€a€sedition,€or€contest€of€the€citizens,Š ( Ä Šrefused€to€take€either€part,€should€be€esteemed€infamous.€It€is€certain,€God€has€made€a€law,€that,€inŠ  ° Šthe€grand€concerns€of€religion,€no€one€shall€stand€neuter.€ņņHe€that€is€not€against€us,€óósays€Christ,€ņņis€forŠ  œ Šus.€óóThere€is€no€middle€path€between€the€broad€and€the€narrow€way.€After€the€gates€of€death€areŠ ģ ˆ Špassed,€there€are€but€two€final€homes€for€all,€and€these€are€š"š€heaven€and€hell!€Continue,€then,€noŠ Ų t Šlonger€to€halt€between€two€opinions,€which€are€directly€opposite;€but€choose€you€whom€ye€will€serve.Š Ä ` ŠPerhaps€you€give€yourselves€to€sloth:€you€think€you€are€free€from€the€crimes€of€the€profligate.€š šWeŠ °L  Šwere€never€habituated€to€fraud,€falsehood,€gaming,€intoxication,€and€profaneness.€We€have€neitherŠ œ8  Šwronged€the€helpless,€nor€corrupted€the€innocent;€neither€despised€governments€nor€mocked€atŠ ˆ$  Šreligion.šš€But€though€you€may€not€be€chargeable€with€gross,€disgraceful€crimes,€yet,€if€you€beŠ t  Šestranged€from€God,€unmindful€of€the€gospel€of€Christ,€and€unconcerned€about€an€eternal€world,Š `ü  Šyour€souls€are€exposed€to€ruin.Š Lč  Šą  ąRemember€the€doom€of€the€unprofitable€servant,€whose€talent€had€been€suffered€to€rust€inŠ 8Ō  Ša€napkin.€ņņThou€slothful€and€wicked€servant,€out€of€thine€own€mouth€thou€art€condemned.€And€castŠ $Ą Šye€the€unprofitable€servant€into€outer€darkness;€there€shall€be€weeping€and€gnashing€of€teeth.Š ¬ ŠóóMatthew€25:€26,€30.€You€may€flatter€yourselves€with€a€false€peace,€and€sit€down€in€sloth€andŠ ü˜ Šindifference;€ņņbut,€except€ye€repent,€ye€shall€all€likewise€perish.€óóŠ č„ Šą  ąI€address€myself€to€the€self-righteous€and€hypocritical.Š Ōp ŠIs€it€asked,€whom€do€I€mean?€I€mean€you,€who€are€puffed€up€with€the€pride€of€self-sufficiency,€andŠ Ą\ Šcontented€with€a€dull€round€of€ceremonies.€If€regularly€going€to€a€place€of€worship€on€a€Sabbath,€beŠ ¬H Šreligion,€you€have€been€very€religious€from€your€childhood.€You€say€your€prayers€every€night,€asŠ ˜4 Šconstantly€as€a€man€winds€up€his€watch,€and€much€in€the€same€formal€and€listless€manner.Š „  Šą  ąThere€are€no€persons,€on€whom€the€gospel€has€so€little€effect,€as€the€self-righteous.€TheyŠ p  Šstrike€out€a€great€variety€of€ways,€by€which€to€compass€their€end.€Truth€does€not€furnish€oneŠ \ų Šargument,€for€which€their€pride€cannot€find€an€objection.€ņņBeing€ignorant€of€Godššs€righteousness,€andŠ Hä Šgoing€about€to€establish€their€own€righteousness,€they€do€not€submit€themselves€to€the€righteousnessŠ 4 Š Šof€God.€For€Christ€is€the€end€of€the€law€for€righteousness€to€every€one€that€believeth.€óóRomans€10:4„Š  !¼ Š5.€Persons€of€this€stamp€will€quibble€away€the€plainest€testimonies€of€scripture,€rather€than€yield€toŠ  "Ø Šbecome€indebted€to€the€free€grace€of€the€gospel,€for€justification€and€life.€They€not€only€err,€but€alsoŠ ų"” Šfortify€themselves€in€error.€If€one€scheme€fails,€they€try€another.€ņņThey€say€in€the€pride€and€stoutnessŠ ä#€  Šof€their€heart,€The€bricks€are€fallen€down,€but€we€will€build€with€hewn€stones:€the€sycamores€are€cutŠ Š$l! Šdown,€but€we€will€change€them€into€cedars.€óóIsaiah€9:9„10.Š ¼%X" Šą  ąWhen€Noah€had€entered€the€ark,€it€is€emphatically€said,€ņņThe€Lord€shut€him€in.€óóBut€when€theŠ Ø&D # Šself-righteous€have€built€their€own€refuge,€they€shut€themselves€in,€and€there€rest€secure,€till€they€areŠ ”'0!$ Šeither€driven€out€by€the€sword€of€the€Spirit,€or€burnt€out€by€the€fire€of€divine€wrath.€Those€cloakedŠ €("% Šhypocrites,€and€proud€boasters,€the€pharisees,€were€full€of€self-sufficiency,€but€looked€upon€all€othersŠ l)#& Šwith€disdain.€They€scarcely€thought€the€publicans€worthy€to€take€place€within€the€same€walls,€orŠ X*ō#' Šwalk€in€the€path€which€they€had€made€holy€by€their€steps.€Instead€of€trusting€in€the€merits€of€theŠ D+ą$( ŠRedeemer,€they€hoped€for€acceptance€with€God,€from€their€fasts,€and€prayers,€and€alms.Š 0,Ģ%) Šą  ąAnd€are€you€resting€your€dependence€on€the€wretched€foundation€of€your€own€goodness?€IŠ d Šmust€tell€you,€while€you€despise€Godššs€way,€you€will€never€be€able€to€climb€to€heaven€in€your€ownŠ Pģ Šway.€All€your€virtues€will€not€atone€for€one€of€your€vices.€Your€scheme€of€religion€makes€void€theŠ <Ų Šrighteousness,€the€sacrifice,€and€the€grace€of€Jesus€Christ,€and€therefore€must€assuredly€fall;€and€ifŠ ( Ä Šyou€cling€to€it,€you€must€fall€with€it.€Then,€how€dreadful€it€will€be,€to€behold€a€frown€on€the€face€ofŠ  ° Šthe€Judge,€when€you€are€expecting€a€welcome€into€the€habitations€of€glory.Š  œ ŠĢą0  ąą0` (#(#ąDeceitful€views€of€future€bliss,€farewell!€ŠŲ t` (#` (# Šą0  ąą0` (#(#ąYouššll€read€your€sentence€at€the€flames€of€hell.€ŠÄ `` (#` (# ŠĢą  ąYou€are€mistaken€in€supposing€your€good€works€will€buy€you€a€place€in€paradise.€ChristŠ œ8  Šdoes€not€save€men€by€halves.€God€will€not€barter€away€eternal€blessedness,€for€any€thing€that€isŠ ˆ$  Šoffered€by€your€hands.€ņņI€tell€you€my;€but€except€ye€repent,€ye€shall€all€likewise€perish.€óóYour€mindsŠ t  Šmust€be€changed,€and€your€hearts€renewed,€or€you€are€utterly€undone.€Surely€with€one€grain€ofŠ `ü  Šcommon€sense,€and€one€ray€of€light€from€above,€you€may€know€a€truth€so€plain,€as€the€necessity€ofŠ Lč  Šdeep€repentance.€What€idiot€is€there,€as€one€well€observes,€who€cannot€perceive€the€differenceŠ 8Ō  Šbetween€a€shadow€and€a€substance?€And€do€you€mistake€the€form€of€godliness€for€the€power€of€it?Š $Ą ŠCan€yon€really€believe€that€a€fine€varnish€will€recommend€a€filthy€vessel?€Are€you€so€stupid€as€toŠ ¬ Šexpect€you€shall€enjoy€the€kernel,€when€you€sit€down€contented€with€the€empty€shell?€It€was€in€vainŠ ü˜ Šfor€that€false€prophet,€Balaam,€to€cry,€ņņLet€me€die€the€death€of€the€righteous!€óóHeaven€was€never€yetŠ č„ Šgained€by€an€idle€wish!€And€as€Balaam,€at€that€very€time,€was€following€the€wages€ofŠ Ōp Šunrighteousness,€though€he€uttered€such€fair€words,€he€was€quite€as€unfit€for€the€perfect€bliss€ofŠ Ą\ Šsaints€and€angels,€as€the€dumb€ass€which€reproved€him€for€his€folly€and€madness.€Think€then€of€theŠ ¬H Šholiness€and€majesty€of€God.€Try€yourselves€by€the€standard€of€the€divine€law.€Beware€of€that€closeŠ ˜4 Šlurking€traitor€in€your€own€bosom,€sin.€Pray€for€the€Spirit€of€God€to€shew€you€the€depths€of€yourŠ „  Šdepravity.€Every€true€penitent,€like€the€poor€prodigal,€must€first€come€to€himself,€or€he€will€neverŠ p  Šthink€of€coming€to€the€Father€of€mercies.€He€must€see€his€nakedness,€and€feel€his€wants,€or€he€willŠ \ų Šnot€be€clothed€with€the€richly€wrought€robe€of€the€Saviourššs€righteousness,€and€welcomed€to€theŠ Hä Šfeast€of€gospel€blessings.€He€must€confess€and€forsake€his€sins,€or€he€cannot€enjoy€pardon€andŠ 4 Š Šreconciliation.Š  !¼ Šą  ąRepentance€is€immediately€necessary.Š  "Ø Šą  ąThere€is€a€natural€disposition€in€all€men€to€put€far€away€those€great€concerns,€which€oughtŠ ų"” Šever€to€be€near€their€hearts.€What€they€cannot€deny€to€be€necessary,€they€contrive€to€delay.€WhenŠ ä#€  ŠGod€sent€his€messages€to€Israel€by€the€prophet€Ezekiel,€they€said,€ņņThe€vision€that€he€seeth€is€for€manyŠ Š$l! Šdays€to€come,€and€he€prophesieth€of€times€that€are€far€off.€óóEzekiel€12:27.€And€when€you€hear€ofŠ ¼%X" Šrepentance€towards€God,€and€faith€towards€our€Lord€Jesus€Christ,€you€are€probably€ready€to€own,Š Ø&D # Šthat€they€are€necessary,€but€when?€Not€yet,€it€will€be€soon€enough€in€old€age,€or€on€a€deathbed.€ButŠ ”'0!$ Šwhat€makes€you€think€so€I€can€venture€to€declare,€by€what€steps€you€have€been€led€to€this€conclusion.Š €("% ŠYou€presume€on€a€long€life,€on€the€mercy€of€God,€and€on€the€ground,€of€a€few€examples€of€lateŠ l)#& Šrepentance.€Š X*ō#' Šą  ąYou€delay€repentance,€by€presuming,€that€you€shall€yet€live€many€years.Š D+ą$( Šą  ąThere€was€an€idiot€in€the€city€of€Athens,€who€counted€all€the€ships€that€entered€the€port,€andŠ 0,Ģ%) Šcalled€them€his€own.€Poor€creature!€from€his€want€of€understanding,€he€was€to€be€pitied,€rather€thanŠ d Šblamed.€But€if€you€confidently€count€those€years€your€own,€which€are€yet€in€the€hand€of€God,€youŠ Pģ Šare€chargeable€with€the€grossest€folly,€and€are€without€excuse.€What€assurance€have€you€of€a€longŠ <Ų Šlife?€Has€God€sealed€you€a€lease,€or€sent€you€a€promise,€of€thirty,€twenty,€or€seven€years€to€come?Š ( Ä ŠIt€may€be,€you€are€young,€healthy,€and€vigorous,€but€are€you€sure€of€a€single€day?€Do€you€not€seeŠ  ° Šinnumerable€diseases,€vanquishing€all€the€power€of€medicine?€And€what€are€these,€but€theŠ  œ Šforerunners€and€messengers€of€death?€Do€you€not€see€your€fellow€creatures,€of€every€age€and€rank,Š ģ ˆ Šsuddenly€swept€into€eternity?€And€who€knows€but€some€fatal€disease€may€in€a€few€days€seize€yourŠ Ų t Šframe,€or€some€direful€accident€cut€you€off€in€a€moment?€š šWe€must,šš€said€Bishop€Taylor,€š štake€ourŠ Ä ` Šwater,€as€out€of€a€torrent€and€sudden€shower,€which€will€quickly€cease€dropping€from€above,€andŠ °L  Šrunning€in€our€channels€below.šš€O€how€brittle€is€the€tie€that€holds€you€in€life!€And€when€that€slenderŠ œ8  Šbond€is€broken,€you€will€be€instantly€in€eternity!€ņņTo-day,€if€ye€will€hear€his€voice,€harden€not€yourŠ ˆ$  Šhearts.€óóHebrews€3:7.€Will€you€dare€to€contradict€the€Majesty€of€heaven?€When€God€says€to-day,€willŠ t  Šyou€say€to-morrow?€Will€you€hearken€to€the€voice€of€any€flatterer,€rather€than€to€the€voice€of€yourŠ `ü  ŠCreator,€Redeemer,€and€Judge?€If€you€still€turn€away€the€faithful€warnings€and€kind€invitations€ofŠ Lč  ŠGod,€how€justly€may€he€swear€in€his€wrath,€that€you€shall€not€enter€into€his€rest.€You€are€probablyŠ 8Ō  Švery€earnest€and€active€in€the€things€of€this€world,€while€you€are€so€careless€and€dilatory€concerningŠ $Ą Šthe€world€to€come.€Think€what€will€be€your€views€of€such€conduct€in€a€dying€hour.Š ¬ Šą  ąThat€great€and€far€famed€scholar€Grotius,€on€his€death-bed,€spoke€thus,šš€Ah!€I€haveŠ ü˜ Šconsumed€my€life,€in€a€laborious€doing€of€nothing!€I€would€give€all€my€learning€and€honour,€for€theŠ č„ Šplain€integrity€of€John€Urick!šš€This€John€Urick€was€a€religious€poor€man,€who€spent€eight€hours€ofŠ Ōp Šthe€day€in€reading€and€prayer,€eight€in€labour,€and€only€eight€in€sleep€and€meals.€Salmatius,€anotherŠ Ą\ Šlearned€man,€when€about€to€die,€cried€out€bitterly€against€himself,€saying,šš€Oh€!€I€have€lost€a€worldŠ ¬H Šof€time!€time,€the€most€precious€thing€in€the€world!€If€I€had€but€one€year€more€it€should€be€spent€inŠ ˜4 Šreading€Davidššs€Psalms€and€Paulššs€Epistles!€Ohšš,€said€he€to€his€friends,€š šmind€the€world€less,€andŠ „  ŠGod€more.ššŠ p  Šą  ąAnd€do€you€talk€of€delaying€repentance€to€future€years?€The€ship€should€be€repaired€beforeŠ \ų Šit€puts€to€sea,€for€it€is€difficult€to€keep€it€from€sinking,€when€the€storm€comes.€Repent€and€believeŠ Hä Šin€health,€sickness€is€not€a€time€to€begin.€Are€your€present€pleasures€so€highly€prized,€that€youŠ 4 Š Šdetermine€to€risk€the€loss€of€the€soul,€rather€than€leave€them?€Have€you€time€for€every€thing,€exceptŠ  !¼ Šthe€one€thing€needful?€ņņWhat€is€your€life;€it€is€even€a€vapour,€that€appeareth€for€a€little€while€and€thenŠ  "Ø Švanisheth€away.€óóHearken€then€to€the€serious€and€urgent€admonition€of€the€apostle,€who€introducesŠ ų"” Šit€with€a€double€note€of€attention€to€fix€your€thoughts€upon€it.€ņņBehold!€now€is€the€accepted€time!Š ä#€  Šbehold!€now€is€the€day€of€salvation.€óó2€Corinthians€6:2.Š Š$l! Šą  ąYou€delay€repentance,€by€presuming€on€the€mercy€of€God.Š ¼%X" Šą  ąThis€I€believe€is€a€very€common€case.€When€we€tell€men€of€their€sins,€and€point€out€theŠ Ø&D # Šdanger€that€lies€before€them,€they€cry,€God€is€merciful,€and€therefore,€if€we€repent,€we€shall€beŠ ”'0!$ Špardoned€at€last.€Now€I€acknowledge€that€redeeming€mercy€is€a€most€charming€sound.€The€mercyŠ €("% Šof€God€reaches€to€the€heavens.€The€mercy€of€God€is€the€wonder€of€angels,€and€ought€to€be€the€songŠ l)#& Šof€mortals.€ņņIt€is€of€the€Lordššs€mercies€that€we€are€not€consumed,€because€his€compassions€fail€not,Š X*ō#' Šbut€are€new€to€us€every€morning.€óóLamentations€3:22.€But€can€any€thing€be€more€base,€than€to€makeŠ D+ą$( Šthis€a€plea€to€justify€rebellion,€and€to€persist€in€it?€What€would€you€think€of€a€man,€who€year€afterŠ 0,Ģ%) Šyear,€should€provoke€and€injure€his€best€friends,€because€he€still€hoped,€through€their€great€kindness,Š d Što€be€forgiven€and€again€received€into€favour?€€But€no€comparison€can€sufficiently€set€forth€theŠ Pģ Šshameful€ingratitude€of€those€who€abuse€the€forbearance€and€long-suffering€of€God,€and€continueŠ <Ų Što€sin€that€grace€may€abound.€Every€day€we€may€behold€the€truth€of€Solomonššs€words,€ņņBecauseŠ ( Ä Šsentence€against€an€evil€work€is€not€executed€speedily,€therefore€the€hearts€of€the€sons€of€men€areŠ  ° Šfully€set€in€them€to€do€evil.€óóThey€take€their€reprieve€for€a€release.€If€indeed€God€is€long€in€whettingŠ  œ Šthe€sword€of€vengeance,€will€he€never€strike€the€fatal€blow?€If€the€storm€be€long€gathering,€will€itŠ ģ ˆ Šnever€burst?€An€hundred€and€twenty€years€the€patience€of€God€waited€in€the€days€of€Noah,€but€at€theŠ Ų t Šlast€the€flood€came.€And€do€you,€reader,€make€divine€mercy€a€plea€to€encourage€you€in€sin€andŠ Ä ` Špresumption!€Let€me€beg€your€attention€to€the€forcible€and€solemn€language€of€the€apostle.€ņņThinkestŠ °L  Šthou,€O€man,€that€thou€shalt€escape€the€judgment€of€God?€Or€despisest€thou€the€riches€of€hisŠ œ8  Šgoodness,€and€forbearance,€and€long-sufferings€not€knowing€that€the€goodness€of€God€leadeth€theeŠ ˆ$  Što€repentance?€But€after€thy€hardness€and€impenitent€heart,€treasurest€unto€thyself€wrath€againstŠ t  Šthe€day€of€wrath,€and€revelation€of€the€righteous€judgment€of€God.€óóRomans€2:4„5.€Every€word€in€thisŠ `ü  Šremarkable€scripture€is€a€strong€and€faithful€appeal€to€the€conscience.€What!€do€you€regard€smallŠ Lč  Šfavours€from€men,€and€dare€you€reject,€or€abuse€the€riches€of€Godššs€abounding€mercy?€Does€thatŠ 8Ō  Šgoodness€which€should€lead€you€to€repentance,€strengthen€and€harden€you€in€wickedness?€If€you€goŠ $Ą Šon,€perverting€the€gospel,€and€thus,€as€the€prophet€speaks,€ņņturning€blessings€into€curses,€óówhat€willŠ ¬ Šbe€the€consequence?€The€riches€of€divine€goodness,€which€you€now€despise,€will€be€whollyŠ ü˜ Šwithdrawn;€and€the€treasures€of€wrath,€which€you€are€laying€up,€will€be€your€only€and€eternal€portion.€Š č„ Šą  ąYou€delay€repentance,€from€a€presumption,€built€upon€remarkable€instances€of€lateŠ Ōp Šconversion.Š Ą\ Šą  ąThere€certainly€have€been€some€awakened€in€the€evening€of€their€day,€so€late€as€the€eleventhŠ ¬H Šhour;€but€compared€with€the€number€of€those€who€die€much€in€the€same€careless€and€hardened€stateŠ ˜4 Šthey€live,€such€examples€are€very€rare.€It€sometimes€happens,€in€a€dreadful€shipwreck,€that€two€orŠ „  Šthree€are€preserved,€when€hundreds€are€buried€in€the€deep.€But€you€may€say,€was€not€the€penitentŠ p  Šthief€converted€and€pardoned€on€the€cross?€Yes,€and€it€was€both€a€wonderful€display€of€infiniteŠ \ų Šmercy,€and€an€undeniable€proof€of€the€virtue€of€that€precious€atoning€blood€which€Jesus€was€thenŠ Hä Šshedding€at€his€side.€But€the€case€of€the€penitent€thief€was€singular.€Life€and€peace€entered€his€soul,Š 4 Š Šwhile€agony€and€death€were€racking€and€oppressing€his€body.€We€have€one€such€instance,€that€noneŠ  !¼ Šmight€despair;€and€but€one€such€in€the€whole€Bible,€that€none€might€presume.€And€do€you€hence€takeŠ  "Ø Šencouragement€to€give€the€prime€of€your€days,€and€the€vigour€of€your€strength€to€the€service€of€sin,Š ų"” Šand€reserve€only€the€droppings€and€dregs€of€life€to€the€concerns€of€religion?€After€obstinatelyŠ ä#€  Špersevering€for€a€long€course€of€years,€in€rebellion€against€God,€do€you€expect€he€will€work€a€miracleŠ Š$l! Što€convert€and€save€you€in€your€last€moments?€Can€you€think€of€remaining€in€a€state€of€impenitenceŠ ¼%X" Šand€condemnation,€till€the€wasted€taper€of€life€is€sunk€in€the€socket,€and€on€the€point€of€beingŠ Ø&D # Šextinguished€by€the€blast€of€Godššs€displeasure?€And€besides,€there€is€little€dependence€to€be€placedŠ ”'0!$ Šon€the€religion€which€begins€at€such€a€time.€It€is€a€true€saying€of€the€pious€Bishop€Hall,€š šThoughŠ €("% Šsincere€repentance€is€never€too€late,€late€repentance€is€seldom€sincere.ššŠ l)#& ŠņņóóI€shall€close€this€chapter€with€an€answer€to€two€objections.Š X*ō#' Šą  ąObjection€1.€You€labour€to€make€me€worse€than€I€.am,€and€give€a€gloomy€picture€of€misery,Š D+ą$( Šonly€.to€frighten€me.€Š 0,Ģ%) Šą  ąGod€forbid,€that€I€should€fancy€crimes,€and€then€fasten€them€on€your€character.€I€do€say,€thatŠ d Šsomething€better€is€necessary,€than€€that€cheap€outside€religion,€which€is€the€trust€of€the€proud€andŠ Pģ Šself-righteous.€Mere€decency€of€manners€may€gain€you€a€good€name€among€men;€but€real€holinessŠ <Ų Šof€heart€only€can€fit€you€for€the€presence€of€God.€Rest€not,€however,€on€my€word,€or€the€opinion€ofŠ ( Ä Šany€man,€but€search€the€word€of€God.€It€is€said,€there€is€not€a€just€man€upon€earth,€that€doeth€goodŠ  ° Šand€sinneth€not.€Now€if€you€are€a€transgressor,€you€need€pardon.€If€you€have€departed€from€God,€youŠ  œ Šmust€be€converted.€If€heavenššs€pure€and€everlasting€joys€are€to€be€desired,€or€hellššs€fiery€and€eternalŠ ģ ˆ Štorments€are€to€be€dreaded,€repentance€is€absolutely€necessary.€Say€not,€this€is€a€harsh€subject.€AsŠ Ų t Šthere€are€some€dangerous€sweets,€so€there€are€some€wholesome€bitters.€It€is€better€you€should€receiveŠ Ä ` Štruth,€though€it€may€be€painful,€than€error€mixed€with€the€most€pleasant€ingredients.€And€besidesŠ °L  Šdirecting€you€to€the€word€of€God,€I€would€entreat€you€to€examine€your€own€heart.€Let€the€importantŠ œ8  Šcause€be€tried€fully€and€fairly€in€the€court€of€conscience.€A€thousand€witnesses,€if€they€may€but€haveŠ ˆ$  Ša€hearing,€will€rise€up€within,€and€condemn€you;€and€as€long€as€you€are€under€the€law,€convicted€asŠ t  Ša€transgressor,€the€wrath€of€God€follows€you€wherever€you€go,€mingles€in€all€you€possess,€and€marksŠ `ü  Šyou€as€a€victim€devoted€to€destruction.€ņņCursed€shalt€thou€be€in€the€city,€and€cursed€in€the€field;Š Lč  Šcursed€shall€be€thy€basket€and€thy€store.€The€heavens€shall€reveal€thine€iniquity,€and€the€earth€shallŠ 8Ō  Šrise€up€against€thee.€óóŠ $Ą Šą  ąObjection€2.€The€severe€doctrine€you€teach,€will€drive€me€to€despair.Š ¬ Šą  ąAlthough€God€has€commanded€all€men€every€where€to€repent,€many€seem€to€think€us€cruel?Š ü˜ Šwhen€we€insist€upon€it.€When€one€vain€objection€after€another€is€answered,€and€the€awful€truthŠ č„ Šbrought€home€with€many€a€vigorous€charge€upon€the€conscience,€they€lose€all€patience€under€suchŠ Ōp Šplain€dealing.€We€cannot€repent,€say€they,€of€ourselves,€and€why€then€urge€us€to€it?€Will€it€be€anyŠ Ą\ Šbenefit€to€drive€us€to€despair?€I€do€wish€to€make€you€despair€of€finding€safety€or€peace€in€a€life€ofŠ ¬H Šsin.€It€would€be€well€did€you€despair€of€attaining€heaven€by€your€own€strength,€or€merit,€for€thisŠ ˜4 Šwould€be€the€beginning€of€solid€hope.€Luther,€in€one€of€his€books,€says,€š š€God€hath€assuredlyŠ „  Špromised€his€favour€to€the€truly€humble.€By€the€truly€humble,€I€mean€those€who€are€endued€withŠ p  Šrepentance,€and€a€despair€of€saving€themselves;€for€a€man€can€never€be€said€to€be€really€penitent€andŠ \ų Šhumble,€till€he€be€made€to€know€that€his€salvation€is€not€suspended€in€any€measure€whatever,€on€hisŠ Hä Šown€strength,€endeavours,€free-will,€or€works;€but€entirely€depends€on€the€free€pleasure€and€purposeŠ 4 Š Šof€God.šš€You€can€do€nothing€of€yourself,€but€is€the€hand€of€the€Lord€shortened,€that€it€cannot€save,Š  !¼ Šor€his€ear€heavy,€that€it€cannot€hear?€Your€native€springs€are€all€dry,€but€is€there€not€a€fountain€ofŠ  "Ø Šgrace,€a€river€that€makes€glad€the€city€of€God?€You€are€as€destitute€and€helpless€as€the€prodigal€son,Š ų"” Šbut€is€our€heavenly€Fatherššs€house€empty?€No,€in€Christ,€there€is€a€never-failing€fulness.€MillionsŠ ä#€  Šdaily€draw€their€supplies€from€it,€and€should€millions€more€come,€yet€still€there€will€be€enough€andŠ Š$l! Što€spare.€With€all€my€heart,€I€desire€you€may€become€a€partaker€of€these€blessings.€It€would€be€kind,Š ¼%X" Šsaith€one,€if€you€saw€a€man€trying€to€swim€over€the€sea,€to€make€him€despair€of€an€attempt€so€foolish,Š Ø&D # Šwhen€you€could€lead€him€to€a€vessel€ready€to€receive€and€convey€him€with€safety.€In€like€mannerŠ ”'0!$ Šwould€I€make€you€despair€of€happiness€in€the€world,€or€help€in€yourself,€that€I€may€lead€you€to€theŠ €("% Šhope€of€the€gospel.Š l)#& ŠĢßA€^ ) °°` dE<C+` Aߊ D+ą$( ŠŌ’ŌŌ‡ JMXXŌņ ņŠ S+ļ$) Šó óŌ#†Xį˜X JM& #ŌŌ’ ŌÓ  ÓŌ_ŌCHAPTER€IV.Š d ŠĢņņOn€the€Means€of€Promoting€Repentance.€óóŠ <Ų ŠÓ— ÓĢņņVerily,€verily,€I€say€unto€you,€whosoever€committeth€sin€is€the€servant€of€sin.€óóJohn€8:34.€This€isŠ  ° Šconstantly€seen€in€the€world.€Every€man,€in€his€natural€state,€yields€himself€to€sin.€All€his€senses,Š  œ Šmembers€and€faculties,€are€its€handmaids€and€ministers.€The€eye€watches€for€it;€the€ear€listens€to€it;Š ģ ˆ Šthe€tongue€pleads,€and€the€hands€toil€for€it!€Fancy€is€the€painter€that€draws€its€pictures;€memory€isŠ Ų t Šthe€recorder€that€keeps€its€secrets;€the€will€is€its€charioteer,€that€drives€furiously€through€all€restraints;Š Ä ` Šthe€passions€and€appetites€are€the€providers€that€hunt€for€its€prey.€And€how€can€you€be€deliveredŠ °L  Šfrom€this€hard€master€and€all€its€miseries?€ņņIf€the€Son€make€you€free,€you€shall€be€free€indeed!€óóJohnŠ œ8  Šviii.€36.€He€can€loose€you,€and€let€you€go;€raise€you,€and€renew€your€mind€;€but€no€other€can.€TheŠ ˆ$  Šapostle€Peter€told€the€Jews,€that€ņņGod€had€raised€up€that€Jesus€whom€they€had€crucified,€as€a€PrinceŠ t  Šand€a€Saviour,€to€give€repentance€to€Israel€and€forgiveness€of€sins.€óóActs€5:31.€From€these€words€itŠ `ü  Šis€evident,€that€the€change€which€I€have€proved€to€be€absolutely€necessary,€is€an€effect€flowing€fromŠ Lč  Šthe€free€grace€of€God.€Man€can€fill€the€measure€of€his€sins,€but€not€empty€it.€He€can€plunge€himselfŠ 8Ō  Šinto€guilt€and€misery;€but€it€requires€an€Almighty€arm€to€draw€him€out€again.€ņņO,€Israel!€thou€hastŠ $Ą Šdestroyed€thyself;€but€in€me€is€thy€help€found.€óóPride€and€self-sufficiency€are€some€among€the€manyŠ ¬ Šproofs€and€effects€of€our€fallen€and€depraved€state.€It€has€been€well€observed,€that€š š€the€first€acts€ofŠ ü˜ Šsin€are€like€single€drops€of€water,€which,€rapidly€following€one€another,€soon€gather€into€a€stream;Š č„ Šand€that€stream€at€last€swells€into€a€torrent,€and€sweeps€away€all€before€it.šš€Yet,€most€men,€thoughŠ Ōp Šthey€cannot€be€prevailed€upon€to€restrain€the€first€drops,€vainly€imagine€they€are€able€to€stop€theŠ Ą\ Šrolling€flood.€As€they€are€not€aware€of€the€strength€of€sin,€they€think€it€will€be€an€easy€matter€toŠ ¬H Šrepent,€whenever€they€please.€Dr.€Preston€says,€š š€A€man€might€as€soon€make,€out€of€a€clod€of€earth,Š ˜4 Ša€shining€star,€as€turn€the€carnal€and€dead€heart€into€the€image€of€God!šš€ņņCan€the€Ethiopian€changeŠ „  Šhis€skin,€or€the€leopard€his€spots?€then€may€ye€also€do€good€that€are€accustomed€to€do€evil.€óóJeremiahŠ p  Š13:23.€That€bold€blasphemer€and€fierce€persecutor,€Saul€of€Tarsus,€was€converted€and€pardoned€!Š \ų Šbut€did€he€ascribe€the€change€to€his€own€power?€No!€he€says,€ņņThe€grace€of€our€Lord€was€exceedingŠ Hä Šabundant,€with€faith€and€love,€which€is€in€Christ€Jesus.€This€is€a€faithful€saying,€and€worthy€of€allŠ 4 Š Šacceptation,€that€Jesus€Christ€came€into€the€world€to€save€sinners,€of€whom€I€am€chief.€óó1€TimothyŠ  !¼ Š1:14„15.Š  "Ø Šą  ąThe€great€Redeemer€sends€his€Spirit€to€open€the€fountain€of€repentance€in€the€heart.€ThisŠ ų"” Šblessing€we€possess€in€virtue€of€his€death€and€intercession.€It€is€the€special€office€of€the€Holy€SpiritŠ ä#€  Što€convince€the€world€of€sin,€of€righteousness,€and€of€judgment.€That€true€repentance€flows€from€theŠ Š$l! Šgrace€and€power€of€the€Holy€Spirit,€is€manifest€from€every€part€of€the€Old€and€New€Testaments.€ItŠ ¼%X" Šis€expressed€in€various€ways,€to€give€us€the€strongest€assurance€of€the€fact.€I€shall€not€now€mentionŠ Ø&D # Šmany€passages;€suffice€it€to€produce€one:€š"š€€ņņAnd€I€will€give€them,€one€heart€and€I€will€put€a€newŠ ”'0!$ Šspirit€within€them;€and€I€will€take€away€the€stony€heart€out€of€their€flesh,€and€will€give€them€an€heartŠ €("% Šof€flesh.€óóEzra€2:9.€š šA€stone€(saith€one)€is€cold,€unyielding,€insensible!€Strike€it.€it€resists€the€blow!Š l)#& ŠLay€upon€it€a€burden,€it€perceives€no€pressure!€Apply€a€seal,€it€receives€no€impression!šš€Such€is€theŠ X*ō#' Šheart€of€man,€hardened€in€sin!€But€when€the€sweet€promise,€which€I€have€just€repeated,€is€fulfilled,Š D+ą$( Šthis€stupid€senselessness€gives€place€to€tenderness.Š 0,Ģ%) Šą  ąHere€it€may€be€said,€š šIf€repentance€is€a€gift€and€an€effect€of€the€Holy€Spirit,€how€can€it€be€aŠ d Šduty?€Why€are€we€exhorted€to€repent€and€return€to€God?šš€To€this€I€answer,€the€command€of€GodŠ Pģ Šmakes€it€our€duty;€and€the€promise€of€God€supplies€the€grace€that€is€necessary.€I€should€think€it€cruelŠ <Ų Šmockery€to€urge€you€to€repent,€if€there€were€no€provision€of€mercy€š"š€no€way€of€salvation.€But€thereŠ ( Ä Šis€every€reason€to€call€men€to€repentance,€while€God€grants€the€grace€of€repentance,€in€the€use€of€hisŠ  ° Šown€appointed€means.€Our€Lord€says,€ņņLabour€not€for€the€meat€which€perisheth,€but€for€that€meatŠ  œ Šwhich€endureth€to€eternal€life,€which€the€Son€of€man€shall€give€unto€you.€óóJohn€6:27.€Though€it€is€theŠ ģ ˆ Šgift€of€Christ,€we€are€commanded€to€labour€for€it.€In€the€same€way€do€the€scriptures€speak€ofŠ Ų t Šrepentance,€as€both€a€duty€and€a€privilege.Š Ä ` Šą  ąI€shall€now€point€out€some€of€the€chief€means€which€the€Spirit€is€pleased€to€use€for€producingŠ °L  Šrepentance.€€First,Š œ8  Šą  ąThe€reading€of€the€holy€scriptures,€and€other€good€books.Š ˆ$  Šą  ąEliphaz€gives€this€useful€advice:€ņņAcquaint€now€thyself€with€God,€and€be€at€peace;€therebyŠ t  Šgood€shall€come€unto€thee.€Receive,€1€pray€thee,€the€law€from€his€mouth,€and€lay€up€his€words€in€thyŠ `ü  Šheart.€óóJob€22:21„22.€There€can€be€no€proper€knowledge€of€ourselves,€without€an€acquaintance€withŠ Lč  ŠGod,€and€no€right€acquaintance€with€God,€but€by€his€word.€The€scripture€is€a€glass€in€which€we€mayŠ 8Ō  Šsee€our€spots€and€blemishes.€I€do€not€wonder€that€the€popish€priests€should€try€to€prevent€the€peopleŠ $Ą Šfrom€reading€the€Bible;€for€they€wished€them€to€remain€in€ignorance€and€stupidity.€ņņBy€the€law€óó(saysŠ ¬ ŠPaul)€ņņis€the€knowledge€of€sin.€óóIt€shows€us€both€its€deep€roots€and€bitter€fruits;€it€discovers€theŠ ü˜ Špoisonous€serpent€hid€among€the€flowers.€The€word€of€God€is€ņņa€discerner€of€the€thoughts€and€intentsŠ č„ Šof€the€heart.€óóš šIt€can€come€(as€Gurnall€says)€where€no€search€warrant€from€a€magistrate€can€enter.ššŠ Ōp ŠWhen€accompanied€by€the€power€of€the€Spirit,€a€thousand€doors,€with€as€many€locks€and€bolts€ofŠ Ą\ Šprejudice€and€aversion,€cannot€hinder€it€from€forcing€a€passage€into€the€soul.€It€lays€hold€of€the€will,Š ¬H Šand€bends€it€to€compliance;€and€then,€every€thing€else€gives€way.€Reader!€take€the€law€of€God€intoŠ ˜4 Šthy€hand.€How€readest€thou?€Examine€carefully€every€precept.€ņņThou€shalt€love€the€Lord€thy€God€withŠ „  Šall€thy€heart,€and€with€all€thy€mind,€and€with€all€thy€strength.€óóWhen€you€fix€your€attention€on€thisŠ p  Šsingle€command,€do€you€not€begin€to€falter?€Have€you€not€cause€to€cry€out,šš€Alas!€instead€of€lovingŠ \ų Šthe€Lord€with€all€my€heart,€living€continually€in€his€fear€and€longing€for€the€enjoyment€of€hisŠ Hä Špresence,€God€has€scarcely€been€in€all€my€thoughts?Š 4 Š Šą  ąThe€reading€of€the€holy€scriptures€may€be€safely€recommended,€as€a€means€the€most€suitableŠ  !¼ Što€produce€repentance.€ņņIs€not€my€word€like€as€a€fire,€saith€the€Lord?€and€like€a€hammer€that€breakethŠ  "Ø Šthe€rock€in€pieces?€óóJeremiah€23:22.€There€is€no€metal€which€this€fire€is€not€able€to€melt€and€separateŠ ų"” Šfrom€dross;€there€is€no€adamant€which€this€hammer€has€not€force€enough€to€break!€Cyprian€wasŠ ä#€  Šconverted€by€reading€the€Book€of€Jonah!€and€Junius,€by€the€first€chapter€of€John.Š Š$l! Šą  ąSometimes€a€single€stroke€of€this€hammer,€a€remarkable€passage,€directed€by€some€particularŠ ¼%X" Šprovidence,€and€applied€by€the€Spirit€of€God,€has€penetrated€the€sinnerššs€heart,€and€humbled€him€atŠ Ø&D # Šthe€feet€of€Jesus.Š ”'0!$ Šą  ąš šIn€Oliver€Cromwellššs€army€every€soldier€had€a€Bible.€Among€the€rest,€there€was€one€wild,Š €("% Šwicked€young€man,€who€ran€away€from€his€apprenticeship€in€London,€for€the€sake€of€plunder€andŠ l)#& Šdissipation.€Being€one€day€ordered€out€upon€a€skirmishing€party,€or€to€attack€some€fortress,€heŠ X*ō#' Šreturned€to€his€quarters€in€the€evening€without€hurt.€When€he€was€going€to€bed,€pulling€the€Bible€outŠ D+ą$( Šof€his€pocket,€he€observed€a€hole€in€it.€He€traced€the€depth€of€the€hole,€and€found€the€bullet€had€goneŠ 0,Ģ%) Šas€far€as€the€eleventh€chapter€of€Ecclesiastes,€and€the€ninth€verse:€ņņRejoice,€O€young€man,€in€thyŠ d Šyouth,€and€let€thy€heart€cheer€thee€in€the€days€of€thy€youth,€and€walk€in€the€ways€of€thine€heart,€andŠ Pģ Šin€the€sight€of€thine€eyes;€but€know€thou,€that,€for€all€these€things,€God€will€bring€thee€into€judgment!Š <Ų ŠóóThe€words€were€set€home€upon€his€heart€by€the€Holy€Spirit,€so€that€he€became€a€very€serious€believerŠ ( Ä Šin€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ;€and€used€pleasantly€to€observe,€that€the€Bible€was€the€means€of€saving€hisŠ  ° Šsoul€and€his€body€too.ššŠ  œ Šą  ąThere€are€many€valuable€books€on€religious€subjects,€which€have€been€blessed€of€God€asŠ ģ ˆ Šinstruments€for€awakening€thoughtless,€proud,€and€profligate€sinners.€Vergerious€was€a€violentŠ Ų t Špapist,€and€he€set€about€reading€the€protestant€books€on€purpose€to€confute€them:€but€the€light€brokeŠ Ä ` Šin€upon€his€mind,€and€he€became€a€firm€Protestant€and€a€sincere€Christian.€Colonel€Gardiner€had€aŠ °L  Šbook€slipped€into€his€box€by€his€aunt,€or€good€mother.€As€the€title€of€it€was,€š š€Heaven€taken€byŠ œ8  Šstorm,šš€his€curiosity€was€stirred;€and€he€took€it€up,€just€to€pass€away€an€idle€hour,€and€it€was€theŠ ˆ$  Šmeans€of€his€conversion!€That€promising€and€pious€young€man,€the€late€Henry€Kirke€White,€who€hadŠ t  Šspent€some€years€in€infidelity,€was€brought€to€Christ€by€reading€š š€Scottššs€Force€of€Truth.šš€I€could,Š `ü  Šwithout€much€difficulty,€mention€other€instances.€How€many€will€have€reason€forever€to€bless€GodŠ Lč  Šfor€such€books€as€š šOwen€on€Indwelling€Sin;šš€š šAlleinššs€Alarm,šš€and€š š€Baxterššs€Call€to€theŠ 8Ō  ŠUnconverted?šš€The€last€mentioned€book€was€once€the€instrument€of€converting€six€brothers!Š $Ą Šą  ąThe€preaching€of€the€gospel€is€another€means€of€producing€repentance.Š ¬ Šą  ąWhen,€the€apostles€went€forth€to€preach€the€glad€tidings€of€pardon€and€peace€to€guilty€men,Š ü˜ Šwhat€multitudes€became€obedient€to€the€faith!€It€might€well€be€said,€in€the€words€of€the€prophet,€ņņWhoŠ č„ Šare€these€that€fly€as€a€cloud,š"šas€doves€to€their€windows?€óóIn€every€age,€the€ministry€of€the€word€hasŠ Ōp Šbeen€made€the€means€of€turning€men€from€the€errors€and€evils€of€the€world,€to€the€service€of€the€trueŠ Ą\ ŠGod.€Though€the€light„minded€and€self-conceited€have€treated€it€with€contempt,€the€Lord€of€heavenŠ ¬H Šand€earth€has€crowned€it€with€a€blessing.€ņņIt€has€pleased€God,€by€the€foolishness€of€preaching€to€saveŠ ˜4 Šthem€that€believe.€óó1€Corinthians€1:21.Š „  Šą  ąGod€has€devised€a€way€to€bring€banished€sinners€back€to€himself.€He€has€settled€a€covenantŠ p  Šof€peace,€through€the€atoning€blood€of€Christ;€according€to€which€he€can€be€just€and€the€justifier€ofŠ \ų Ševery€one€that€believeth€in€Jesus.€This€he€has€written€in€his€word,€sealed€by€his€Spirit,€and€sent€byŠ Hä Šhis€ministers.€It€is€not€the€business€of€a€preacher€to€entertain€men€with€novelties,€or€sooth€them€withŠ 4 Š Šflatteries;€but€to€shew€them€the€way€of€salvation.€Ministers€are€compared€to€watchmen.€Ezra€3:17.Š  !¼ ŠIt€is€the€duty€of€a€watchman€to€sound€an€alarm€in€time€of€danger.€In€this€office,€diligence€andŠ  "Ø Šfaithfulness€are€necessary.€Suppose€a€fire€should€break€out€in€a€city,€and€the€watchmen€were€to€say,Š ų"” Šš š€Let€us€hope€it€will€soon€go€out€again,€or€not€spread€farš"šit€is€a€pity€to€disturb€the€people!šš€and€thusŠ ä#€  Šsuffer€the€flames€to€consume€both€the€houses€and€inhabitants;€would€they€not€be€guilty€of€the€bloodŠ Š$l! Šof€such€as€perished€by€their€negligence?€Every€faithful€minister€is€bound€to€lift€up€his€voice€as€aŠ ¼%X" Štrumpet,€and€tell€the€people€of€their€sins€and€transgressions;€whether€they€will€hear,€or€whether€theyŠ Ø&D # Šwill€forbear.€He€is€bound€to€give€them€warning,€and€cry€in€their€ears,€that€the€fire€of€wrath€is€kindledŠ ”'0!$ Šand€gathering€around€them.€Knowing€the€terrors€of€the€Lord,€he€labours€to€persuade€men€to€escapeŠ €("% Šfor€their€life,€lest€they€be€consumed.Š l)#& Šą  ąMinisters€are€ambassadors;€and€their€work€is€to€declare€the€whole€counsel€of€God,€to€displayŠ X*ō#' Šthe€unsearchable€riches€of€Christ,€and€to€explain€the€great€and€precious€promises.€With€a€thousandŠ D+ą$( Špowerful€arguments,€and€affectionate€entreaties,€they€address€themselves€to€the€understanding€andŠ 0,Ģ%) Šheart.€ņņNow€then€we€are€ambassadors€for€Christ,€as€though€God€did€beseech€you€by€us;€we€pray€youŠ d Šin€Christššs€stead,€be€ye€reconciled€to€God,€For€he€hath€made€him€to€be€sin€for€us€who€knew€no€sin;Š Pģ Šthat€we€might€be€made€the€righteousness€of€God€in€him.€óó2€Corinthians€5:20„21.Š <Ų Šą  ąThe€most€diligent€and€zealous€ministers€may€sometimes€be€discouraged,€and€cry€out,€ņņWhoŠ ( Ä Šhath€believed€our€report,€and€to€whom€hath€the€arm€of€the€Lord€been€revealed?€óóYet,€notwithstandingŠ  ° Šthis,€preaching€has€been€in€every€age€the€great€instrument€in€the€hand€of€God€for€the€conversion€ofŠ  œ Šprecious€souls.€If€the€servants€of€Christ,€for€a€long€while,€seem€to€labour€in€vain,€as€Peter€and€hisŠ ģ ˆ Šcompanions€in€fishing€toiled€all€night€and€caught€nothing;€when,€at€his€command,€they€put€down€theŠ Ų t Šnet€on€the€right€side€of€the€ship,€they€are€filled€with€amazement€and€joy€at€the€draught.€The€apostlesŠ Ä ` Šat€first€preached€repentance€with€very€little€success,€but€when€the€Spirit€was€poured€out€on€the€dayŠ °L  Šof€Pentecost,€Peterššs€sermon€was€so€effectual,€that€ņņthree€thousand€were€at€once€pricked€in€theirŠ œ8  Šhearts,€and€cried,€Men€and€brethren,€what€shall€we€do?€óóAt€the€Reformation,€when€Luther€inŠ ˆ$  ŠGermany,€Latimer€in€England,€and€Knox€in€Scotland,€began€plainly€and€powerfully€to€preach€theŠ t  Šgospel,€what€numbers€were€turned€from€darkness€to€light,€and€from€Satan€to€God?€And€in€later€times,Š `ü  Šhow€many€were€brought€to€repentance€by€the€zealous€labours€of€Elliot,€Brainerd,€Whitfield,€andŠ Lč  Šothers?€Mr.€Berridge€had€above€a€thousand€persons€who€applied€to€him€under€serious€impressionsŠ 8Ō  Šin€one€year,€most€of€them€awakened€by€his€own€preaching.€God€has€sent€us€the€treasure€of€gospelŠ $Ą Štruth,€not€that€it€should€be€shut€up€and€concealed€like€the€miserššs€gold,€but€freely€communicated€toŠ ¬ Šenrich€every€land,€and€bless€every€believer.€ņņBut€we€have€this€treasure€in€earthen€vessels,€that€theŠ ü˜ Šexcellency€of€the€power€may€be€of€God€and€not€of€us.óóŠ č„ Šą  ąAnother€means€for€producing€repentance,€is€the€use€of€prudent€counsels,€and€faithful,Š Ōp Šaffectionate€reproofs.Š Ą\ Šą  ąIt€is€certainly€the€work€of€God€to€bring€a€wandering€guilty€soul€to€himself,€but€he€employsŠ ¬H Švarious€instruments€for€this€end.€Reproofs€of€instruction,€says€Solomon,€are€the€way€of€life.€SomeŠ ˜4 Šhave€sat€unmoved€for€years,€under€the€most€searching€and€powerful€discourses€in€public,€who€haveŠ „  Šbeen€effectually€wrought€upon€by€a€few€words€of€kind€counsel€in€private.€Many€a€strong€castle,€thatŠ p  Šcould€not€be€forced€by€a€whole€battery€of€cannon,€has€been€approached€in€some€secret,€unobservedŠ \ų Šway,€and€suddenly€taken€by€surprise.€In€free,€familiar€conversation,€we€can€drop€a€word€of€warningŠ Hä Šor€advice,€at€the€fittest€time,€and€in€the€most€favourable€circumstances.€We€can€put€forth€a€parableŠ 4 Š Šlike€Nathan,€and€when€the€way€is€prepared,€bring€home€the€faithful€application,€ņņThou€art€the€man.Š  !¼ ŠóóThe€words€of€the€wise€are€as€€nails€and€as€goads,€fastened€by€the€masters€of€assemblies.€It€requiresŠ  "Ø Šboth€skill€and€care€so€to€urge€these€goads,€so€to€drive€and€rivet€these€nails,€that€they€may€rouse€butŠ ų"” Šnot€provoke,€and€leave€a€lasting€impression.€Private€Christians€may€in€this€way€become€useful€toŠ ä#€  Štheir€relations€and€friends,€and€even€to€strangers.€ņņHe€that€converteth€a€sinner€from€the€error€of€hisŠ Š$l! Šways,€shall€save€a€soul€from€death,€and€hide€a€multitude€of€sins.€óóSometimes€reproofs€andŠ ¼%X" Šadmonitions,€whether€given€by€ministers,€or€others,€are€attended€with€circumstances€so€remarkable,Š Ø&D # Šthat€the€hand€of€God€may€be€seen,€and€the€voice€of€God€heard,€to€make€them€effectual.€Mr.Š ”'0!$ ŠThoroughgood,€a€minister€in€the€days€of€Charles€II,€once€so€pointedly€reproved€swearing,€that€a€manŠ €("% Šwho€thought€himself€particularly€intended,€hid€himself€behind€a€hedge,€in€the€way€which€Mr.Š l)#& ŠThoroughgood€usually€took€in€going€to€preach€his€evening€lecture.€When€he€came€up€to€the€place,Š X*ō#' Šthe€man€who€intended€to€shoot€him,€levelled€his€gun€and€attempted€to€fire,€but€it€only€flashed€in€theŠ D+ą$( Špan.€The€next€week€he€went€to€the€same€place€to€renew€his€attack,€but€the€very€same€event€happened.Š 0,Ģ%) ŠThe€manššs€conscience€immediately€smote€him;€he€went€to€Mr.€Thoroughgood,€fell€on€his€knees,€andŠ d Šwith€tears€in€his€eyes€related€his€design€to€him,€and€asked€his€forgivenessšš€This€providence€was€theŠ Pģ Šmeans€of€his€conversion.Š <Ų Šą  ąAnother€means€for€producing€repentance€is€affliction.Š ( Ä Šą  ąGod€often€makes€the€ploughshare€of€calamity€break€up€the€stubborn€soil,€before€he€showersŠ  ° Šdown€his€softening€influences.€The€most€painful€events€are€sometimes€blessed€to€bring€men€to€aŠ  œ Šsense€of€their€sin€and€danger.€Of€all€the€kings€that€reigned€over€Judah,€there€was€none€so€wicked€asŠ ģ ˆ ŠManasseh;€he€was€not€only€guilty€of€the€most€gross€profaneness€and€vile€adultery,€but€he€also€madeŠ Ų t Šthe€streets€of€Jerusalem€to€run€with€blood,€and€cruelly€sacrificed€his€own€children€to€Moloch.€WhenŠ Ä ` Šhe€was€taken€captive€among€the€thorns,€he€was€pierced€to€the€heart,€cried€to€God,€humbled€himselfŠ °L  Šgreatly,€and€obtained€pardon.€2€Chronicles€33:11„12.€€He€had€been€a€daring€sinner,€and€now€becameŠ œ8  Ša€deep€mourner.€The€most€severe€affliction€which€brings€a€lost,€wandering€sinner€to€God,€may€beŠ ˆ$  Štruly€called€a€messenger€of€mercy.€How€many€have€had€reason€to€bless€God,€for€the€most€painful,Š t  Šbereaving€providences,€or€the€most€dangerous€and€tedious€diseases.€Oh!€says€one,€if€I€had€beenŠ `ü  Šhurried€into€eternity€before€the€death€of€such€a€dear€friend,€or€such€a€near€relation,€what€would€haveŠ Lč  Šbeen€my€condition?€But€that€which€I€thought€my€greatest€loss,€has€through€sanctifying€grace,€provedŠ 8Ō  Šmy€greatest€gain!€And,€Oh!€says€another,€if€I€had€been€cut€off€before€such€a€severe€illness€seized€myŠ $Ą Šbody,€what€would€have€become€of€my€soul?€It€was€in€that€deep€affliction,€that€God€visited€me,€andŠ ¬ Šbrought€sin€to€my€remembrance!€It€was€then,€that€conscience€awoke€from€its€slumber,€and€began€toŠ ü˜ Špierce€me€with€a€thousand€stings!€How€vain,€empty,€and€unsatisfying€did€the€world€appear!€HowŠ č„ Šdistressing€was€the€review€of€the€past!€How€gloomy€the€prospect€of€the€future!€It€was€then,€I€beganŠ Ōp Što€forget€the€pain€of€the€body,€in€the€keener€anguish€of€a€wounded€spirit!€Then€I€earnestly€cried€toŠ Ą\ Šthe€great€Physician,€for€the€healing€balm€of€Gilead.€Nor€was€my€worthless€prayer€despised.€BlessedŠ ¬H Šbe€the€name€of€Jesus!€he€had€compassion€on€me,€and€stretched€out€his€hand€to€save.€He€opened€myŠ ˜4 Šears,€touched€my€heart,€and€sealed€instruction€to€me!€Ruined€and€undone,€without€help,€and€almostŠ „  Šbeyond€hope,€he€passed€by€me,€and€my€time€of€grief€was€his€time€of€love!Š p  Šą  ąI€shall€now€endeavour€to€make€it€appear,€that€it€is€our€duty€properly€to€use€the€means€forŠ \ų Šproducing€repentance.Š Hä ŠSome€entertain€the€notion,€that€it€is€wrong€to€exhort€sinners€to€repent,€or€use€any€means€for€that€end.Š 4 Š ŠOn€what€is€this€notion€grounded?€For€the€most€part,€on€some€wild€and€inconsistent€idea€of€GodššsŠ  !¼ Šdecrees.€It€is€useless,€say€such€people,€to€preach€repentance,€for€if€we€are€to€he€saved,€we€shall€beŠ  "Ø Šsaved;€and€if€we€are€to€be€lost,€we€shall€be€lost.€This€notion€is€contrary€to€scripture,€to€experience,Š ų"” Šand€to€common€sense,€and€agreeable€to€nothing€but€the€love€of€sin,€the€will€of€Satan.Š ä#€  Šą  ąThe€notion€I€oppose,€is€contrary€to€scripture.€John€the€Baptist,€who€was€full€of€the€HolyŠ Š$l! ŠGhost,€exhorted€the€worst€of€men,€even€those€whom€he€called€a€generation€of€vipers,€to€repent€andŠ ¼%X" Šbring€forth€fruits€meet€for€repentance.€Matthew€3:2,€7,€8.€Christ€began€his€ministry,€by€saying,€ņņRepentŠ Ø&D # Šand€believe€the€gospel.€óóMark€1:15.€The€apostles,€all€of€them,€addressed€themselves€to€carnal€andŠ ”'0!$ Šwicked€men,€earnestly€and€constantly€calling€them€to€repentance.€Paul€tells€us,€that€he€ņņtestified€bothŠ €("% Što€the€Jews€and€also€to€the€Greeks,€repentance€towards€God,€and€faith€towards€our€Lord€JesusŠ l)#& ŠChrist.€óóActs€20:21.€Peter€perceived€that€Simon€Magus€had€neither€part€nor€lot€in€the€matter,€but€wasŠ X*ō#' Šin€the€gall€of€bitterness,€and€the€bond€of€iniquity.€Did€he€turn€away,€aud€refuse€to€warn€and€exhortŠ D+ą$( Šhim?€No,€he€said€to€him,€ņņRepent,€therefore,€of€this€thy€wickedness,€and€pray€God,€if€perhaps€theŠ 0,Ģ%) Šthought€of€thy€heart€may€be.€forgiven€thee.€óóActs€8:22„23.€James€says,€ņņDraw€nigh€to€God,€and€he€willŠ d Šdraw€nigh€to€you.€Cleanse€your€hands,€ye€sinners,€and€purify€your€hearts,€ye€double-minded.€€BeŠ Pģ Šafflicted,€and€mourn€and€weep:€Let€your€laughter€be€turned€into€mourning,€and€your€joy€toŠ <Ų Šheaviness.€Humble€yourselves€in€the€sight€of€the€Lord,€and€he€shall€lift€you€up.€óóJames€4:8„9.€If€it€beŠ ( Ä Šwrong€to€exhort€sinners€to€repentance,€then€John€the€Baptist,€Jesus€Christ,€and€all€the€apostles€wereŠ  ° Šin€an€error.Š  œ Šą  ąThe€notion€I€oppose€is€contrary€to€experience.€š šWho€are€the€men€that€have€turned€many€toŠ ģ ˆ Šrighteousness?€Who€are€the€ministers€that€most€frequently€behold€vile€blasphemers,€under€theirŠ Ų t Špreaching,€with€streaming€eyes,€and€uplifted€hands€exclaim,€Lord,€save,€or€we€perish?€Are€they€thoseŠ Ä ` Šwho€love€to€dispute€and€wrangle,€and€seem€to€feel€a€savage€pleasure€in€thundering€out€the€harshestŠ °L  Šcensures€against€all€who€differ€from€them?€No;€it€cannot€be€denied,€that€those€men.€have€had€mostŠ œ8  Šsuccess€in€the€conversion€of€souls,€who€have€made€frequent€and€faithful€appeals€to€the€consciencesŠ ˆ$  Šof€the€ungodly,€in€the€most€searching€language,€and€solemn€manner.€Those€whose€bowels€haveŠ t  Šyearned€with€compassion€over€their€perishing€fellow-men;€whose€hearts€have€glowed€with€zeal€toŠ `ü  Šbring€them€to€Christ,€have€seen€the€hand€of€God€working€with€them.€š šSome€people,šš€said€theŠ Lč  Šexcellent€Philip€Henry,€š šdo€not€like€to€hear€much€of€repentance,€but€I€think€it€so€necessary,€that€ifŠ 8Ō  ŠI€should€die€in€the€pulpit,€I€wish€to€die€preaching€repentance,€and€if€out€of€the€pulpit,€practising€it.ššŠ $Ą Šą  ąThe€notion€I€here€oppose€is€contrary€to€common€sense.Š ¬ Šą  ąIf€we€are€to€be€saved,€we€shall€be€saved,€and€if€we€are€to€repent,€we€must€repent,€whether€weŠ ü˜ Šuse€means€or€not,€for€God€has€fore-ordained€whatsoever€comes€to€pass.€Now€suppose€a€man€wereŠ č„ Što€talk€in€this€way€concerning€temporal€or€worldly€matters.€He€is€a€husbandman,€and€says,€I€will€notŠ Ōp Šcultivate€my€land,€for€if€I€am€to€have€a€crop€I€shall€have€it,€whether€I€plough€and€sow€or€not.€He€isŠ Ą\ Šsick,€and€a€remedy€is€recommended€which€has€cured€many€of€the€same€disorder,€but€he€says,€no,€myŠ ¬H Štime€is€fixed,€and€if€I€am€to€die,€all€the€medicines€in€the€world€cannot€save€me,€and€therefore€I€willŠ ˜4 Šuse€no€means.€Were€any€one€to€talk€thus,€would€it€not€betray€a€want€of€common€sense?€What€canŠ „  Šbe€more€foolish€and€absurd,€than€to€set€up€the€secret€decrees€of€God€against€his€plain€and€well€knownŠ p  Šcommands!€If€any€of€the€poor€creatures€who€are€chained€in€Bedlam,€were€to€utter€such€things€in€theirŠ \ų Šwild€ravings,€nobody€would€wonder€at€it.€But€you€may€say,€how€could€such€a€strange€notion€as€thisŠ Hä Šenter€into€manššs€head?€Or€if€it€should€spring€up€in€a€midnight€dream,€how€can€one€who€is€awakeŠ 4 Š Šcherish€it€for€a€moment?€I€reply,€the€notion€which€opposes€the€use€of€means€to€promote€repentance,Š  !¼ Šis€very€agreeable€to€the€love€of€sin.€He€who€delights€in€his€own€abominations,€will€generally€huntŠ  "Ø Šabout€for€something€to€excuse€them.€Truth€is€against€him,€and€he€therefore€sets€himself€against€truth.Š ų"” ŠHe€welcomes€that€doctrine,€be€it€what€it€may,€which€gives€his€conscience€a€little€present€ease.€NowŠ ä#€  Šwhat€can€be€more€agreeable€to€such€a€person,€than€to€hear€that€means€are€unnecessary€and€useless?Š Š$l! ŠIf€he€wants€to€go€on€in€a€bold€career€of€wickedness,€he€cannot€have€a€better€spur.€If€he€wishes€toŠ ¼%X" Šsleep€undisturbed,€he€cannot€find€a€softer€pillow.Š Ø&D # Šą  ąThe€notion€which€opposes€the€use€of€means€to€promote€repentance,€is€agreeable€to€the€willŠ ”'0!$ Šof€the€devil.Š €("% Šą  ąIf€Satan€were€permitted€to€take€a€human€form,€and€become€a€preacher,€I€have€no€doubt€heŠ l)#& Šwould€very€zealously€spread€this€pestilent€error.€He€would€labour€to€keep€men€from€all€the€meansŠ X*ō#' Šof€grace,€that€he€might€firmly€hold€them€as€his€captives.€Instead€of€preaching€repentance,€he€wouldŠ D+ą$( Špreach€presumption,€and€quote€the€scriptures€too,€studiously€misapplying€them€to€carry€his€point.Š 0,Ģ%) ŠWhen€he€tempted€Christ€to€cast€himself€down€from€a€pinnacle€of€the€temple,€he€backed€his€hellishŠ d Šsuggestion€with€a€text,€saying,€š šņņFor€it€is€written,€he€shall€give€his€angels€charge€concerning€thee:Š Pģ Šand€in€their€hands€shall€they€bear€thee€up,€lest€at€any€time€thou€dash€thy€foot€against€a€stone.ó󚚊 <Ų ŠMatthew€4:6.€As€though€he€had€said,€God€has€decreed€and€promised€thee€safety,€and€there€canŠ ( Ä Štherefore€be€no€danger€or€hurt€from€the€fall.€And€I€am€sorry€to€have€reason€to€say€it,€but€there€areŠ  ° Šsome€Antinomians€of€the€present€day,€who€could€not€have€had€much€worse€principles,€if€they€hadŠ  œ Šreceived€their€creed€ready€made€from€the€devil.Š ģ ˆ Šą  ąLet€me€hope,€reader,€you€are€convinced,€that€repentance€is€a€duty,€as€well€as€a€privilege.€YouŠ Ų t Šare€called€to€the€proper€use€of€means€for€this€end.€Do€you€ask,€how€these€means€are€to€be€used?€IŠ Ä ` Šanswer€š"š€with€serious€consideration€and€prayer.Š °L  Šą  ąThe€Bible€is€put€into€your€hands.Š œ8  Šą  ąChrist€expressly€commands€us€to€search€the€scriptures.€John€5:59.€Do€not€just€carelessly€lookŠ ˆ$  Šinto€them,€and€then€lay€them€aside.€Let€it€be€your€aim€to€learn€what€is€ņņthe€good,€and€acceptable,€andŠ t  Šperfect€will€of€God€revealed€in€them.€óóSome€will€not€read€the€Bible,€lest€it€should€make€them€uneasy,Š `ü  Šaud€fill€them€with€gloomy€thoughts.€Does€not€this€prove,€that€they€need€what€they€neglect?€Let€meŠ Lč  Šearnestly€entreat€you,€to€apply€to€the€scriptures€with€a€sincere€desire€to€know€yourself,€and€to€knowŠ 8Ō  ŠChrist,€who€is€ņņthe€way,€the€truth,€and€the€life.€óóWeigh€your€state€in€this€balance€of€truth:€and,€whenŠ $Ą Šyou€find€yourself€wanting,€weep€over€your€deficiency.€Lay€your€bosom€open€to€this€sword€of€theŠ ¬ ŠSpirit;€and€when€you€find€yourself€wounded,€seek€the€healing€balm€of€divine€grace.€And,€besidesŠ ü˜ Šserious€consideration,€lift€up€your€heart€to€God,€for€the€unction€of€his€Holy€Spirit€to€teach€you.€LetŠ č„ Šyour€cry€be,€ņņLord,€open€thou€my€eyes,€that€I€may€see€wondrous€things€in€thy€law.€óóShew€me€thy€way,Š Ōp Šand€all€my€wanderings€from€it.€Shew€me€thy€glory,€that€I€may€be€deeply€sensible€of€my€sin,€and€filledŠ Ą\ Šwith€grief€and€shame.€ņņWho€can€understand€his€errors?€Cleanse€thou€me€from€secret€faults.€óóŠ ¬H Šą  ąYou€have€an€opportunity€of€hearing€the€gospel,€ņņKeep€thy€foot€when€thou€goest€to€the€houseŠ ˜4 Šof€God,€and€be€more€ready€to€hear€than€to€give€the€sacrifice€of€fools:€for€they€consider€not€that€Š „  Šthey€do€evil.€óóEcclesiastes€5:1.€The€preaching€of€the€gospel€was€not€intended€for€your€amusement,€butŠ p  Šfor€your€profit.€Think,€when€you€walk€to€the€house€of€God,€for€what€purpose€you€are€going.€Think,Š \ų Šhow€many€sabbaths€and€sermons€have€been€lost!€While€you€are€entering€the€doors€of€the€church,€orŠ Hä Šchapel,€carry€along€with€you€the€caution€our€Lord€has€given:€ņņTake€heed€how€you€hear!€óóDo€the€caresŠ 4 Š Šof€this€world€follow€you?€drive€them€away,€as€Abraham€drove€away€the€birds€which€came€down€toŠ  !¼ Šdevour€his€sacrifice.€Do€vain€thoughts€rush€into€the€mind?€cast€them€out,€and€give€them€no€place€orŠ  "Ø Šindulgence.€Pray€for€divine€grace,€to€render€the€word€quick€and€powerful€to€you.€Let€your€heart€beŠ ų"” Špoured€out€into€such€petitions€as€these,€š š€O€Lord!€thou€hast€sent€thy€gospel€to€my€ears€š"š€apply€it€toŠ ä#€  Šmy€heart!€Thou€hast€cast€my€lot€where€the€light€shines€around€me;€O,€let€it€shine€into€my€mind,€andŠ Š$l! Šgive€me€glorious€discoveries€of€thy€great€salvation!€Gracious€God!€let€the€next€sermon€I€hearŠ ¼%X" Šdissolve€my€soul.€Let€the€bonds€of€iniquity€be€broken,€and€the€lusts€of€the€flesh€subdued.€May€I€notŠ Ø&D # Šonly€hear,€but€also€understand,€inwardly€digest,€remember,€and€practise€thy€word!šš€Reading€andŠ ”'0!$ Šhearing€are€means€so€valuable,€that€nothing€can€make€up€for€the€want€of€them.€The€rich€man€wishedŠ €("% ŠLazarus€to€be€sent€to€warn€his€ungodly€relations,€and€said,€ņņIf€one€rise€from€the€dead€they€will€repent;Š l)#& Šbut€Abraham€answered,€They€have€Moses€and€the€prophets;€if€they€hear€not€them,€neither€wilt€theyŠ X*ō#' Šbelieve,€though€one€rose€from€the€dead.€óóŠ D+ą$( Šą  ąPerhaps,€you€hear€some€counsels€and€reproofs€in€private.€If€it€be€so,€do€not€make€light€ofŠ 0,Ģ%) Šthem.€He€is€your€best€friend,€who€labours€to€awaken€you€to€a€sight€of€your€danger,€while€a€refuge€isŠ d Šopen€to€receive€you.€Let€not€pride€and€anger€lead€you€to€return€evil€for€good.€ņņHe€that,€being€oftenŠ Pģ Šreproved,€hardeneth€his€neck,€shall€suddenly€be€destroyed,€and€that€without€remedy.€óóProverbs€29:1.Š <Ų Šą  ąYou€have,€no€doubt,€been€visited€with€affliction,€in€one€form€or€another:€and€how€have€youŠ ( Ä Šacted€under€it?€Alas!€how€many€are€seared,€rather€than€softened€by€fiery€trials!€God€inflicts€strokeŠ  ° Šupon€stroke,€and€sends€blast€after€blast;€but€instead€of€humbling€themselves,€they€rise€to€greaterŠ  œ Šheights€of€insolence€and€presumption.€Such€are€the€men€spoken€of€by€the€prophets.€ņņO€Lord,€are€notŠ ģ ˆ Šthine€eyes€upon€the€truth?€thou€hast€stricken€them,€but€they€have€not€grieved;€thou€hast€consumedŠ Ų t Šthem,€but€they€have€refused€to€receive€correction:€they€have€made€their€faces€harder€than€a€rock;Š Ä ` Šthey€have€refused€to€return.€óóJeremiah€5:3.€Do€these€words€apply€justly€to€you?€The€Lord€has€smittenŠ °L  Šyou€with€the€rod,€but€you€do€not€repent€of€your€folly.€God€has€cast€you€into€the€furnace€of€affliction,Š œ8  Šand€yet€you€are€not€melted:€God€has€often€put€you€under€the€hammer€of€his€word,€and€yet€you€areŠ ˆ$  Šnot€broken!€In€the€time€of€affliction,€call€in€your€wandering€thoughts€and€raise€them€to€God.€This€isŠ t  Šthe€counsel€of€the€wise€man,€ņņIn€the€day€of€prosperity,€be€joyful;€but€in€the€day€of€adversity,€consider.Š `ü  ŠóóPour€out€your€fervent€desires€and€supplications€to€God.€I€have€surely€heard€Ephraim€bemoaningŠ Lč  Šhimself€thus:€ņņThou€hast€chastised€me,€and€I€was€chastised€as€a€bullock,€unaccustomed€to€the€yoke.Š 8Ō  ŠTurn€thou€me,€and€1€shall€be€turned;€for€thou€art€the€Lord€my€God.€Surely,€after€that€I€was€turned,Š $Ą ŠI€repented;€and€after€that€I€was€instructed,€I€smote€upon€my€thigh:€I€was€ashamed,€yea,€evenŠ ¬ Šconfounded,€because€I€did€bear€the€reproach€of€my€youth.€óóJeremiah€31:18.€This€is€the€temper€inŠ ü˜ Šwhich€affliction€ought€to€leave€us,€or€it€is€useless.Š č„ Šą  ąIn€order€to€promote€repentance,€I€will€subjoin€a€few€particular€directions.Š Ōp Šą  ąMeditate€on€the€shortness€of€time,€and€the€awful€importance€of€eternity.Š Ą\ Šą  ąFor€this€purpose,€retire€from€the€busy€crowd.€While€you€are€pressed€on€all€sides€by€the€throng,Š ¬H Šand€at€once€stunned€with€the€noise,€and€blinded€by€the€dust€of€the€world,€you€can€no€more€thinkŠ ˜4 Šcalmly,€than€a€man€can€walk€steadily€in€a€hurricane.€The€more€you€are€engaged€with€the€giddyŠ „  Šmultitude,€the€more€are€you€likely€to€be€infected€with€their€spirit.€O,€retire€into€solitude,€that€you€mayŠ p  Šlook€beyond€the€narrow€bounds€of€time€to€as€eternal€world!€Some€have€thought,€that€if€even€anŠ \ų Šatheist€were€two€or€three€days€shut€up€in€a€dungeon,€he€would€not€come€out€an€atheist.€However€thisŠ Hä Šbe,€it€is€found€by€experience,€that€solitary€musing€tends€much€to€dispose€the€mind€to€the€greatŠ 4 Š Šconcerns€of€a€future€state.€Try,€then,€to€shake€off,€for€a€time,€the€cares€of€the€world.€ņņCommune€withŠ  !¼ Šyour€own€heart€upon€your€bed,€and€be€still.€óóWho€knows€but€the€hour€of€your€departure€is€at€hand!Š  "Ø ŠDo€not€rest€contented€with€vague,€general€notions€of€another€world;€or€with€a€few€loose,€shapelessŠ ų"” Šwishes€for€future€happiness.€When€you€are€about€to€enter€on€a€new€business,€you€think€it€needful€toŠ ä#€  Šmake€some€preparation.€When€you€have€a€journey€to€take,€you€get€things€in€readiness.€And€is€thereŠ Š$l! Šno€preparation€for€an€everlasting€state?€It€is€possible,€the€death-warrant€may€be€signed,€and€theŠ ¼%X" Šdreadful€summons€to€appear€before€God€on€its€way.€At€most,€in€a€few€more€years,€you€must€go€theŠ Ø&D # Šway€whence€you€shall€not€return.€And€dare€you€give€up€the€scanty€pittance€of€your€time€to€levity€andŠ ”'0!$ Šforgetfulness?€Do€you€think€your€will€is€sufficient€to€justify€your€way?€Have€you€no€regard€toŠ €("% Šconsequences?€Know€certainly,€š šthat€will€ņņwithout€óóreason,€is€but€a€blind€manššs€motion;€and€willŠ l)#& Šņņagainst€óóreason,€is€but€a€mad€manššs€motion.šš€Your€sins€do€not€now€trouble€you,€because€they€are€notŠ X*ō#' Šseen.€And€why€are€they€not€seen?€The€writing€on€a€tablet,€while€covered€with€dust,€cannot€beŠ D+ą$( Šdiscerned;€but€wipe€it€clean,€and€every€eye€can€read€it.€š šAs€time€(says€Matthew€Henry)€cannot€wearŠ 0,Ģ%) Šout€guilt,€neither€can€it€blot€out€the€records€of€conscience.šš€How€many€sins,€which€you€have€nowŠ d Šforgotten,€will€rise€up€in€remembrance€on€a€dying€bed!€ņņO€that€you€were€wise;€that€you€understoodŠ Pģ Šthis;€that€you€would€consider€your€latter€end!€óó€Popilus,€the€Roman€ambassador,€when€he€went€toŠ <Ų Šmake€a€very€important€proposal€to€Antiochus,€king€of€Syria,€drew€a€circle€round€him,€and€declaredŠ ( Ä Šhe€should€not€pass€over€it,€till€he€had€given€an€answer.€You€have€offended€the€God€of€heaven!€HeŠ  ° Šhas€sent€his€ambassadors€to€propose€terms€of€peace:€you€are€enclosed€with€the€narrow€circle€of€time;Š  œ Šand€you€must€not€pass€over€it,€until€this€matter€is€settled€one€way€or€another.€ņņYet€a€little€while,€andŠ ģ ˆ ŠHe€that€shall€come,€will€come,€and€will€not€tarry.€óóIf€you€are€not€reconciled€now,€you€will€be€rejectedŠ Ų t Šin€the€great€day.€O,€may€you,€with€sincere€prayer,€draw€nigh€to€God,€saying,€ņņLord,€so€teach€me€toŠ Ä ` Šnumber€my€days,€that€I€may€apply€my€heart€to€wisdom.€óóŠ °L  Šą  ąMeditate€on€the€glorious€perfections€of€God.Š œ8  Šą  ąHow€strikingly€is€human€folly€discovered€by€the€clear€display€of€infinite€wisdom!€HowŠ ˆ$  Šcontemptible€does€pride€look,€while€we€eye€the€majesty€of€the€Most€High!€How€odious€does€all€sinŠ t  Šappear,€in€the€full€view€of€divine€justice€and€sovereign€super-abounding€grace!€Jeshurun,€inŠ `ü  Šprosperity,€ššššņņforsook€God,€and€lightly€esteemed€the€rock€of€his€salvation.ó󚚀Deuteronomy€13:15.Š Lč  ŠIgnorance,€or€forgetfulness€of€God,€always€draws€after€it€ingratitude€and€disobedience.€I€have€heardŠ 8Ō  Šof€a€person,€who€constantly€carried€the€picture€of€his€father€with€him,€and,€when€he€was€tempted€toŠ $Ą Šany€thing€wrong€or€dangerous,€used€to€look€at€it,€that€the€memory€of€his€fatherššs€virtue€mightŠ ¬ Špreserve€him€from€vice.€If€the€picture€of€a€father,€who€was€dead,€increased€the€abhorrence€of€whatŠ ü˜ Šwas€evil,€how€much€more€ought€the€presence€ot€our€heavenly€Father,€who€searches€the€secrets€of€theŠ č„ Šheart,€to€excite€and€keep€up€our€hatred€of€sin!€The€angels€above,€full€of€reverence€and€love,Š Ōp Šperpetually€cry,€š šHoly,€holy,€holy,€is€the€Lord€of€hosts!šš€If€you€have€right€views€of€God,€you€willŠ Ą\ Šhave€just€thoughts€of€yourself.€The€nearer€you€draw€to€a€Being€of€infinite€purity€and€perfection,€theŠ ¬H Šclearer€will€be€the€discoveries€of€your€own€depravity€and€defilement,€worthlessness€and€meanness.Š ˜4 ŠHow€can€man€he€justified€with€God!€or€how€can€he€be€clean€that€is€born€of€a€woman;€ņņBehold€evenŠ „  Šthe€moon,€and€it€shineth€not;€yea,€the€stars€are€not€pure€in€his€sight.€How€much€less€man,€that€is€aŠ p  Šworm;€and€the€son€of€man,€which€is€a€worm;ó󚚀Job€25:4„6.€Hear€Moses€exclaim,€š š€Who€is€a€god€likeŠ \ų Šunto€Thee?€glorious€in€holiness;€fearful€in€praises;€doing€wonders!šš€Job€says,€š šIņņ€have€heard€of€theeŠ Hä Šby€the€hearing€of€the€ear;€but€now€mine€eye€seeth€thee.€Wherefore,€I€abhor€myself,€and€repent€in€dustŠ 4 Š Šand€ashesó󚚀Job€xlii.€56.€When€Isaiah€had€so€bright€a€vision€of€Godššs€glory,€how€did€it€abase€him€inŠ  !¼ Šhis€own€mind€!šš€ņņThen€said€I,€woe€is€me!€for€I€am€undone;€because€I€am€a€man€of€unclean€lips,€andŠ  "Ø ŠI€dwell€in€the€midst€of€a€people€of€unclean€lips:€for€mine€eyes€have€seen€the€King,€the€Lord€of€hosts.ó󚚊 ų"” ŠIsaiah€6:5.Š ä#€  Šą  ąMeditate€on€the€life,€the€amazing€love,€and€the€sin-atoning€death€of€Jesus€Christ.Š Š$l! Šą  ąAre€you€stupefied€through€the€power€of€sin?€Open€the€New€Testament,€and€there€beholdŠ ¼%X" ŠEmmanuel.€What€words€of€wisdom€and€instruction€flowed€from€his€lips!€What€works€and€wondersŠ Ø&D # Šhave€been€done€by€his€hands!€He€came€not€to€call€the€righteous€but€sinners€to€repentance.€All€theŠ ”'0!$ Šwarnings€he€spake,€and€all€the€wonders€he€wrought,€were€for€this€end.€He€was€grieved€when€he€sawŠ €("% Šthe€hardness€of€their€hearts,€and€he€wept€over€those,€who€never€shed€a€tear€themselves.€One€of€theŠ l)#& Šfirst€miracles,€says€Henry,€which€Moses€wrought,€was€turning€water€into€blood;€but€one€of€the€firstŠ X*ō#' Šmiracles€our€Lord€wrought,€was€turning€water€into€wine.€For€the€law€was€given€by€Moses,€and€it€wasŠ D+ą$( Ša€dispensation€of€death€and€terror;€but€grace€and€truth,€which€like€wine,€make€glad€the€heart,€cameŠ 0,Ģ%) Šby€Jesus€Christ.€As€you€have€greater€privileges€than€the€heathen,€if€you€die€unconverted,€you€mustŠ d Šendure€greater€punishments;€you€will€be€accounted€more€guilty€than€the€hardened€and€obstinateŠ Pģ ŠPharaoh.€Even€reason€itself€leads€us€to€this€conclusion.€But€when€we€look€into€the€scriptures,€it€isŠ <Ų Šplaced€beyond€a€doubt:€Better€were€it€that€you€were€born€and€brought€up€among€barbarians,€than€toŠ ( Ä Šhave€had€the€light€of€the€gospel,€and€die€stupefied€in€your€sins.€ņņThen€began€he€to€upbraid€the€citiesŠ  ° Šwherein€most€of€his€mighty€works€were€done,€because€they€repented€not.€Woe€unto€thee,€Chorazin!Š  œ ŠWoe€unto€thee,€Bethsaida€!€for€if€the€mighty€works€which€were€done€in€you,€had€been€done€in€TyreŠ ģ ˆ Šand€Sidon,€they€would€have€repented€long€ago€in€sackcloth€and€ashes.€But€I€say€unto€you,€it€shallŠ Ų t Šbe€more€tolerable€for€Tyre€and€Sidon€in€the€day€of€judgment,€than€for€you,€óóMatthew€11:20„22.Š Ä ` Šą  ąMeditate€seriously€and€daily€on€the€wonderful€love€of€Christ.€€Š °L  Šą  ąWhat€else€so€well€deserves€to€engage€your€thoughts?€The€kindness€and€love€of€God€ourŠ œ8  ŠSaviour€towards€men,€furnish€a€mystery,€into€which€angels€desire€to€look.€They€came€down€fromŠ ˆ$  Šheaven€to€sing€a€song€of€praise€at€the€birth€of€Jesus.€And€while€angels€are€filled€with€wonder€and€joyŠ t  Šin€considering€the€glorious€scheme€of€human€redemption,€have€you€no€thoughts€to€employ€upon€it?Š `ü  ŠO€turn€aside,€and€see€this€great€sight,€the€Son€of€God€clothed€in€flesh€to€snatch€us€from€destruction.Š Lč  ŠHe€loved€us€when€we€had€nothing€to€render€us€worthy€of€his€love.€While€we€were€sunk€in€sin€andŠ 8Ō  Šmisery,€he€left€the€shining€regions€of€glory€to€raise€us,€to€be€partakers€of€his€kingdom.€Set€then€ChristŠ $Ą Šin€all€his€perfection€and€condescension€before€yon.€Meditate€deeply,€and€meditate€daily€on€him;€ņņthatŠ ¬ Šbeing€rooted€and€grounded€in€love,€you€may€be€able€to€comprehend€with€all€saints,€what€is€theŠ ü˜ Šbreadth,€the€length,€and€depth,€and€height:€and€to€know€the€love€of€Christ,€which€passeth€knowledge.Š č„ ŠóóEphesians€3:18„19.Š Ōp Šą  ąAnd€O€how€wonderful€was€the€manner,€in€which€Jesus€manifested€his€love€to€men.€He€gaveŠ Ą\ Šhimself€an€offering€and€a€sacrifice€for€us.€It€was€absolutely€impossible€to€have€a€stronger€proof€ofŠ ¬H Šlove€to€a€lost€world.€€The€apostle€speaks€of€it€as€a€matter€of€doubt,€or€a€mere€peradventure,€whetherŠ ˜4 Šany€one€could€be€found,€who€would€dare€to€die,€even€for€a€good€man.€But€while€we€were€yet€sinnersŠ „  Šand€enemies,€Christ€died€for€us,€Romans€5:7„€8.€He€submitted€to€bear€the€curse,€that€we€might€be€setŠ p  Šfree,€and€enjoy€the€blessing,€even€life€for€evermore.€What€can€so€effectually€touch€all€the€springs€ofŠ \ų Šsympathy€in€the€heart,€as€the€love€of€Christ?€And€where€can€the€love€of€Christ€be€so€fully€seen,€asŠ Hä Šon€the€hill€of€Calvary?€Draw€nigh€then€to€the€cross;€and€behold€the€Lamb€of€God€taking€away€theŠ 4 Š Šsin€of€the€world.€The€sun€withdrew€his€beams,€the€solid€rocks€rent,€and€the€earth€quaked,€while€JesusŠ  !¼ Šsuffered€the€penalty€of€our€transgressions.€And€can€you,€unmoved,€contemplate€the€awful€scene?Š  "Ø ŠWhile€you€stand€at€the€foot€of€the€cross,€you€may€sing€of€mercy€and€of€judgment.€While€you€viewŠ ų"” Ša€suffering€Saviour,€you€may€well€shed€tears€of€grief€and€of€joy.€Here€are€at€once€displayed,€theŠ ä#€  Šterrors€of€injured€justice,€and€the€wonders€of€infinite€love.€Are€you€in€any€measure€concerned€aboutŠ Š$l! Šyour€eternal€welfare?€Turn€not€to€mount€Sinai.€There€you€may€see€your€sin,€but€no€sin€atoningŠ ¼%X" Šsacrifice.€There€you€may€hear€your€doom,€but€no€cheering€voice€of€mercy.€The€law€terrifies€andŠ Ø&D # Šdistracts,€but€the€law-fulfilling€Surety€melts€and€renews€the€soul.€It€is€the€influence€of€the€Holy€Spirit,Š ”'0!$ Šthat€produces€that€penitence€which€is€the€beginning€of€a€holy€life.€Now€this€is€done,€by€turning€theŠ €("% Šeye€of€the€mind€to€fix€on€the€dying€Redeemer.€ņņAnd€1€will€pour€upon€the€house€of€David,€and€uponŠ l)#& Šthe€inhabitants€of€Jerusalem,€the€spirit€of€grace€and€of€supplication;€and€they€shall€look€upon€meŠ X*ō#' Šwhom€they€have€pierced,€and€they€shall€mourn€for€him,€as€one€that€mourneth€for€his€only€son,€andŠ D+ą$( Šshall€be€in€bitterness€for€him,€as€one€that€is€in€bitterness€for€his€firstborn.€óóZechariah€12:10.Š 0,Ģ%) Šą  ąIf€you€look€to€Jesus,€and€he€look€on€you,€the€stone€within€your€breast€will€be€dissolved.€TheŠ d Šcockššs€shrill€crowing€stirred€up€Peterššs€memory,€but€so€deeply€was€he€stupefied,€that€a€clap€ofŠ Pģ Šthunder€would€not€have€alarmed€his€conscience.€Yet€when€Jesus€looked€upon€him,€he€was€penetratedŠ <Ų Što€the€heart,€and€went€out€and€wept€bitterly.Š ( Ä ŠĢßA€^ ) °°` dE<’ ` Aߊ  œ ŠĢĢÓ  ÓCHAPTER€V.Š ē ƒ ŠĢņņOn€the€Evidences€of€Repentance.€óóŠ æ[  ŠÓĮÉÓĢą  ąWhile€some€persons€sink€under€groundless€fears,€others€are€buoyed€up€with€false€andŠ —3  Šflattering€hopes.€The€sincere€but€weak€believer€is€apt€to€think€the€work€of€conversion€is€yet€to€begin,Š ƒ  Šwhile€the€self-righteous€conclude€it€is€already€done.€Both€are€deceived,€but€the€deception€is€far€fromŠ o  Šbeing€in€both€cases€equally€dangerous.€Ungrounded€fear€may€rob€you€of€present€comfort,€but€blindŠ [÷  Špresumption€will€ruin€you€forever.€It€is€possible,€by€carefully€applying€the€scriptures€to€ourselves,Š Gć  Što€know€whether€we€have€been€brought€to€repentance€or€not.€And€if€this€be€possible,€it€is€certainlyŠ 3Ļ Šdesirable.€I€shall€first€shew€what€are€no€evidences€of€true€repentance,€and€next€what€are.Š » Šą  ąI€shall€shew€what€are€no€evidences€or€proofs€of€true€repentance.Š  § Šą  ąTo€turn€from€one€party€to€another€is€no€proof€of€repentance.€There€has€always€been€anŠ ÷“ Šendless€variety€of€religious€opinions€and€ceremonies€in€the€world.€Christians€themselves€are€split€intoŠ ć Ša€great€many€parties€and€denominations.€A€man€may€often€change€his€opinions,€and€never€be€himselfŠ Ļk Šchanged€by€the€gospel.€He€may€be€converted€from€one€party€to€another,€and€never€be€converted€toŠ »W ŠGod.€There€are€numbers€who€seem€to€be€deceived€by€such€changes.€€š šņņHe€is€not€a€Jew€who€is€oneŠ §C Šoutwardly;€neither€is€that€circumcision€which€is€outward€in€the€flesh.€But€he€is€a€Jew€who€is€oneŠ “/ Šinwardly;€and€circumcision€is€that€of€the€heart,€in€the€spirit€and€not€in€the€letter,€whose€praise€is€notŠ  Šof€men.€but€of€God.ó󚚀Romans€2:28„29.€With€equal€truth€we€may€say,€he€is€not€a€Christian€who€is€soŠ k Šin€name,€in€form,€and€in€profession€only.€If€baptism€made€true€Christians,€you€would,€as€AlleineŠ Wó Šsays,€have€only€to€search€the€parish€register€to€know€whether€your€names€are€written€in€heaven.Š C ß Šą  ąA€great€deal€of€labour€to€keep€up€fair€appearances€is€no€proof€of€true€repentance.Š /!Ė Šą  ąYou€may€have€a€tree€in€your€garden€tall€and€stately,€full€of€leaves,€and€beautiful€to€the€eye,Š "· Šbut€destitute€of€fruit,€like€the€barren€fig-tree€which€our€Lord€cursed.€Counterfeits€may€have€the€sameŠ #£  Šstamp€as€sterling€coin,€and€surpass€its€brightness,€but€when€brought€to€the€touchstone€and€theŠ ó#! Šbalance,€they€want€purity€and€weight.€Where€there€is€no€vital€godliness,€we€often€see€a€studiousŠ ß${" Šattempt€to€imitate€it.€When€the€gospel€was€first€preached,€many€of€the€converts€gave€the€mostŠ Ė%g# Šsatisfactory€proofs€of€their€sincerity€and€zeal.€They€generously€gave€up€their€property€to€relieve€theŠ ·&S $ Špoor,€and€assist€in€spreading€the€truth.€Ananias€and€Sapphira,€that€they€might€not€seem€behind€theŠ £'?!% Šrest,€sold€a€possession,€and€by€an€agreement€between€themselves,€kept€back€part€of€the€price,€andŠ (+"& Štook€the€other€part€and€laid€it€at€the€apostlesšš€feet.€Acts€5:1„2.€Though€at€bottom€they€were€covetous,Š {)#' Šyet€they€wished€to€be€thought€liberal,€and€therefore€contrived€a€low€trick€to€gain€their€end.€HowŠ g*$( Šawfully€were€they€struck€dead€by€the€just€vengeance€of€God€for€their€hypocrisy.Š S+ļ$) Šą  ąNo€persons€were€more€exact€than€the€pharisees,€in€paying€tithe€of€mint,€anise,€and€cummin;Š ?,Ū%* Šbut€it€was€done€to€conceal€the€neglect€of€the€weightier€matters€of€judgment,€mercy,€and€faith.€HowŠ d Šoften€do€we€find€people€who€too€nearly€resemble€them,€and€take€great€pains€merely€to€keep€up€a€fairŠ Pģ Šappearance.€They€would€not€for€the€world€neglect€going€their€round€of€duties,€but€are€total€strangersŠ <Ų Što€the€religion€of€the€heart.€It€is€a€much€easier€thing€to€whitewash€a€€house€on€the€outside,€than€to€takeŠ ( Ä Šaway€the€rotten€beams€and€mouldered€bricks,€and€rebuild€it€with€solid€materials.€A€man€may€haveŠ  ° Šthe€garb€of€a€penitent,€and€the€speech€of€a€believer,€and€not€have€one€drop€of€sincere€sorrow,€or€oneŠ  œ Šgrain€of€precious€faith€in€his€heart.€If€Noah,€instead€of€pitching€the€ark€to€keep€out€the€water,€hadŠ ģ ˆ Šonly€painted€it€to€make€a€fair€shew,€he€would€have€perished€like€others€by€the€flood.€Let€him€thatŠ Ų t Šthinketh€he€standeth,€take€heed€lest€he€fall.Š Ä ` Šą  ąSudden€terrors,€or€melancholy€thoughts€are€no€proofs€of€true€repentance.Š °L  Šą  ąOn€the€near€approach€of€danger,€or€under€affliction,€the€most€presumptuous€wretches€haveŠ œ8  Šcried€out€for€fear,€as€if€they€had€been€seized€by€ghastly€fiends.€It€is€said€Caligula,€the€RomanŠ ˆ$  Šemperor,€who€was€one€of€the€bloodiest€tyrants,€(though€in€general€he€impiously€defied€both€earth€andŠ t  Šheaven),€yet€always€began€to€tremble€and€pray€when€it€thundered€and€lightened.€While€terribleŠ `ü  Šplagues€were€upon€Pharaoh,€when€the€magicians,€with€all€their€enchantments,€could€not€quiet€hisŠ Lč  Šfears,€he€often€sent€for€Moses€and€Aaron€in€haste,€entreated€their€prayers,€and€promised€to€let€themŠ 8Ō  Šgo,€but€no€sooner€had€he€obtained€deliverance€than€he€became€harder€than€before.€How€often,€whenŠ $Ą Šwicked€men€are€laid€on€a€bed€of€sickness,€and€think€death€very€near,€do€they€send€for€ministers€toŠ ¬ Špray€with€them,€and€seem€much€affected€and€alarmed€at€the€prospect€of€eternity.€In€a€little€while€theyŠ ü˜ Šrecover,€and€all€their€concern€about€religion€is€gone.€They€resemble€sailors€who€pray€in€a€tempest,Š č„ Šwhen€they€are€expecting€the€next€billow€to€bury€them€in€the€sea;€but€all€their€devotion€ceases€whenŠ Ōp Šthe€storm€is€over,€and€they€return€again€to€their€drinking€and€swearing€with€redoubled€eagerness.Š Ą\ ŠWhen€the€unclean€spirit€is€cast€out€by€divine€grace,€he€cannot€regain€possession;€but€when€he€goesŠ ¬H Šout€of€his€own€accord,€he€is€sure€to€return€to€his€old€house€and€his€old€haunts,€and€the€last€end€of€thatŠ ˜4 Šman€is€worse€than€the€first.Š „  Šą  ąSome€persons€are€frequently€filled€with€gloomy€and€melancholy€thoughts.€At€such€times€theyŠ p  Šleave€their€gay€companions,€and€sigh€and€weep€alone.€But€this€kind€of€sorrow€may€rise€from€worldlyŠ \ų Šlosses€and€disappointments,€or€from€weakness€and€disorder€of€body,€rather€than€from€any€seriousŠ Hä Šconcern€about€God,€or€the€salvation€of€the€soul.€Sometimes€we€see€melancholy€thoughts€and€terrorsŠ 4 Š Šof€conscience€in€the€same€person.€Alas,€how€many€in€this€unhappy€state€have€rashly€seized€theŠ  !¼ Šmurdering€knife,€and€cut€the€thread€of€life€with€their€own€hands.€King€Saul€was€once€among€theŠ  "Ø Šprophets,€and€often€among€the€gloomy€penitents;€he€went€for€counsel€to€the€witch€of€Endor,€and€afterŠ ų"” Štrying€many€bad€ways€to€get€rid€of€his€burden,€he€chose€the€worst€at€last,€and€fell€upon€his€ownŠ ä#€  Šsword.€The€wretched€Judas€repented€that€he€had€betrayed€innocent€blood,€and€then€went€and€hangedŠ Š$l! Šhimself,€that€he€might€go€to€his€own€place.€While€he€held€the€office€of€an€apostle,€he€was€quite€outŠ ¼%X" Šof€his€own€place.€What€right€has€the€wolf€in€the€sheepfold,€or€a€devil€to€take€his€seat€among€theŠ Ø&D # Šdisciples€of€Jesus.€But€Satan,€when€occasion€requires,€can€put€on€Samuelššs€mantle,€or€even€transformŠ ”'0!$ Šhimself€into€an€angel€of€light.Š €("% Šą  ąLively€joys,€and€confident€hopes,€are€no€proofs€of€true€repentance.Š l)#& Šą  ąThere€is€something€peculiarly€grand€and€important€in€the€doctrines€of€the€gospel.€Now€itŠ X*ō#' Šsometimes€happens,€that€those€who€are€brought€under€the€sound€of€the€gospel,€are€at€first€struck€withŠ D+ą$( Šadmiration.€They€profess€that€their€views€and€sentiments€are€changed,€and€that€they€are€become€newŠ 0,Ģ%) Šcreatures.€They€tell€us€in€strong€language€how€wonderfully€they€are€delighted€with€gospel€promises,Š d Šand€seem€as€sure€of€heaven€as€those€who€dwell€there.€Yet€all€this€is€merely€a€flash€in€the€imagination,Š Pģ Šnot€a€steady€light€in€the€understanding,€or€a€flame€of€holy€love€in€the€heart.€It€is€the€dream€of€fancy,Š <Ų Šnot€the€joy€of€faith.€Such€were€the€stony€ground€hearers€mentioned€by€our€Lord.€Matthew€13:20„21.Š ( Ä ŠThey€quickly€received€the€word€with€joy,€but€having€no€root€soon€withered€away.Š  ° Šą  ąHerod€heard€John€the€Baptist€gladly,€and€did€many€things€which€were€commendable.€HeŠ  œ Šcould€not,€however,€bear€to€be€reproved€for€the€sake€of€Herodias.€He€soon€proved,€that€though€heŠ ģ ˆ Šhad€been€pleased€with€the€preacher,€he€had€not€been€profited€by€his€doctrine.€When€his€birthdayŠ Ų t Šcame,€instead€of€beginning€a€new€year€of€his€life€with€penitence€for€the€past,€and€prayer€for€theŠ Ä ` Šfuture,€he€began€it€with€mirth€and€murder.€He€ordered€the€Baptistššs€head€to€be€cut€off€to€gratify€anŠ °L  Šinfamous€woman.Š œ8  Šą  ąIf€you€have€lively€joys€and€confident€hopes,€examine€whence€they€spring,€and€what€is€theirŠ ˆ$  Štendency.€Bring€your€feelings€as€well€as€your€faith€to€the€touchstone€of€Godššs€word.€Many€begin€toŠ t  Šrejoice€before€they€have€any€just€ground.€When€they€are€dealt€with€plainly€and€faithfully,€they€areŠ `ü  Šoffended.€The€wounds€of€the€conscience€cannot€be€healed€without€probing,€nor€probed€without€pain.Š Lč  ŠIf€then,€like€Herod,€you€have€some€particular€sin€for€which€you€cannot€bear€reproof,€you€areŠ 8Ō  Šdeceiving€yourself€by€supposing€your€joys€are€a€proof€of€your€conversion.Š $Ą Šą  ąI€shall€now€point€out€what€are€the€evidences€of€real€repentance.Š ¬ Šą  ąA€true€penitent€will€forsake€his€sin,€renounce€the€world,€resist€the€devil,€love€Christ,€and€longŠ ü˜ Što€be€fully€conformed€to€him,€Š č„ Šą  ąA€true€penitent€will€forsake€his€sin.Š Ōp Šą  ąIf€a€man€had€often€reproached€and€wronged€you,€and€professed€to€be€sorry€for€it,€could€youŠ Ą\ Šbelieve€him€sincere€unless€he€altered€his€conduct?€Solomon€says,€ņņHe€that€covereth€his€sins€shall€notŠ ¬H Šprosper,€but€whoso€confesseth€and€forsaketh€them€shall€have€mercy,€óóProverbs€28:13.€A€thousandŠ ˜4 Šflimsy€disguises€are€woven,€and€a€thousand€vain€excuses€contrived€to€conceal€sin.€To€hide€theŠ „  Šaccursed€thing,€Achan€took€his€Babylonish€garment€and€his€wedge€of€gold,€and€buried€them€in€hisŠ p  Štent.€The€true€penitent€is€willing€to€lay€aside€every€plea€for€sin,€and€give€up€the€practice€of€it.€He€whoŠ \ų Šhates€sin€for€its€own€sake,€will€pray€to€be€delivered€from€its€power,€as€well€as€from€its€punishment.€Š Hä Šš šThere€are€some€persons,šš€says€an€old€writer,€š š€notoriously€wicked,€who€swallow€sin€down,€actuallyŠ 4 Š Šand€openly€committing€it.€Others€hide€their€sin€under€their€tongues,€spare€it,€and€forsake€it€not,€butŠ  !¼ Škeep€it€still€within€their€mouths.€Job€20:12.€But€penitents€spit€it€out€as€the€worst€poison,€loathing€itŠ  "Ø Šin€their€judgment,€and€leaving€it€in€their€practice.šš€ņņFor€godly€sorrow€worketh€repentance€toŠ ų"” Šsalvation,€not€to€be€repented€of,€but€the€sorrow€of€the€world€worketh€death.€For€behold€this€self-sameŠ ä#€  Šthing,€that€ye€sorrowed€after€a€godly€sort.€What€carefulness€it€wrought€in€you;€yea,€what€clearingŠ Š$l! Šof€yourselves;€yea€what€indignation;€yea,€what€fear;€yea,€what€vehement€desire;€yea,€what€zeal;€yea,Š ¼%X" Šwhat€revenge!€In€all€things€ye€have€proved€yourselves€to€be€clear€in€this€matter!€óó2€Corinthians€7:10„Š Ø&D # Š11.€Some€profess€to€be€converted€by€the€gospel,€but€if€they€did€not€tell€us€so,€we€should€never€knowŠ ”'0!$ Šit.€There€is€no€appearance€of€a€change€in€the€heart,€from€any€change€of€life.€They€remain€as€light„Š €("% Šminded,€as€ill€tempered,€as€full€of€the€world,€as€frothy€in€their€conversation,€and€as€loose€in€theirŠ l)#& Šwalk€as€ever.€Be€not€deceived.€Bring€forth€fruits€meet€for€repentance,€for€by€such€fruits€only€can€itŠ X*ō#' Šbe€known.€The€convictions€which€are€not€strong€enough€to€subdue€the€dominion€of€sin,€and€deepŠ D+ą$( Šenough€to€penetrate€to€the€bottom€of€the€heart,€are€of€no€real€use.€Has€the€fornicator€become€chaste,Š 0,Ģ%) Šand€the€drunkard€sober?€Has€the€swearer€learned€to€fear€an€oath,€and€the€Sabbath-breaker€to€honourŠ d Šthe€sacred€day?€Has€the€careless€become€thoughtful,€the€proud€humble,€the€passionate€meek?€Is€theŠ Pģ Švulture€turned€into€a€dove,€and€the€lion€into€a€lamb?Š <Ų Šą  ąNor€is€it€enough€to€forsake€crimes€of€the€blackest€or€grossest€sort,€and€yet€live€in€the€practiceŠ ( Ä Šof€other€sins.€If€you€determine€to€indulge€one€lust,€though€in€a€cautious€and€concealed€way,€it€willŠ  ° Šprove€your€destruction.€As€the€least€sin€was€painful€to€Christ,€so€it€is€hateful€to€God,€and€hurtful€toŠ  œ Šthe€soul.€A€man€will€as€certainly€bleed€to€death€of€a€single€wound,€if€it€be€not€stanched€and€healed,Š ģ ˆ Šas€if€he€were€stabbed€with€an€hundred€daggers.€A€ship€will€sink€as€surely,€though€not€quite€soŠ Ų t Šspeedily,€from€one€small€leak€unstopped,€as€from€the€bursting€of€a€whole€plank.€Can€you€say,€withŠ Ä ` ŠDavid,€ņņI€esteem,€thy€precepts€in€all€things€to€be€right,€and€hate€every€false€way?€óóCan€you€part€withŠ °L  Šthe€idols€you€have€most€loved€and€adored?€Do€you€set€yourself€against€secret€sins,€as€much€as€againstŠ œ8  Šthose€which€are€open€and€well€known?Š ˆ$  Šą  ąIf€you€truly€hate€sin,€you€will€not€fail€to€shun€the€occasions€which€lead€to€it.Š t  Šą  ąThe€path€in€which€you€walk€is€full€of€dangers.€Many€things,€not€evil€in€themselves,€may€beŠ `ü  Šthe€occasions€of€evil€to€us.€That€which€proves€a€snare€to€one,€may€be€none€to€another.€Do€you€knowŠ Lč  Šyour€weak€side,€and€place€a€double€guard€there?€Are€you€acquainted€with€the€sin€which€most€easilyŠ 8Ō  Šbesets€you?€Do€you€make€Jobššs€covenant€with€your€eyes,€and€use€Davidššs€bridle€for€your€tongue?Š $Ą ŠDo€you€abstain€from€the€very€appearance€of€evil?€When€you€are€placed€in€a€strait,€do€you€choose€toŠ ¬ Šsuffer€rather€than€to€sin?€Excess€of€caution€is€better€than€self-confidence.€You€had€better,€says€one,Š ü˜ Šuse€bolts€and€locks,€than€leave€the€least€door€of€danger€open.€He€who€prays€not€to€be€led€intoŠ č„ Štemptation,€and€then€goes€forth€to€meet€it,€is€like€a€man€who€begs€he€may€not€be€hurt,€andŠ Ōp Šimmediately€puts€his€foot€upon€a€waspššs€nest,€or€his€hand€into€the€fire.Š Ą\ Šą  ąThe€same€hatred€to€sin,€which€leads€a€penitent€to€shun€its€allurements,€makes€him€thankfulŠ ¬H Šfor€every€restraint€that€prevents€his€committing€it,€when€he€is€either€provoked€by€ill€treatment,€orŠ ˜4 Štaken€by€surprise.€David€being€shamefully€insulted€by€that€foul-tongued€churl,€Nabal,€went€forth€inŠ „  Šthe€heat€of€his€anger€to€revenge€the€injury€he€had€received.€How€thankful€was€he€for€the€counsel€ofŠ p  ŠAbigail,€and€the€gracious€providence€which€sent€her€to€meet€him.€And€David€said€to€Abigail,€ņņBlessedŠ \ų Šbe€the€Lord€God€of€Israel,€which€sent€thee€this€day€to€meet€me;€and€blessed€be€thy€advice,€andŠ Hä Šblessed€be€thou€which,€hast€kept€me€this€day€from€coming€to€shed€blood,€and€to€avenge€myself€withŠ 4 Š Šmine€own€hand.€óó1€Samuel€25:32„33.Š  !¼ Šą  ąAnd€I€will€go€a€step€further,€and€observe€that,€where€repentance€is€sincere,€it€will€not€onlyŠ  "Ø Šlead€a€man€to€break€off€the€practice€of€sin,€but€also€to€repair,€as€far€as€possible,€the€mischief€be€hasŠ ų"” Šdone.€If€you€have€slandered€and€degraded€others,€you€ought€to€confess€it,€and€make€all€theŠ ä#€  Šsatisfaction€in€your€power.€When€Zacchaeus€was€converted,€he€became€both€generous€and€just.€HeŠ Š$l! Šwas€willing€to€give€the€half€of€his€goods€to€the€poor,€and€restore€fourfold€to€those€whom€he€hadŠ ¼%X" Šwronged.€A€servant€woman,€in€whom€her€master€placed€great€confidence,€but€who€had€robbed€him,Š Ø&D # Šat€various€times€to€a€considerable€amount,€was€awakened€under€the€ministry€of€Mr.€Pomfret.€SomeŠ ”'0!$ Šyears€after,€Mr.€Pomfret€was€insisting€upon€restitution,€as€a€necessary€part€of€repentance;€upon€whichŠ €("% Šshe€brought€the€money€to€Mr.€Pomfret,€acknowledging€what€she€had€done,€who€immediatelyŠ l)#& Šreturned€it€to€his€son,€saying,šš€Sir,€you€see€the€good€effects€of€the€word€of€God.ššŠ X*ō#' Šą  ąDo€you€hate€sin?€flee€from€it.€Do€you€watch€and€pray€against€its€allurements?€You,€perhaps,Š D+ą$( Šreply,šš€I€do€hate€it;€yet€I€cannot€keep€it€under.€I€pluck€it€up,€and€cast€it€out;€but,€the€roots€remaining,Š 0,Ģ%) Šit€springs€up€afresh.€O!€my€vain€thoughts€and€ungoverned€passions!€how€they€grieve€and€troubleŠ d Šme!šš€It€was€said,€by€Daniel€Burgess,šš€The€field€which€had€millions€of€weeds€in€it,€is,€nevertheless,Š Pģ Ša€cornfield.šš€Though€many€sins€rise,€if€you€are€a€penitent,€they€do€not€reign.€You€will€not€allow€sin,Š <Ų Šbut€carry€on€a€constant€war€against€it.Š ( Ä Šą  ąA€true€penitent€renounces€the€world.Š  ° Šą  ąDo€you€startle€with€surprise!€Mistake€not€my€meaning.€I€do€not€mean€that€you€should€giveŠ  œ Šup€your€business,€or€have€no€dealing€with€ungodly€men.€This,€as€it€would€be€almost€impossible,Š ģ ˆ Šwould€be€highly€improper.€Nor€do€I€mean€that€you€should€be€of€a€sour€or€unsociable€temper,€asŠ Ų t Šthough€it€were€a€sin€to€treat€others€with€civility€and€kindness.€Were€you€to€go€and€dwell€in€aŠ Ä ` Šwilderness,€it€would€be€no€proof€of€a€contrite€heart,€or€a€humble€spirit.€To€renounce€the€world€in€theŠ °L  Šbest€sense,€is,€to€give€up€its€false€maxims€and€opinions,€its€vain€customs€and€vicious€practices,€itsŠ œ8  Šfoolish€amusements€and€dangerous€pleasures.€You€must€part€with€all€these,€if€you€would€cleave€withŠ ˆ$  Špurpose€of€heart€to€the€Lord.€The€spirit€of€the€world,€and€the€spirit€of€the€gospel,€are€as€opposite€asŠ t  Šlight€and€darkness.€ņņNo€man€óó(said€Jesus)€ņņcan€serve€two€masters€;€for€either€he€will€love€the€one€andŠ `ü  Šhate€the€other,€or€else€he€will€hold€to€the€one€and€despise€the€other:€ye€cannot€serve€God€andŠ Lč  ŠMammon.€óóTo€endeavour€to€unite€things,€which€have€nothing€in€which€they€can€agree,€is€all€lostŠ 8Ō  Šlabour.€ņņLove€not€the€world,€neither€the€things€of€the€world.€If€any€man€love€the€world,€the€love€of€theŠ $Ą ŠFather€is€not€in€him.€óó1€John€2:15.€God€has€plainly€forbidden€you€to€follow€a€multitude€to€do€evil.Š ¬ ŠBad€examples€have€a€great€power€to€draw€men€into€sin.€From€the€time€you€become€penitent€andŠ ü˜ Špious,€you€are€not€allowed€to€mix€with€the€worldly-minded€and€wicked,€lest€they€should€beguile€orŠ č„ Šensnare€you.€ņņWherefore,€come€out€from€among€them,€and€be€ye€separate,€saith€the.€Lord,€and€touchŠ Ōp Šnot€the€unclean€thing;€and€I€will€receive€you,€and€will€be€a€Father€unto€you,€and€ye€shall€be€my€sonsŠ Ą\ Šand€daughters,€saith€the€Lord€Almighty.€óó2€Corinthians€6:17„18.€ņņBe€not€conformed€to€this€world;€butŠ ¬H Šbe€ye€transformed€by€the€renewing€of€your€mind,€that€ye€may€prove€what€is€that€good,€andŠ ˜4 Šacceptable,€and€perfect€will€of€God.€óóRomans€12:22.Š „  Šą  ąAnd€now€let€me€ask€you,€can€you€despise€the€smiles,€the€flatteries€and€pleasures€of€the€world?Š p  ŠIt€presents€a€thousand€charms€to€entice€and€entrap€you.€š šThe€wise€man€(says€Bishop€Hopkins)€sumsŠ \ų Šup€the€whole€value€of€the€world€in€a€great€cipher€and€a€great€blot€š"š€vanity€and€vexation!ššŠ Hä ŠExperience€proves€this€account€to€be€just.€Do€you€turn€away,€and€cry,€Farewell,€vain€world!€I€haveŠ 4 Š Štoo€long€been€mocked€with€thy€fair€shows€and€dancing€shadows!€I€have€too€long€believed€thy€falseŠ  !¼ Špromises,€and€followed€thy€pernicious€ways!€I€have€too€long€drunk€the€cup€of€thy€poisonous€sweets,Š  "Ø Šand€worn€thy€gaudy€livery€of€divers€colours!€Being€enlightened€from€above,€I,€cannot€admire,€andŠ ų"” Šwill€not€obey€thee!€And€what€is€all€thy€boasted€happiness?€š šA€notion€š"š€€a€day€dream€š"š€a€wish€š"šŠ ä#€  Ša€sigh€š"š€a€theme€to€be€talked€of€š"š€a€mark€to€be€shot€at,€but€never€hit€š"š€€a€picture€in€the€head€š"šŠ Š$l! Šand€a€pang€in€the€heart!šš€My€time€is€too€precious€to€be€bartered€for€thy€worthless€toys!€my€soul€isŠ ¼%X" Štoo€valuable€to€be€cast€away€for€thy€best€treasures€and€honours!Š Ø&D # Šą  ąBut€let€me€ask€again,€can€you€despise€the€frowns,€reproaches,€and€injuries€of€the€world?Š ”'0!$ Šą  ąš šIn€time€of€prosperity€(said€Flavel)€hypocrisy€lies€hid€in€the€heart,€like€a€nest€in€the€greenŠ €("% Šbushes;€but€when€the€winter€of€adversity€has€blown€away€the€leaves,€every€one€may€see€it€withoutŠ l)#& Šsearching.šš€If€you€are€truly€penitent,€it€will€be€seen€in€the€day€of€trial.€If€you€have€turned€to€God,Š X*ō#' Šexpect€the€outcries€of€the€world€against€you.€Can€you€stand€the€laugh€of€the€haughty€scorner?€CanŠ D+ą$( Šyou€bear€to€have€your€name€cast€out€as€evil?€Have€you€courage€to€be€singular?€Doubtless,€many€willŠ 0,Ģ%) Šthink€it€strange€that€ye€run€not€with€them€to€the€same€excess€of€riot,€speaking€evil€of€you.€Can€youŠ d Šswim€against€the€tide,€and€boldly€face€the€storm?€Can€you€take€up€the€cross,€and€go€forth€to€JesusŠ Pģ Šwithout€the€camp,€bearing€his€reproach?€Are€you€prepared€to€meet,€without€flinching€from€yourŠ <Ų Šprofession,€the€foulest€falsehoods€that€slander€can€invent;€and€the€sharpest€arrows€that€malice€canŠ ( Ä Šshoot?€Do€you,€like€Moses,€ņņchoose€affliction€with€the€people€of€God,€rather€than€enjoy€the€pleasuresŠ  ° Šof€sin€for€a€season?€óóLuther€used€to€say,šš€The€Christianššs€life€consists€in€three€points:€in€faith,€in€love,Š  œ Šand€in€the€cross.šš€Every€genuine€penitent€is€a€pilgrim€on€the€earth.€You€must€turn€your€back€uponŠ ģ ˆ Šthe€world,€and€go€forth€with€weeping€and€supplication:€earnestly€asking€the€way€to€Zion,€andŠ Ų t Špressing€towards€it.€While€you€were€in€a€league€of€friendship€with€the€world,€you€were€a€stranger€toŠ Ä ` ŠGod;€and€now€that€you€are€reconciled€to€God,€you€must€be€contented€to€live€a€stranger€in€the€world.Š °L  ŠDo€you€make€it€manifest€that€you€seek€a€better€country,€better€society,€better€employment,€betterŠ œ8  Štreasures,€and€better€delights€than€any€that€the€present€world€can€bestow?€Š ˆ$  Šą  ąA€true€penitent€resists€the€devil.€Š t  Šą  ąSatan€is€called,€ņņthe€god€of€this€world;€the€spirit€that€worketh€in€the€children€of€disobedience.Š `ü  ŠóóHe€watches€and€guards€his€slaves€with€the€jealousy€of€a€tyrant.€Though€he€is€always€active,€yet€weŠ Lč  Šhave€reason€to€believe€he€is€particularly€busy€with€the€young€convert.€When€a€man€becomes€seriousŠ 8Ō  Šand€thoughtful,€and€begins€to€seek€the€company€of€the€pious,€to€read€and€hear€the€word€withŠ $Ą Šattention,€and€pour€out€tears€and€prayers€before€God,€this€enemy€will€do€all€he€can€to€hinder€him.€IsŠ ¬ Šthe€good€seed€sown€?€he€tries€to€catch€it€up€and€carry€it€away.€When€any€one€is€convinced€of€the€guiltŠ ü˜ Šof€sin,€and€the€necessity€of€flying€to€Christ€for€safety,€he€labours€to€lull€him€into€slumber€andŠ č„ Šquietness;€if€this€scheme€fails,€he€hurries€him€into€the€world,€that€he€may€either€work€away€hisŠ Ōp Šconvictions€in€its€busy€employments,€or€sport€them€away€in€its€fluttering€amusements.€Having€theŠ Ą\ Šholy€scriptures,€we€are€not€ignorant€of€his€devices.€We€are€warned€of€them,€that€we€may€be€armedŠ ¬H Šagainst€them.€Now,€of€these€devices€there€are€two€kinds,€which€he€employs€as€occasion€requires:€heŠ ˜4 Šeither€tempts€by€something€that€allures;€or€terrifies€by€something€which€alarms.Š „  Šą  ąHe€often€tries€to€tempt,€by€presenting€something€which€allures.€The€apostle€speaks€of€theŠ p  Šwiles€of€the€devil.€Simon€Magus,€who,€it€is€said,€a€long€time€bewitched€the€people,€was€but€anŠ \ų Šunder-workman€that€took€his€lessons€from€this€great€sorcerer.€He€was€but€a€bungler€in€the€art,Š Hä Šcompared€with€this€more€subtle€and€successful€master.€Satan€has€a€thousand€methods€to€deceive€andŠ 4 Š Šdestroy€the€souls€of€men.€How€artfully€does€he€spread€his€nets€and€hang€out€his€false€colours!€HowŠ  !¼ Šcraftily€does€he€prepare€his€baits,€and€so€present€them,€that€the€hooks€are€neither€seen€nor€suspected!Š  "Ø ŠHe€beguiled€Eve€by€the€fair€but€forbidden€fruit;€and€since€that€time€he€has€increased€his€skill,€by€longŠ ų"” Šexperience€and€great€success.€Then,€he€had€but€one€narrow€opening,€as€a€way€of€approach;€but€now,Š ä#€  Šthe€fences€being€broken€down,€he€has€many€free€passages.€Then,€he€had€but€one€lure;€now,€he€hasŠ Š$l! Šmyriads!€He€can€suit€every€state€and€case.€Yet,€as€Bishop€Hopkins€observes,šš€His€most€prevailingŠ ¼%X" Štemptation€is€worldly€wealth.€ņņAll€these€things€will€I€give€thee,€if€thou€wilt€fall€down€and€worship€me.Š Ø&D # ŠóóMatthew€4:9.€When€this€battery€could€not€make€a€breach,€he€raised€a€siege,€despairing€of€success.ššŠ ”'0!$ Šą  ąSatan€often€tries€to€terrify,€by€presenting€something€to€alarm.€He€changes€his€policy€to€answerŠ €("% Šhis€purpose.€If€he€cannot€draw,€he€labours€to€drive€men€from€religion.€When€a€poor€sinner€begins€toŠ l)#& Šinquire€what€he€shall€do€to€be€saved,€and€turns€his€eyes€to€the€only€sufficient€Refuge,€Satan€says,Š X*ō#' Šš šyou€have€gone€too€far€to€return;€your€sin€is€too€great€to€be€forgiven!€Talk€not€of€promises;€they€areŠ D+ą$( Šnot€for€you,€but€for€others!€Think€not€of€making€prayers€and€confessions;€for€they€will€be€vain€andŠ 0,Ģ%) Šuseless?Š d Šą  ąNow,€when€this€serpent€would€tempt€you€with€his€wiles;€when€this€lion€would€terrify€youŠ Pģ Šwith€his€roars,€do€you€yield€or€oppose€him?€Do€you€hold€a€parley€with€him?€or€instantly€cry€out,€ņņGetŠ <Ų Šthee€behind€me,€Satan?€óóJames€says,€ņņResist€the€devil,€and€he€will€flee€from€you.€óóPerhaps€you€ask,€howŠ ( Ä Šcan€I€resist?€I€answer:€you€have€both€good€armour€provided,€and€a€great€Captain€at€hand€to€help€you.Š  ° ŠTurn€not€away€with€dastardly€cowardice.€If€you€are€a€true€penitent,€you€must€have€many€a€battle€withŠ  œ ŠBeelzebub.€And€I€would€ask,€do€you€now€determine€to€resist€him€steadfast€in€the€faith?€Do€youŠ ģ ˆ Šdistrust€yourself,€that€you€may€be€ņņstrong€in€the€Lord€and€in€the€power€of€his€might?€óóDo€you€ņņtake€untoŠ Ų t Šyou€the€whole€armour€of€God,€that€you€may€be€able€to€stand€in€the€evil€day;€and€having€done€all,€toŠ Ä ` Šstand?€óóAre€ņņyour€loins€girded€with€truth?óó€Is€your€heart€guarded€with€ņņthe€breast-plate€ofŠ °L  Šrighteousness?€óóand€your€head€with€ņņthe€helmet€of€salvation?€óóDo€you€take€ņņthe€sword€of€the€Spirit€óóinŠ œ8  Šone€hand,€and€ņņthe€shield€of€faith,€to€quench€the€fiery€darts€of€the€wicked€one,€in€the€other?€óóDo€youŠ ˆ$  Šnot€only€fight,€but€also€pray€with€all€prayer€and€supplication€for€timely€succour€and€deliverance?Š t  ŠThese€things€prove€that€your€repentance€is€of€the€right€kind.€Be€not€dismayed;€for€you€shall€findŠ `ü  ŠGodššs€grace€in€assisting€you€above€Satanššs€malice€in€assaulting€you.Š Lč  Šą  ąA€true€penitent€loves€Christ,€and€longs€to€be€conformed€to€his€likeness.Š 8Ō  Šą  ąA€carnal€or€worldly€man€wonders€to€hear€Christians€speak€in€such€affectionate€and€endearingŠ $Ą Šlanguage€of€the€adorable€Redeemer,€and€considers€it€all€hypocrisy€and€delusion!€But€he,€whose€mindŠ ¬ Šis€enlightened,€and€whose€heart€is€renewed,€cries€out€with€one€of€the€martyrs,€š š€None€but€Christ!Š ü˜ Šnone€but€Christ!šš€Austin€tells€us,€that€Marcellina€hung€the€picture€of€Christ,€and€the€picture€ofŠ č„ ŠPythagoras€together,€dividing€her€admiration€between€them.€And€are€there€not€too€many€who€seemŠ Ōp Što€think€they€can€give€an€equal€share€of€their€affection€to€the€Saviour€and€to€the€creature?€But€doesŠ Ą\ ŠEmmanuel,€who€gave€himself€wholly€for€us,€deserve€no€more€than€half€the€heart?€What!€can€youŠ ¬H Šview€the€glory€of€God€in€the€face€of€Jesus€Christ,€and€not€adore€him?€Can€you€consider€his€amazingŠ ˜4 Šcondescension€and€kindness,€and€not€love€him?€Can€vou€think€of€his€honourable€titles€and€importantŠ „  Šoffices,€and€not€trust€him?€No!€If€you€discern€the€greatness€of€his€power,€the€brightness€of€his€glory,Š p  Šthe€fulness€of€his€grace,€and€the€riches€of€his€kingdom,€you€will€cheerfully€give€him€the€throne€ofŠ \ų Šyour€heart,€and€account€every€thing€else€but€dross€and€dung,€compared€with€his€excellency.€PlutarchŠ Hä Šthe€historian€relates,€that€when€a€certain€lady€shewed€her€fine€furniture€to€the€wife€of€Phocion,€andŠ 4 Š Šthen€asked€what€she€had€to€shew?€her€answer€was,€š šMy€excellent€husband!šš€When€precious€stonesŠ  !¼ Šand€valuable€jewels€were€brought€forth,€and€the€same€question€put,€she€gave€a€similar€answer:€š šAllŠ  "Ø Šmy€wealth,€honour,€and€happiness€is€in€my€excellent€husband.šš€Thus,€a€sincere€Christian€can€say,Š ų"” ŠChrist€is€all€and€in€all.€He€is€the€pearl€of€great€price€š"š€the€portion€of€my€soul!€Having€him,€I€cannotŠ ä#€  Šbe€poor;€without€him,€the€whole€world€could€not€make€me€rich!Š Š$l! Šą  ąņņThe€love€of€Christ€constraineth€us€óó(says€Paul)€ņņbecause€we€thus€judge,€that€if€one€died€for€all,Š ¼%X" Šthen€were€all€dead:€And€that€he€died€for€all,€that€they€which€live€should€not€henceforth€live€untoŠ Ø&D # Šthemselves,€but€unto€Him€that€died€for€them€and€rose€again.€óó2€Corinthians€5:14„15.€What€the€apostleŠ ”'0!$ Šhere€speaks€of,€is€not€a€painful,€but€a€pleasant€constraint.€What€band€can€so€sweetly€draw€the€soul,Š €("% Šas€the€love€of€Christ!€What€fire€can€so€effectually€melt€the€heart,€as€the€love€of€Christ!€If€you€areŠ l)#& Šabased€for€sin,€it€will€appear€in€your€readiness€to€exalt€and€imitate€the€Saviour.€Sometimes€theŠ X*ō#' Šsincere€Christian€is€depressed€under€a€consciousness€of€imperfection,€and€begins€to€cry€out,€š š€Alas!Š D+ą$( Šhow€small€is€my€love€to€Christ!€I€have€reason€to€doubt,€whether€I€have€any€at€all!šš€That€you€may€notŠ 0,Ģ%) Šbe€discouraged,€remember€that€it€is€said€of€Jesus,€ņņHe€shall€not€break€the€bruised€reed,€nor€quenchŠ d Šthe€smoking€flax.€óóIsaiah€4:2.€He€will€not€despise€ņņthe€day€of€small€things.€óóIt€€has€been€justly€said€byŠ Pģ Šan€ingenious€author,šš€One€rose€upon€a€bush,€though€but€a€little€one,€and€not€yet€blown,€proves€thatŠ <Ų Šwhich€bears€it€to€be€a€true€rose-tree.ššŠ ( Ä Šą  ąThere€is€a€kind€of€legal€repentance,€which€has€in€it€no€mixture€of€love€to€God,€or€love€toŠ  ° Šholiness.€Many,€like€Ahab,€have€put€on€sackcloth€and€ashes,€who€were€never€clothed€with€humility.Š  œ ŠThey€have€had€their€frights€and€fits€of€trembling,€and€yet€turned€to€their€course€again,€as€the€horseŠ ģ ˆ Šrusheth€into€the€battle.€Though€you€should€repent€a€thousand€times€in€this€way,€you€would€be€noŠ Ų t Šbetter€for€it.Š Ä ` Šą  ąLet€me€ask,€do€you€own€the€authority€of€Christ€as€the€King€of€Zion?€and€draw€nigh€to€touchŠ °L  Šthe€sceptre€of€mercy,€that€you€may€live?€Do€you€wish€to€embrace€him€in€the€arms€of€faith,€as€the€onlyŠ œ8  ŠSaviour?€Do€you€see€his€all-sufficiency,€and€make€an€entire€surrender€of€your€soul€into€his€hands?Š ˆ$  ŠCan€you€give€up€every€self-righteous€trust,€and€say,€Lord!€I€am€a€rebel!€let€me€be€reconciled€andŠ t  Šreceived€with€thy€friends;€I€am€a€stranger€š"š€adopt€me€into€thy€family,€and€put€me€among€thyŠ `ü  Šchildren:€I€desire€to€be€guided€by€thy€word,€washed€in€thy€blood,€clothed€in€thy€righteousness,Š Lč  Šfortified€by€thy€power,€cheered€with€thy€smiles,€supplied€from€thy€stores€and€at€last,€numberedŠ 8Ō  Šamong€thy€jewels?Š $Ą Šą  ąPaul€expressly€affirms,€that€ņņif€any€man€have€not€the€spirit€of€Christ,€he€is€none€of€his.€óóRomansŠ ¬ Š8:9.€It€is€impossible,€truly,€to€love€Christ,€and€not€bear€something€of€his€likeness.€Every€real€penitentŠ ü˜ Šis€made€yielding€and€submissive.€He€is€like€clay;€first€softened,€that€it€may€be€cast€into€the€mould;Š č„ Šand€formed€into€a€vessel,€bearing€the€masterššs€name,€and€fitted€for€the€masterššs€use.€Many€whoŠ Ōp Šwould€be€reckoned€among€Christians,€shew€a€lamentable€deficiency€in€this€respect:€their€tempers€andŠ Ą\ Šdispositions€have€none€of€that€mildness€or€sweetness,€which€the€gospel€ought€to€produce:€religionŠ ¬H Šhas€not€made€them€more€amiable€and€useful,€than€they€were€without€it.€We€read€of€the€meekness€andŠ ˜4 Šgentleness€of€Christ;€but€we€look€in€vain€to€find€them€in€such€professors€as€these.€Now,€do€you€wishŠ „  Što€bear€the€image€of€Christ?€Do€you€willingly€take€his€yoke€and€wear€it?€Are€you€bold€enough€toŠ p  Šconfess€him€before€men?€Do€you€desire€to€learn€wisdom€under€his€teaching?€Do€you€admire€andŠ \ų Šimitate€your€Master?€Do€you€wish€and€pray€to€be€kind,€like€him;€humble,€like€him;€patient,€like€him;Š Hä Šholy,€like€him?€Do€you€daily€endeavour€to€trace€his€steps,€and€walk€as€he€walked;€sincerely€mourningŠ 4 Š Šover€all€your€wanderings€and€backslidings?€Do€you€set€before€you€his€fair€example,€and,€while€youŠ  !¼ Šcopy€it,€lament€every€blot€occasioned€through€your€carelessness€and€inattention?€When€others€fallŠ  "Ø Šaway,€do€you€feel€for€the€state€of€their€souls,€and€for€the€dishonour€cast€upon€religion€in€the€world?Š ų"” ŠWhen€corruption€rises€up€within€you,€and€works€in€pride,€anger,€and€impatience,€are€you€more€afraidŠ ä#€  Šof€offending€God€and€grieving€his€holy€Spirit,€than€of€drawing€upon€you€the€displeasure€of€men?€HeŠ Š$l! Šwho€knows€and€loves€Christ,€will€in€some€degree€resemble€him.€The€threatenings€may€sometimesŠ ¼%X" Šfrighten€a€man€from€committing€bold€acts€of€sin;€but€the€great€and€precious€promises€only,€can€makeŠ Ø&D # Šhim€a€partaker€of€a€divine€nature.€But,€that€this€may€be€the€case,€the€promises€must€be€received€withŠ ”'0!$ Šfaith.€Every€promise€has€its€excellency€from€Christ,€and€its€efficacy€by€faith.€None€but€polishedŠ €("% Šbodies€can€reflect€the€images€of€things.€It€would€be€foolish€to€use€a€lump€of€black€earth€for€aŠ l)#& Šlooking-glass!€The€mind,€while€encrusted€with€ignorance,€impenitence,€and€unbelief,€can€neverŠ X*ō#' Šreflect€the€image€of€Christ.€When€once€it€is€renewed€and€becomes€spiritual,€the€glorious€RedeemerŠ D+ą$( Šis€then€both€the€object€it€loves,€and€the€model€it€imitates.€And€can€you€say,€š šBlessed€be€God,€I€amŠ 0,Ģ%) Šsick€of€sin€and€weary€of€the€world;€but€Christ€is€altogether€lovely€in€my€eyes:€I€desire€to€have€everyŠ d Šfeature€of€his€image€stamped€upon€my€soul;€I€long€to€have€my€thoughts€more€raised€and€refined,€andŠ Pģ Šmy€affections€more€holy€and€ardent;€I€do€follow€his€steps,€whether€men€praise€or€blame€me€š"š€andŠ <Ų Šcopy€his€example,€though€in€a€very€imperfect€manner;€I€pray€to€be€a€living€epistle€of€Christ,€knownŠ ( Ä Šand€read€of€all€men?šš€These€are€marks€of€sincere€repentance.Š  ° Šą  ąFrom€what€has€been€said,€I€shall€make€a€few€observations.Š  œ Šą  ąObserve€it€is€highly€important€that€you€should€know€whether€you€are€truly€penitent€or€not.Š ģ ˆ Šą  ąThe€generality€of€men€are€in€no€degree€concerned€about€this€matter.€Some€imagine,€thoughŠ Ų t Šwithout€ground,€that€they€have€repented€already,€and€therefore€conclude€they€are€safe,€at€all€events.Š Ä ` ŠIt€is€easy€to€see€how€dangerous€such€a€notion€is;€and€yet€how€prone€we€are€to€entertain€it!€Most€areŠ °L  Šglad€of€any€thing,€which€will€save€them€from€present€pain€and€trouble.Š œ8  Šą  ąSuppose€a€man€have€a€deep€and€dangerous€wound€in€his€leg€or€arm;€he€goes€to€a€surgeon€andŠ ˆ$  Šhas€it€examined.€The€surgeon€says,šš€Friend?€I€am€sorry€your€case€is€so€bad:€but,€I€must€faithfully€tellŠ t  Šyou,€amputation€is€absolutely€necessary!šš€The€man€turns€pale,€and€cries,šš€Oh,€Sir!€€I€hope€not:€youŠ `ü  Šmust€try€to€cure€it€without€such€a€painful€operation!šš€He€replies,šš€It€is€impossible!€I€tell€you€plainly,Š Lč  Šyou€must€lose€your€limb€or€your€life:€for€both€cannot€be€preserved!šš€The€man€then€goes€to€someŠ 8Ō  Šignorant€pretender€to€skill,€and€opens€his€case€to€him.€He€looks€at€it,€and€then€wonders€that€any€oneŠ $Ą Šshould€be€so€rash€or€cruel,€as€to€talk€of€amputation.€š šIt€is,€indeed,€(says€he)€a€dreadful€wound;€but,Š ¬ Šwith€a€little€mollifying€ointment€and€proper€care,€I€have€no€doubt€it€will€soon€be€healed.šš€We€mayŠ ü˜ Šeasily€judge€which€of€the€two,€the€poor€man€would€be€most€ready€to€believe;€and€the€advice€firstŠ č„ Šgiven€might,€after€all,€be€the€best.€The€same€reasoning€will€hold€good€in€regard€to€the€state€of€theŠ Ōp Šsoul.€Our€Lord€speaks€of€ņņcutting€off€a€right€hand,€óóand€ņņplucking€out€a€right€eye,€óóto€denote€theŠ Ą\ Šnecessity€of€a€total€separation€from€every€beloved€sin.Š ¬H Šą  ąA€day€is€coming€that€will€try€every€manššs€state€and€work.€You€can€lose€nothing€by€examiningŠ ˜4 Šyourself€impartially€before€the€Judge€appears.€But€should€you?€rest€on€an€ill-grounded€assurance€ofŠ „  Šyour€salvation,€and€find€your€mistake€when€there€can€be€no€opportunity€of€rectifying€what€is€wrong,Š p  Šor€repenting€at€the€foot€of€the€cross,€your€state€will€be€desperate.€When€Christ€comes,€he€will€bringŠ \ų Šhis€fan€in€his€hand€and€thoroughly€purge€his€floor.€If€the€devil€were€allowed€to€winnow,€he€wouldŠ Hä Šsoon€blow€away€both€the€chaff€and€the€corn€as€with€a€whirlwind,€but€Christ€will€separate€them,€andŠ 4 Š Šwhile€he€gathers€the€wheat€into€his€garner€without€losing€one€precious€grain,€he€will€burn€up€theŠ  !¼ Šchaff€with€unquenchable€fire.€You€may€be€thankful€that€the€fan€is€in€safe€and€good€hands.Š  "Ø Šą  ąObserve€it€is€very€necessary€to€be€careful€in€examining€yourself,€or€your€labour€will€all€beŠ ų"” Šlost.€Four€things€have€been€mentioned€as€evidences€of€repentance.€I€shall€briefly€review€them,€andŠ ä#€  Šbeg€you€to€make€an€application€to€yourself€as€I€proceed.Š Š$l! Šą  ąIt€has€been€said,€the€true€penitent€forsakes€sin.€Let€it,€however,€be€remembered,€that€it€isŠ ¼%X" Špossible€to€forsake€the€act€of€some€particular€sin€for€a€time,€and€not€put€off€the€habit.€We€do€not€sayŠ Ø&D # Šthe€moment€it€ceases€to€rain,€the€weather€is€fine,€when€we€see€the€tempest€still€thick€in€the€wind.€ItŠ ”'0!$ Šis€a€fit€and€familiar€comparison€which€Gurnall€uses,€š š€We€do€not€say€that€a€man€forsakes€his€houseŠ €("% Ševery€time€he€leaves€home,€but€only€when€he€quits€it€with€the€full€purpose€never€to€return.šš€The€sameŠ l)#& Šmay€be€said€with€respect€to€our€forsaking€sin.€Where€sincere€repentance€takes€place,€there€will€beŠ X*ō#' Šno€allowance€of€iniquity.€ņņHe€that€walketh€righteously€and€speaketh€uprightly;€he€that€despiseth€theŠ D+ą$( Šgain€of€oppressions,€that€shaketh€his€hands€from€holding€of€bribes,€that€stoppeth€his€ears€fromŠ 0,Ģ%) Šhearing€of€blood,€and€shutteth€his€eyes€from€seeing€of€evil,€óóproves€that€the€root€of€real€religion€is€inŠ d Šhim.Š Pģ Šą  ąI€have€said€that€a€true€penitent€renounces€the€world.€You€may€reply,€I€have€now€given€up€myŠ <Ų Šyouthful€follies€and€vain€pursuits.€But€you€have€need€to€be€careful€how€you€judge€by€this€rule.€A€manŠ ( Ä Šmay€quit€the€circle€of€fashion,€plunge€into€the€tumults€of€business,€and€at€last€sink€into€the€stupor€ofŠ  ° Šease€and€indolence,€and€all€the€while€remain€wedded€to€the€world.€To€be€carnally€minded,€thoughŠ  œ Šwith€a€considerable€variety€of€feelings€and€pursuits,€is€death.€The€fever€may€be€followed€by€a€palsy,Š ģ ˆ Šand€the€issue€be€still€fatal.€The€wild€worldling€and€the€tame€worldling€are€of€the€same€species.€TheŠ Ų t Šdifference€between€the€youth€and€age€of€many€persons,€is€similar€to€the€difference€there€is€betweenŠ Ä ` Ša€gay€butterfly€on€the€wing,€and€a€sluggish€worm€grovelling€in€the€dust.Š °L  Šą  ąI€have€said€that€a€true€penitent€resists€the€devil.€You€may€reply,€This€too€I€have€done.€ManyŠ œ8  Štemptations€have€been€laid€in€my€way€with€which€I€have€refused€to€comply.€But€what€made€youŠ ˆ$  Šrefuse?€It€might€be€your€convenience,€not€your€conscience.€Some€change€their€sins€as€they€do€theirŠ t  Šclothes,€and€so€wait€upon€their€old€infernal€master€in€a€new€livery.Š `ü  Šą  ąI€have€said€that€the€true€penitent€loves€Christ,€and€longs€to€be€like€him.€You€may€say,€I€thinkŠ Lč  Šhighly€of€the€Redeemer,€and€hope€to€be€saved€by€him.€And€how€is€this€manifested?€If€you€have€anŠ 8Ō  Šearthly€friend,€you€burn€with€indignation€to€see€him€ill€treated,€or€hear€him€slandered€andŠ $Ą Šdishonoured.€And€can€you€sit€unmoved€while€scoffers€blaspheme€that€worthy€name€by€which€we€areŠ ¬ Šcalled?€Can€you€witness€dishonour€cast€upon€Christ€and€his€truth€without€being€grieved,€and€rousedŠ ü˜ Što€take€off€the€foul€reproach?€Is€this€thy€kindness€to€thy€best€friend?€A€real€love€to€Christ,€and€aŠ č„ Šdesire€to€be€like€him€cannot€be€hid.€You€must€shew€them€in€various€ways.€Now€examine€yourselfŠ Ōp Šby€these€evidences.Š Ą\ Šą  ąBut€what€shall€I€say€to€you,€if,€by€the€foregoing€pages€you€are€fully€convinced€that€you€areŠ ¬H Šyet€in€a€state€of€impenitence?€There€is€not€a€moment€to€be€lost.€O,€weigh€well€the€worth€of€yourŠ ˜4 Šimmortal,€soul.€Set€death€and€judgment€before€you.€Christ€stands€with€open€arms€ready€to€receiveŠ „  Šyou.€While€the€gospel€sounds,€hear€and€your€soul€shall€live.€Let€not€gains€and€cares€entangle€you;Š p  Šlet€not€toys€and€trifles€divert€you;€let€not€errors€and€vain€hopes€delude€you.€Fly,€fly€without€delay€toŠ \ų Šthe€Redeemer.€Are€you.€saying,€Lord,€I€come€to€thee.€Lo!€I€fall€at€thy€feet,€that€I€may€put€off€the€ironŠ Hä Šyoke€of€bondages€and€put€on€thy€easy€yoke€of€obedience.€I€have€opened€my€mouth€and€given€upŠ 4 Š Šmyself,€and€I€cannot,€I€dare€not€go€back.€Lord,€I€will€follow€thee€through€pains€and€changes,€throughŠ  !¼ Šhonour€and€dishonour.€I€can€gladly€say€amen,€may€it€be€so.€Witness€ye€angels,€and€second€the€solemnŠ  "Ø Švow.€But€remember€when€you€put€your€hand€to€the€plough€you€must€not€stand€still,€nor€so€much€asŠ ų"” Šlook€back,€but€persevere€to€the€end.€If€like€Peterššs,€your€resolution€rests€on€your€own€strength,€likeŠ ä#€  Šhis€it€will€assuredly€fail€when€the€trial€comes.€Oh€look€unto€Jesus,€the€author€and€finisher€of€faith,Š Š$l! Šthat€you€may€be€strengthened,€with€all€might€by€his€Spirit€in€the€inner€man,€and€so€run€the€heavenlyŠ ¼%X" Šrace€as€to€obtain€the€immortal€prize.Š Ø&D # Šą  ąObserve€that€if€you€have€some€evidences€of€repentance,€you€ought€not€to€be€always€doubtingŠ ”'0!$ Šand€complaining.Š €("% Šą  ąSome€sincere€Christians€are€so€much€engrossed€with€their€fears€that€they€gain€little€advantageŠ l)#& Šfrom€their€hopes.€Such€persons€resemble€seamen,€so€intent€in€watching€the€coming€storm,€as€to€loseŠ X*ō#' Štheir€sheet€anchor€which€should€secure€them€in€a€hurricane.€You€may€cry€out,€O€that€I€had€but€theŠ D+ą$( Šproofs€of€having€undergone€a€thorough€change,€and€I€should€be€happy!€Would€to€God€I€could€speakŠ 0,Ģ%) Šwith€the€same€well-grounded€confidence€which€many€can.€Do€not€always€look€on€the€dark€side€ofŠ d Šthe€cloud.€š šA€repining€life,šš€said€one,€š š€is€but€a€lingering€death.šš€Do€not€always€hang€your€harp€uponŠ Pģ Šthe€willows,€or€tune€it€to€melancholy€strains.€š šUnreasonable€fears€are€the€sins€of€our€hearts€as€wellŠ <Ų Šas€thorns€in€our€sides:€they€grieve€the€Spirit€and€provoke€him€to€withdraw€his€comfortingŠ ( Ä Šinfluences.ššŠ  ° Šą  ąIf€you€have€not€so€bright€evidence€of€an€inward€change€as€some€have,€be€not€always€poringŠ  œ Šupon€your€own€state,€and€labouring€to€spell€out€the€reality€of€your€personal€religion,€by€the€tenureŠ ģ ˆ Šof€your€frames€and€feelings.€It€is€useless€to€cry,€Oh€that€I€had€assurance€in€the€same€way€as€Elijah,Š Ų t Šor€Hezekiah,€Paul,€or€John.€Having€the€ordinary€means€of€grace,€it€is€wrong€to€expect€miracles.€IfŠ Ä ` Šthe€enemy€can€draw€you€into€doubts€and€despondencies,€so€as€to€entangle€the€soul,€he€will€triumphŠ °L  Šin€your€distress.€Let€nothing€keep€you€back€from€the€throne€of€grace.€If€you€doubt€whether€the€workŠ œ8  Šis€yet€begun,€pray€that€it€may€be€begun.€If€you€cannot€go€to€God€with€a€broken€heart,€go€to€him€ņņforŠ ˆ$  Šóóa€broken€heart.€He€waiteth€to€be€gracious,€and€is€exalted€to€shew€mercy.€He€never€said€to€the€seedŠ t  Šof€Jacob,€Seek€ye€me€in€vain.Š `ü  ŠĢßA€^ ) °°` dE<7` Aߊ 8Ō  ŠĢņ ņó óÓ  ÓCHAPTER€VI.Š 3Ļ ŠĢņņOn€the€Encouragements€Given€to€the€Penitent.€óóŠ  § ŠÓB‰ÓĢą  ąThe€Saviour€was€sent€to€bind€up€the€broken„hearted,€and€set€at€liberty€them€that€were€bound.Š ć ŠEvery€word€in€the€gospel€speaks€encouragement€to€the€humble.€But€perhaps€you€may€say,€I€have€noŠ Ļk Šdoubt€that€God€is€gracious€to€hear€the€prayer€of€the€penitent,€but€I€fear€this€is€not€my€character.€SomeŠ »W Špersons€can€tell€the€time€of€their€awakening,€and€even€the€means€which€God€used€for€that€purpose,Š §C Šbut€I€cannot.€They€can€mention€the€books,€the€sermons,€or€the€very€texts€which€touched€their€hearts,Š “/ Šand€drew€forth€the€earliest€cry,€What€shall€we€do?€but€though€I€am€sensible€of€my€lost€condition,€itŠ  Šis€impossible€for€me€to€trace€back€my€concern€to€any€particular€season,€or€instrumental€cause.Š k ŠSuppose€a€man€deeply€in€debt€thus€to€tell€his€tale€to€a€neighbour,€I€have€long€feared€that€my€businessŠ Wó Šand€my€books€were€in€a€bad€state,€but€now€I€am€sure€it€is€so.€I€cannot€say€exactly€when,€or€by€whatŠ C ß Šmeans€I€first€began€to€perceive€this.€Sometimes€I€suspected€it,€and€soon€after€forgot€my€fears;€thenŠ /!Ė Šthe€alarm€returned€afresh,€as€my€creditors€brought€new€demands€which€I€could€not€answer.€ThisŠ "· Šneighbour€replies,€of€what€consequence€is€it€for€you€to€know€when€you€first€found€out€yourŠ #£  Šdeficiency?€I€am€acquainted€with€a€rich€friend€who€will€be€bound€for€you.€All€you€have€to€do€is,€toŠ ó#! Šgo€without€delay€to€this€surety,€and€commit€your€affairs€into€his€hands.€Would€not€such€advice€beŠ ß${" Šthe€best?€You€too€are€deeply€in€debt.€You€have€no€means€of€paying€the€long€arrears.€Now€if€you€areŠ Ė%g# Šfully€convinced€of€this,€I€recommend€to€you€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ,€the€friend€of€sinners.€He€is€readyŠ ·&S $ Što€become€your€security,€and€answer€every€demand.€Or€suppose€a€man€to€say,€I€have€long€felt€myselfŠ £'?!% Šunwell,€my€health€is€gone;€but€really€I€cannot€tell€when€I€first€perceived€the€symptoms€of€myŠ (+"& Šdisorder.€Some€persons€can€declare€the€place€where,€and€the€manner€how€they€were€first€struck€withŠ {)#' Špain,€or€seized€with€sickness;€but€alas!€it€is€not€so€with€me.€I€should€say€to€such€an€one,€the€questionŠ g*$( Šis€not€when€you€began€to€know€your€disorder,€do€you€now€know€it?€If€so,€all€you€have€to€do,€is€toŠ S+ļ$) Šgo€without€delay€to€the€best€Physician.€Thus€whenever€there€is€a€due€sense€of€sin,€I€would€say,€hastenŠ ?,Ū%* Što€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ.€It€is€of€little€consequence€whether€you€were€awakened€suddenly€orŠ d Šgradually,€your€chief€concern€now€lies€in€the€means€of€obtaining€relief.Š Pģ Šą  ąWhile€I€proceed€to€give€encouragement€to€the€penitent,€I€feel€somewhat€at€a€loss,€not€for€wantŠ <Ų Šof€matter,€but€to€know€how€to€select€from€the€abundance€which€offers,€that€which€may€be€mostŠ ( Ä Šsuitable.€We€can€scarcely€look€into€the€Bible,€but€we€find€something€to€animate€the€contrite€andŠ  ° Šhumble.€I€have€gathered€a€few€things,€and€you€may€go€to€the€same€rich€treasury,€and€gather€the€restŠ  œ Šfor€yourself.€After€I€have€said€a€few€words,€I€must€own€with€the€queen€of€Sheba,€that€the€half€cannotŠ ģ ˆ Šbe€told.€Are€you€sensible€of€your€guilt€and€condemnation,€your€want€and€misery,€your€pollution€andŠ Ų t Šhelplessness,€then€I€would€direct€you€to€those€promises€which€hold€out€pardon,€adoption,€and€theŠ Ä ` Šsanctifying€power€of€the€Holy€Spirit.Š °L  Šą  ąThe€scriptures€promise€ņņpardon€óóto€the€penitent.Š œ8  Šą  ąForgiveness€is€a€blessing€so€suitable€to€fallen€man,€so€sweet€and€precious€to€the€humble€soul,Š ˆ$  Šthat€it€cannot€be€too€earnestly€sought,€or€too€highly€valued.€The€angels€who€sinned€are€confinedŠ t  Šunder€chains€of€darkness€unto€the€judgment€of€the€great€day.€The€call€to€repentance,€or€the€sound€ofŠ `ü  Šsalvation,€was€never€heard€in€hell.€In€that€dismal€prison€no€gleam€of€hope€shines,€no€fountain€ofŠ Lč  Šmercy€flows.€The€Redeemer€says,€ņņTo€you,€O€men,€I€call,€and€my€voice€is€to€the€sons€of€men.€óóWhenŠ 8Ō  ŠGod€pardons€our€sins,€he€is€said€to€ņņblot€them€out,€óóto€ņņremove€them€as€far€as€the€east€is€from€the€west,Š $Ą Šóóor€to€ņņcast€them€into€the€depths€of€the€sea.€óóThese€expressions€not€only€throw€light€upon€the€subjectŠ ¬ Šof€forgiveness,€but€also€afford€peculiar€encouragement€to€the€penitent.€Though€his€sins€should€beŠ ü˜ Šever€so€numerous,€or€ever€so€odious,€they€shall€not€appear€against€him€for€his€condemnation.€ThoughŠ č„ Šyou€should€owe€more€than€ten€thousand€talents,€the€book€being€crossed,€you€shall€stand€completelyŠ Ōp Šclear.€Though€your€sins€be€like€a€cloud,€which€blackens€the€face€of€heaven,€burdens€the€air,€andŠ Ą\ Šgathers€a€mighty€tempest,€they€shall€be€entirely€and€forever€removed.€Isaiah€44:22.€This€is€one€of€theŠ ¬H Šchief€blessings€secured€to€men€by€the€glorious€covenant€of€grace.€ņņFor€I€will€be€merciful€to€theirŠ ˜4 Šunrighteousness,€and€their,€sins€and€their€iniquities€will€1€remember€no€more.€óóHebrews€8:1„12.€Dr.Š „  ŠOwen€justly€observes,€š šThat€the€pardon€bestowed€by€God,€is€not€like€that€narrow,€difficult,€halvingŠ p  Šforgiveness,€that€is€found€among€men,€when€any€such€thing€is€found€among€them;€but€it€is€full,€free,Š \ų Šbottomless,€boundless,€absolute,€such€as€becomes€his€nature€and€excellencies.šš€Now€if€you€reallyŠ Hä Šwish€this€invaluable€blessing,€the€gospel€brings€it€in€its€bosom,€and€offers€it€without€money€andŠ 4 Š Šwithout€price.€God€commands€and€invites€you€to€accept€of€pardon,€he€pleads€with€you€to€receive€it,Š  !¼ Šhe€points€to€the€blood€of€atonement,€the€intercession€of€his€Son,€and€the€examples€of€those€who€haveŠ  "Ø Šobtained€forgiveness€to€prevail€with€you.Š ų"” Šą  ąGod€commands€you€to€accept€of€pardon..Š ä#€  Šą  ąAfter€Christ€had€risen€from€the€dead,€he€gave€his€apostles€authority€to€spread€the€glad€tidingsŠ Š$l! Šof€salvation€throughout€the€world.€They€were€sent€to€ņņpreach€repentance€and€remission€of€sins€to€allŠ ¼%X" Šnations,€beginning€at€Jerusalem.€óóLuke€24:47.€Astonishing€mercy!€How€many€righteous€men,€howŠ Ø&D # Šmany€heaven-inspired€prophets€had€been€slain€in€that€bloody€city.€There,€the€Messiah€himself€wasŠ ”'0!$ Šmocked€and€buffeted,€condemned€and€crucified.€Who€would€have€wondered,€if€he€had€said,€Go€andŠ €("% Špreach€repentance€and€remission€of€sins€every€where,€except€in€that€devoted€city,€Jerusalem.€TheŠ l)#& Šapostles€zealously€obeyed€the€order€of€their€master,€as€appears€from€Acts€2:28,€Acts€3:19.€ņņRepentŠ X*ō#' Štherefore€and€be€converted,€that€your€sins€may€be€blotted€out;€when€the€times€of€refreshing€shallŠ D+ą$( Šcome€from€the€presence€of€the€Lord.€óóThere€it€may€be€seen,€that€pardon€follows€penitence.€What€GodŠ 0,Ģ%) Šhas€joined,€must€not,€cannot€be€put€asunder.€You€are€as€much€commanded€to€receive€forgiveness,Š d Šas€you€are€to€repent.€Do€not€then€resist€the€authority€of€God€through€unbelief.€Say€not,€I€am€so€vile,Š Pģ Šthat€there€can€be€no€forgiveness€extended€to€me.€The€blessing€is€held€out€in€the€promise,€and€theŠ <Ų Šcommand€requires€you€to€take€it.Š ( Ä Šą  ąMr.€Marshall,€author€of€a€Treatise€on€Sanctification,€in€his€early€years€was€under€greatŠ  ° Šdistress€for€a€long€time,€through€a€consciousness€of€guilt,€and€a€dread€of€the€divine€displeasure.€AtŠ  œ Šlast€mentioning€his€case€to€Dr.€Thomas€Goodwint€and€lamenting€the€greatness€of€his€sins,€that€ableŠ ģ ˆ Šdivine€replied,€š š€You€have€forgotten€the€greatest€sin€of€all,€the€sin€of€unbelief€in€refusing€to€believeŠ Ų t Šin€Christ,€and€rely€on€his€atonement€and€righteousness€for€your€acceptance€with€God.šš€This€word€inŠ Ä ` Šseason€banished€his€fears.€He€looked€to€Jesus,€and€was€filled€with€joy€and€peace€in€believing!€ByŠ °L  Šdisobeying€the€commands€of€the€law,€you€sin€against€divine€majesty,€but€by€disobeying€theŠ œ8  Šcommands€of€the€gospel,€you€sin€against€divine€mercy.€If€indeed€you€remember€your€sins,€and€beŠ ˆ$  Šdeeply€humbled,€God€has€promised€to€forget€them,€and€be€reconciled€to€you.€Š t  Šą  ąGod€invites€you€to€accept€of€pardon.€Š `ü  Šą  ąThe€year€of€redemption€is€come.€The€trumpet€of€jubilee€in€sweet€and€melodious€tonesŠ Lč  Šproclaims€liberty€to€the€captive,€and€the€opening€of€the€prison€to€them€that€are€bound.€Blessed€areŠ 8Ō  Šthe€people€who€know€the€joyful€sound.€Blessed€is€the€man€whose€transgression€is€forgiven,€andŠ $Ą Šwhose€sin€is€covered.€If€the€authority€of€God€does€not€awe,€let€the€kindness€of€God€allure€you.€DoŠ ¬ Šyou€think€these€tidings€are€too€good€to€be€true?€While€you€linger,€he€sends€forth€messenger€afterŠ ü˜ Šmessenger,€with€winning€invitations€and€persuasions,€to€compel€you€to€come€in.€Do€not€raiseŠ č„ Šobjections,€or€make€excuses.€It€is€the€policy€of€hell€to€keep€back€the€hungry,€fainting€soul€from€theŠ Ōp Šrich€provision€of€the€gospel.€Come,€needy€sinners,€for€all€things€are€now€ready.€ņņSeek€ye€the€LordŠ Ą\ Šwhile€he€may€be€found,€call€ye€upon€him€while€he€is€near:€Let€the€wicked€forsake€his€way,€and€theŠ ¬H Šunrighteous€man€his€thoughts;€and€let€him€return€unto€the€Lord,€and€he€will€have€mercy€on€him;€andŠ ˜4 Što€our€God,€for€he€will€abundantly€pardon.€óóIsaiah€55:6„7.€Do€you€cry€out,€wonderful€condescension!Š „  ŠWho€could€have€thought€of€such€goodness?€Who€could€have€believed€such€a€report,€without€theŠ p  Šclearest€and€strongest€proofs?€I€reply,€it€is€true€this€is€not€the€manner€of€men.€ņņBut€my€thoughts€areŠ \ų Šnot€your€thoughts,€neither€are€your€ways€my€ways,€saith€the€Lord.€For€as€the€heavens€are€higherŠ Hä Šthan€the€earth,€so€are€my€ways€higher€than€your€ways,€and€my€thoughts€than€your€thoughts€óóIsaiahŠ 4 Š Š55:8„9.Š  !¼ Šą  ąGod€not€only€invites€you€but€pleads€with€you€to€accept€pardon.Š  "Ø Šą  ąYou€do€not€need€many€arguments€to€persuade€you€to€accept€earthly€blessings.€And€why€isŠ ų"” Šthere€not€the€same€readiness€to€receive€spiritual€blessings?€Hark!€a€voice€softer€than€music,€yet€moreŠ ä#€  Šmajestic€than€the€sound€of€many€waters€addresses€you.€ņņBehold,€I€stand€at€the€door€and€knock,€if€anyŠ Š$l! Šman€hear€my€voice,€and€open€the€door,€I€will€come€in€to€him,€and€sup€with€him,€and€he€with€me.Š ¼%X" ŠóóRevelation€3:20.€Perhaps€you€answer,€Lord,€I€am€not€worthy€thou€shouldest€come€under€my€roof.€IŠ Ø&D # Šam€all€guilt€and€defilement.€Wilt€thou€be€a€guest€with€one€who€deserves,€if€there€were€so€many,€aŠ ”'0!$ Šthousand€hells?€Hark!€the€same€voice€again€speaks.€ņņCome,€let€us€reason€together,€saith€the€Lord:Š €("% ŠThough€your€sins€be€as€scarlet,€they€shall€be€white€as€snow;€though€they€be€red€like€crimson,€theyŠ l)#& Šshall€be€as€wool.€óóIsaiah€1:18.€When€the€Lord€of€glory€designs€to€reason€with€you,€and€use€suchŠ X*ō#' Šarguments,€can€you€hold€out€in€unbelief€and€remain€unmoved?€Were€a€king€to€go€to€a€prison€full€ofŠ D+ą$( Šcondemned€criminals,€and€offer€them€pardon,€do€you€think€they€would€need€many€words€to€persuadeŠ 0,Ģ%) Šthem€to€accept€it?€I€leave€you€both€to€answer€the€question,€and€make€the€application.Š d Šą  ąThat€you€may€be€prevailed€upon€to€receive€pardon,€God€points€you€to€the€blood€of€atonement,Š Pģ Šby€which€it€was€procured.Š <Ų Šą  ąJehovah€could€not€dispense€his€mercy€in€any€way€that€would€dishonour€his€justice.€TheŠ ( Ä Šapostle€therefore€declares€that,€ņņwithout€shedding€of€blood,€there€is€no€remission.€óóAnd€how€wasŠ  ° Šsatisfaction€made?€Was€it€with€the€blood€of€bulls,€of€goats,€or€of€sheep?€No!€If€the€cattle€upon€aŠ  œ Šthousand€hills€had€been€all€slain€in€sacrifice,€they€could€not€have€made€atonement€for€one€sin.€LookŠ ģ ˆ Šinto€the€New€Testament,€and€you€will€see€Jesus€freely€giving€himself€up€to€die,€that€we€might€live.Š Ų t ŠņņHe€suffered€the€just€for€the€unjust,€to€bring€us€to€God.€The€chastisement€of€our€peace€was€upon€him;Š Ä ` Šand€with€his€stripes€we€are€healed.€óóThink€of€the€ransom€that€was€paid;€and€then,€rejoice€in€the€libertyŠ °L  Šprocured€by€it.€ņņWe€have€redemption€through€his€blood,€even€the€forgiveness€of€sins,€according€to€theŠ œ8  Šriches€of€his€grace.€óóEphesians€1:6.€In€worldly€matters€what€is€dearly€bought,€is,€for€the€most€part,Š ˆ$  Šdiligently€sought.€Men€dig€in€the€mines€for€silver€and€gold,€and€dive€in€the€sea€for€precious€pearls;Š t  Šyet€these€things,€however€valued€on€account€of€their€scarcity,€have€in€them€no€real€worth€at€all.€ņņButŠ `ü  Šye€were€redeemed,€not€with€corruptible€things,€as€silver€and€gold,€but€with€the€precious€blood€ofŠ Lč  ŠChrist,€as€a€lamb€without€blemish€and€without€spot.€óóO,€who€can€calculate€the€price€which€boughtŠ 8Ō  Šthousands€of€millions€of€immortal€souls!€And€do€you€not€most€ardently€desire€a€pardon€procured€atŠ $Ą Šso€great€an€expense?€Do€you€not€thirst€for€a€blessing€which€flows€from€such€a€spring€of€heavenlyŠ ¬ Šgrace,€through€such€a€channel€of€heavenly€redemption?€If€you€are€deaf€to€other€calls,€hear€the€voiceŠ ü˜ Šof€a€Saviourššs€blood.€The€blood€of€Abel€cried€for€vengeance,€and€was€heard;€for€God€marked€theŠ č„ Šmurderer€with€his€displeasure,€and€his€punishment€became€intolerable.€The€blood€of€Christ€cries€forŠ Ōp Špardon€and€peace€to€penitents,€and€God€seals€them€by€the€operation€of€his€Holy€Spirit.Š Ą\ Šą  ąThat€you€may€be€prevailed€upon€to€receive€pardon,€God€points€you€to€the€intercession€of€hisŠ ¬H ŠSon.Š ˜4 Šą  ąWere€you€sentenced€to€suffer€a€dreadful€punishment€for€breaking€the€laws€of€your€country,Š „  Šyou€would€probably€cry€out,€š šO€that€I€had€a€friend€at€court,€to€plead€with€his€Majesty€for€me:€I€canŠ p  Šexpect€no€pardon,€but€from€royal€favour:€yet€1€have€no€one€to€take€up€my€cause,€or€speak€on€myŠ \ų Šbehalf!šš€How€would€you€be€delighted€to€learn,€that€the€kingššs€own€son€was€willing€to€become€anŠ Hä Šintercessor€for€you!Š 4 Š Šą  ąņņThere€is€one€God,€and€one€Mediator€between€God€and€man,€the€man€Christ€Jesus.€óóTheŠ  !¼ ŠFriend€of€helpless€sinners€says,€ņņ1€am€the€way,€and€the€truth,€and€the€life:€no€man€cometh€to€theŠ  "Ø ŠFather€but€by€me.€óóThese€words€claim€the€most€serious€attention.€You€may€come€to€a€fellow-creature,Š ų"” Šwho€invites,€or€you€may€send€a€denial;€but€you€must€come€to€God,€or€be€eternally€lost;€for€they€thatŠ ä#€  Šare€far€from€him€shall€perish.€There€is€but€one€way€in€which€you€can€draw€nigh€to€the€Father,€andŠ Š$l! Šthat€is€through€faith€in€his€only-begotten€Son.€The€apostle€John€says,€ņņIf€we€sin,€we€have€an€AdvocateŠ ¼%X" Šwith€the€Father,€Jesus€Christ€the€righteous.€óóAnd€are€you€not€willing€to€approach€to€God,€in€the€newŠ Ø&D # Šand€living€way€of€his€own€appointment?€Dare€you€not€trust€your€cause€and€your€immortal€soul€in€theŠ ”'0!$ Šhands€of€such€an€Advocate?€He€who€prayed€for€his€most€cruel€enemies€while€he€hung€on€the€cross,Š €("% Šdoes€not€forget€the€poor€and€contrite€now€that€he€sits€upon€the€throne.Š l)#& Šą  ąThat€you€may€be€prevailed€upon€to€receive€pardon,€God€points€you€to€those€who€haveŠ X*ō#' Šobtained€the€precious€blessing.Š D+ą$( Šą  ąOne€would€think€the€mere€offer€of€forgiveness€would€be€sufficient,€without€any€arguments:Š 0,Ģ%) Šbut€one€extreme€follows€another,€and€the€sinner€is€often€hurried€from€presumption€to€the€brink€ofŠ d Šdespair.€Is€this€your€case?€Do€you€cry,€š š€Labour€not€to€comfort€me?€I€am€lost€and€utterly€undone.Š Pģ ŠSurely,€my€condition€is€singular!€none€were€ever€so€wicked€as€I€am!šš€Be€it€so€š"š€did€not€Christ€dieŠ <Ų Što€save€the€very€chief€of€sinners?€Were€not€Manasseh,€Zacchaeus,€Mary€Magdalen,€and€the€thiefŠ ( Ä Šupon€the€cross€forgiven!€The€bloody€Saul€of€Tarsus€was€arrested€in€his€persecuting€career,€not€to€beŠ  ° Šdragged€to€torture€and€punishment,€which€were€his€due,€but€to€be€pardoned€and€sanctified.€Nor€wasŠ  œ Šremission€granted€to€him€as€an€individual€only,€from€whose€experience€others€can€derive€noŠ ģ ˆ Šencouragement.€Hear€what€he€himself€says:€ņņHowbeit,€for€this€cause€I€obtained€mercy,€that,€in€meŠ Ų t Šfirst,€Jesus€Christ€might€shew€forth€all€long-suffering,€for€a€pattern€to€them€which€should€hereafterŠ Ä ` Šbelieve€on€him€to€life€everlasting.€óó1€Timothy€1:16.€The€apostle€John€declares,€that€ņņthe€blood€of€JesusŠ °L  Šcleanseth€from€all€sin.€óóSurely,€you€dare€not€say€this€blood€has€lost€its€merit€or€its€power!€Could€youŠ œ8  Šlook€into€heaven,€you€would€see€an€immense€multitude€gathered€out€of€all€nations,€many€of€whomŠ ˆ$  Šwere€as€vile€as€you€are.€There,€they€continually€sing,€ņņUnto€Him€that€loved€us,€and€washed€us€fromŠ t  Šour€sins€in€his€own€blood,€and€hath€made€us€kings€and€priests€unto€God€and€his€Father:€to€him€beŠ `ü  Šglory€and€dominion€forever€and€ever.€Amen.€óóRevelation€1:5„6.€If€we€have€tasted€the€bitterness€ofŠ Lč  Šrepentance,€the€bitterness€of€the€second€death€is€past.Š 8Ō  Šą  ąLet€these€reasons€encourage€you€to€draw€nigh€to€God€for€pardon.€Do€you€say,€š š€I€long€for€it.Š $Ą ŠO€that€I€knew€my€guilt€were€removed!€O€that€my€sins€were€freely€forgiven€me,€for€the€RedeemerššsŠ ¬ Šsake!šš€1€do€not€wonder€at€the€anxiety€you€feel.€Nothing€can€impart€a€relish€of€delight€while€the€soulŠ ü˜ Šfeels€the€anguish€of€conscious€guilt,€and€finds€no€pardon.€Archbishop€Leighton€justly€observes,€youŠ č„ Šcannot€make€a€man€joyful€while€he€is€oppressed€with€a€heavy€burden.€Let€gold€and€silver€glistenŠ Ōp Šbefore€his€eyes;€let€the€sweetest€music€sooth€his€ears,€and€let€dainties€be€prepared€to€feast€his€taste;Š Ą\ Šstill€he€groans€and€cries€to€be€delivered€from€his€burden.€Thus€it€is€with€a€soul€oppressed€with€sin.Š ¬H ŠNow,€if€you,€do€long€for€pardon,€what€hinders€you€from€enjoying€the€precious€blessing?€It€is€not€thatŠ ˜4 Šyou€are€shut€out€by€God,€who€is€the€Author€of€all€spiritual€comfort.€I€have€read€of€a€martyr€who€hadŠ „  Šhis€pardon€placed€by€him€in€a€box;€and€if€he€would€deny€his€Lord,€and€renounce€his€profession,€heŠ p  Šwas€welcome€to€take€it.€But€he€nobly€refused€it€on€such€terms.€When€offered€his€choice€to€turn€orŠ \ų Šburn,€he€conferred€not€with€flesh€and€blood,€but€followed€truth,€though€at€the€expense€of€life€itself.Š Hä ŠThe€case€here€is€reversed.€God€has€sent€you€a€pardon,€sealed€by€the€blood€of€his€Son.€He€has€set€itŠ 4 Š Šbefore€you€in€the€promises€of€the€holy€gospel.€Poor€trembling€penitent!€the€devil€would€keep€youŠ  !¼ Šfrom€enjoying€this€invaluable€blessing!€And€will€you€burn€in€the€fire€this€fiend€kindles?€O,€fly€to€theŠ  "Ø ŠRedeemer,€and€cast€yourself€before€the€throne€of€grace,€and€you€shall€hear€him€say,€Son€or€daughter,Š ų"” Šbe€of€good€cheer,€thy€sins€are€forgiven€thee!€Such€a€word,€as€a€token€for€good,€is€capable€ofŠ ä#€  Šscattering€the€most€gloomy€fears.€ņņComfort€ye,€comfort€ye€my€people,€saith€your€God,€speak€yeŠ Š$l! Šcomfortably€to€Jerusalem,€and€cry€unto€her€that€her€warfare€is€accomplished,€that€her€iniquity€isŠ ¼%X" Špardoned.€óóIsaiah€40:1.€If€there€is€any€thing€capable€of€making€joy€overflow€all€its€banks,€it€is€a€strongŠ Ø&D # Špersuasion€of€forgiveness€coming€after€a€deep€sense€of€sin,€and€a€full€view€of€approachingŠ ”'0!$ Špunishment.€I€have€read€in€history€of€a€certain€nobleman,€condemned€to€be€beheaded€for€some€crime,Š €("% Šwho,€on€receiving,€just€as€he€was€led€to€execution,€a€pardon€from€the€king,€which€he€did€not€expect,Š l)#& Šwas€so€transported€that€he€died€for€joy!€And€when€God€grants€a€free€and€full€pardon€to€you,€oughtŠ X*ō#' Šnot€the€liveliest€pleasure€rise€up€within,€and€break€out€into€strains€of€praise?€He€has€manifestedŠ D+ą$( Šhimself€to€you,€that€you€may€magnify€him,€Surely,€your€language€ought€to€be,€ņņBless€the€Lord,€O€myŠ 0,Ģ%) Šsoul,€and€forget€not€all€his€benefits:€who€forgiveth€all€thine€iniquities;€who€healeth€all€thy€diseases.Š d ŠWho€redeemeth€thy€life€from€destruction;€who€crowneth€thee€with€lovingkindness€and€tenderŠ Pģ Šmercies.€óóPsalm€103:3„4.Š <Ų Šą  ąThe€scriptures€offer€to€the€penitent€adoption€into€the€household€of€God.Š ( Ä Šą  ąIt€is€a€high€favour€for€a€king€to€grant€pardon€to€a€condemned€traitor,€so€as€to€deliver€him€fromŠ  ° Šdeath:€but€it€is€a€far€higher€favour€to€admit€him€into€his€own€palace,€and€raise€him€to€enjoy€a€placeŠ  œ Šof€distinguished€honour.€But€no€instance€of€favour€from€one€mortal€to€another,€can€equal€theŠ ģ ˆ Šmarvellous€lovingkindness€of€God€towards€men.€The€greatest€king€on€earth€is€but€a€few€steps€aboveŠ Ų t Šthe€meanest€beggar,€or€the€most€wretched€outcast.€Lord,€what€is€man,€that€thou€art€mindful€of€himššŠ Ä ` ŠThe€mercies€of€God€are€great,€manifold,€and€unspeakable.€Who€can€fathom€the€ocean,€or€measureŠ °L  Šthe€firmament?€Who€can€count€the€dust€of€the€earth,€or€the€rays€of€the€sun?€Yet€it€were€easier€toŠ œ8  Šfathom€the€depth€of€the€ocean,€or€measure€the€extent€of€heaven;€to€count€the€dust€of€the€earth,€or€theŠ ˆ$  Šrays€that€stream€from€the€sun,€than€to€comprehend€the€infinite€goodness,€or€sum€up€the€numberlessŠ t  Šmercies€of€God.€We€are€such€poor€feeble€creatures,€and€our€understandings€so€very€narrow,€that€weŠ `ü  Šare€soon€lost€and€overwhelmed€in€considering€subjects€like€this.€That€we€may€be€more€affected,€theŠ Lč  Šmercy€of€God€is€in€the€scriptures€represented€under€such€forms€as€bear€some€resemblance€to€ourŠ 8Ō  Šrelations€one€with€another.Š $Ą Šą  ąWhile€I€am€endeavouring€to€animate€the€hope€of€the€penitent,€I€should€be€chargeable€withŠ ¬ Šgreat€neglect€if€I€did€not€pay€particular€attention€to€our€Lordššs€beautiful€parable€of€the€prodigal€son.Š ü˜ ŠIt€was€spoken€on€purpose€to€encourage€those€publicans€and€broken-hearted€sinners,€who€listened€toŠ č„ Šthe€word€of€Jesus.€Behold€the€thoughtless€youth,€demanding€his€portion,€and€hastening€his€journeyŠ Ōp Šinto€a€far€country.€Throwing€the€reins€upon€his€lusts,€he€squanders€his€substance€in€riotous€livingŠ Ą\ Šamong€profligates€and€harlots.€Want€speedily€follows€waste,€and€misery€springs€from€folly,€as€theŠ ¬H Šserpent€bursts€from€the€egg€of€the€cockatrice.€Brought€to€poverty€and€disgrace,€he€becomes€a€slaveŠ ˜4 Što€a€citizen,€and€goes€into€the€field€to€feed€his€swine.€But€at€this€low€ebb€of€his€fortune,€in€this€winterŠ „  Šof€adversity,€where€are€those€friends€that€flowed€in€with€the€full€tide,€and€fluttered€round€him€in€theŠ p  Šsun-shine€of€prosperity?€Where€are€the€companions€who€laughed,€and€drank,€and€danced€with€himŠ \ų Šin€his€noon-day€frolics,€and€mid€night€revels?€Ah!€they€flattered€and€stripped,€and€then€mocked€andŠ Hä Šforsook€him.€And€when€he€came€to€himself€he€said,€ņņHow€many€hired€servants€of€my€fatherššs€homeŠ 4 Š Šhave€bread€enough,€and€to€spare,€and€I€perish€here€with€hunger.€I€will€arise,€and€go€to€my€father.,Š  !¼ Šand€will€say€unto€him,€Father,€I€have€sinned€against€heaven,€and€before€thee,€and€am€no€moreŠ  "Ø Šworthy€to€be€called€thy€son,€make€me€as€one€of€thy€hired€servants.óó€He€had€been€acting€a€madmanššsŠ ų"” Špart.€Now€his€reason€returns,€and€his€soul€is€filled€with€sorrow€and€shame.€But€remembering€whenceŠ ä#€  Šhe€has€fallen,€he€wisely€resolves€upon€a€return.€No€sooner€does€the€father€espy€him,€at€a€greatŠ Š$l! Šdistance,€than€his€bowels€of€compassion€yearn€with€the€softest€and€kindest€emotions.€He€runs€withŠ ¼%X" Šimpatient€fondness€to€meet€and€embrace€him,€and€give€him€a€hearty€welcome.€Servants€areŠ Ø&D # Šcommanded€to€bring€forth€a€ring,€and€the€best€robe,€to€kill€the€fatted€calf,€and€prepare€a€feast€of€joy,Š ”'0!$ Šfor,€saith€the€father,€ņņThis€my€son€was€dead,€and€is€alive€again,€and€was€lost,€and€is€found.€óóLuke€15:Š €("% Š11„32.€Take,€reader,€this€interesting€parable€and€consider€it.€It€is€a€picture€intended€to€represent,€onŠ l)#& Šthe€one€hand,€the€sinnerššs€folly;€and€on€the€other,€our€heavenly€Fatherššs€mercy.€And€are€you€too,€likeŠ X*ō#' Šthe€prodigal,€come€to€your€right€mind?€Is€the€phrenzy€that€turned€your€brain€abated?€Do€you€see€yourŠ D+ą$( Šsoul€stripped€and€undone?€Do€you€look€back,€and€sigh,€and€weep,€at€the€remembrance€of€you€r€waysŠ 0,Ģ%) Šand€doings?€Arise€then€and€go€to€your€Father,€who€is€in€heaven.€His€tender€mercies€continue€to€thisŠ d Šmoment.€His€house€is€open,€and€yet€there€is€room.€The€lying€enemy€may€tell€you€it€is€too€late.€EvenŠ Pģ Šyour€own€heart€may€yield€to€fears€and€misgivings.€But€whither€can€you€go?€It€is€death€to€turn€backŠ <Ų Što€the€world.€While€therefore€God€sits€upon€a€throne€of€grace,€go€to€him€and€plead€jour€cause€in€theŠ ( Ä Šname€of€Jesus.€I€can€assure€you€of€a€hearty€welcome.€Your€rags€shall€be€exchanged€for€the€robe€ofŠ  ° Šrighteousness€and€the€garments€of€salvation.€Instead€of€pining€in€want€and€misery,€you€shall€sit€downŠ  œ Šat€a€feast€of€gladness.Š ģ ˆ Šą  ąAdoption€is€a€privilege€of€the€greatest€value.€It€confers€the€highest€honour.€Many€think€it€aŠ Ų t Šgreat€thing€to€be€related€to€an€earthly€prince.€David€was€ready€to€shrink€when€the€offer€was€made€himŠ Ä ` Što€marry€the€daughter€of€Saul.€He€exclaimed,€š šWho€am€I,€or€what€is€my€fatherššs€house,€that€I€shouldŠ °L  Šbe€son-in-law€to€the€king?šš€How€much€more€may€a€Christian€cry€out,€with€wonder€and€gratitude,Š œ8  Šwhat€am€I,€whose€origin€is€in€the€dust,€whose€nature€is€corrupted,€that€I€should€call€God€my€Father,Š ˆ$  Šand€Christ€my€Saviour?€Yet€all€believers€are€sons€and€daughters€of€the€Lord€Almighty.€The€mostŠ t  Šexalted€and€envied€titles€of€worldly€men,€are€little€better€than€empty€sounds.€To€have€a€name€and€aŠ `ü  Šplace€in€Godššs€house,€is€to€rise€far€higher€than€the€loftiest€pinnacle€of€earthly€greatness.€Yet€suchŠ Lč  Šhonour€have€all€the€saints.€While€the€apostle€John€considered€this€privilege,€his€mind€was€filled€withŠ 8Ō  Šadmiration,€and€fixed€with€holy€rapture.€He€bursts€out€in€the€language€of€devout€gratitude,€ņņBeholdŠ $Ą Šwhat€manner€of€love€the€Father€hath€bestowed€upon€us,€that€we€should€be€called€the€sons€of€God;Š ¬ Štherefore€the€world€knoweth€us€not,€because€it€knew€him€not.€óó1€John€5:1.Š ü˜ Šą  ąBesides€honour,€this€privilege€necessarily€includes€all€that€provision€that€we€need.€Surely€thatŠ č„ ŠGod,€who€supplies€the€beasts€of€the€field€with€food,€and€feeds€the€fowls€of€the€air,€will€not€forget€hisŠ Ōp Šown€children.€Their€provision€is€secured€to€them€in€a€covenant€ordered€in€all€things€by€infiniteŠ Ą\ Šwisdom,€and€ratified€by€unchangeable€promises.€God€chooses€their€inheritance,€fixes€their€lot,Š ¬H Šfurnishes€their€table,€guides€and€guards€their€walk.€He€gives€grace€and€glory,€and€no€good€thing€willŠ ˜4 Šhe€withhold€from€them€that€walk€uprightly.€The€pampered€and€lordly€worldling€who€has€his€portionŠ „  Šin€this€life,€is€at€his€best€estate€altogether€vanity.€The€believer€may€seem€poor,€and€in€the€eyes€of€theŠ p  Šthoughtless€multitude,€he€is€often€despised,€but€he€is€in€reality,€and€in€the€estimate€of€heaven,Š \ų Špeculiarly€honourable.€For€all€things€are€yours;€ņņWhether€Paul,€or€Apollos,€or€Cephas,€or€the€world,Š Hä Šor€life,€or€death,€or€things€present,€or€things€to€come,€all€are€yours;€and€ye€are€Christššs,€and€ChristŠ 4 Š Šis€Godššs.€óó1€Corinthians€3:22„23.€When€the€Spanish€ambassador€went€to€see€the€famous€treasury€ofŠ  !¼ ŠSt.€Markššs,€in€Venice,€he€began€to€search€and€ask,€if€it€had€any€bottom,€because,€said€he,€my€masterššsŠ  "Ø Štreasures€(by€which€he€meant€the€mines€of€Peru,)€have€no€bottom.€š šVain€boast!€What€was€this,€butŠ ų"” Šthe€thorn€vaunting€over€the€thistle.€Those€once€rich€mines,€it€is€well€known,€are€now€almostŠ ä#€  Šexhausted,€and€scarcely€pay€for€the€working.€The€Christian,€indeed,€has€an€enduring€substance,€anŠ Š$l! Šunfailing€storehouse,€a€bottomless€mine.Š ¼%X" Šą  ąIn€virtue€of€their€adoption,€believers€receive€correction.€Even€a€heathen€could€say,€no€manŠ Ø&D # Šis€more€unhappy,€than€he€to€whom€no€affliction€ever€happened.€ņņWhom€the€Lord€loveth€he€chasteneth,Š ”'0!$ Šand€scourgeth€every€son€whom€he€receiveth.€óóAnd€is€it€not€a€great€advantage€to€be€weaned€from€theŠ €("% Šworld,€and€separated€from€folly?€Is€it€not€better€to€be€corrected€in€measure,€that€we€may€be€partakersŠ l)#& Šof€Godššs€holiness,€than€to€escape€the€rod,€and€be€cut€off€by€the€sword€of€justice€in€our€wickedness?Š X*ō#' Šą  ąI€shall€add,€that€all€who€are€adopted€look€forward€to€a€glorious€and€eternal€inheritance.€IfŠ D+ą$( Šsons,€then€heirs,€heirs€of€God,€and€joint€heirs€with€Christ.€Oh€what€a€portion€has€the€Lord€laid€up€forŠ 0,Ģ%) Šhis€people!€Death,€which€makes€the€worldling€poor,€gives€the€Christian€admission€into€the€bestŠ d Špossessions.€One€of€the€Greek€philosophers,€being€met€by€a€person€who€asked€him€what€he€had€lostŠ Pģ Šin€the€fire€that€had€burnt€down€the€town€and€the€house€in€which€he€lived,€answered,€š š€I€have€lostŠ <Ų Šnothing,€for€I€carry€all€my€riches€in€myself.ššŠ ( Ä Šą  ąA€Christian€can€go€much€farther€than€he€went,€and€say,€all€my€treasure€is€in€heaven,€underŠ  ° Šthe€keeping€of€the€Almighty.€I€would€not€carry€it€with€me€if€I€might,€for€I€know€that€it€is€in€betterŠ  œ Šhands.€The€believer,€as€one€observes,€should€a€fire€consume€the€world,€could€stand€upon€its€ashes,Š ģ ˆ Šand€say,€š šI€have€lost€nothing.šš€All€who€are€now€justified€sinners€in€Christ,€shall€soon€be€glorifiedŠ Ų t Šsaints€with€Christ.€Happy€are€they€who€can€join€with€the€Apostle€Peter,€ņņWe€are€begotten,€again€toŠ Ä ` Ša€lively€hope€by€the€resurrection€of€Jesus€Christ€from€the€dead,€to€an€inheritance€incorruptible€andŠ °L  Šundefiled,€and€that€fadeth€not€away,€reserved€in€heaven€for€us.€óó1€Peter€1:3„4.Š œ8  Šą  ąIs€adoption€a€privilege€so€valuable?€Then€let€it€be€your€great€concern€to€possess€it.€How€eagerŠ ˆ$  Šare€many€to€gain€acquaintance€with€great€men.€They€struggle€through€the€greatest€difficulties€toŠ t  Šobtain€a€place€of€power,€or€a€high€sounding€name.€Can€you€say,€Let€the€proud€and€ambitious€seekŠ `ü  Šthe€honour€that€comes€from€man?€I€wish€above€all€things€that€honour€which€comes€from€God.€MayŠ Lč  ŠI€have€a€place€with€his€people,€and€I€envy€not€those€who€hold€the€high€places€of€the€earth?€To€knowŠ 8Ō  Šthat€my€name€is€in€the€book€of€life,€will€give€me€greater€joy,€than€to€be€universally€praised€by€men.Š $Ą ŠIf€adoption€secures€such€provision,€do€you€not€desire€to€belong€to€the€household€of€faith?€WhitherŠ ¬ Šcan€a€child€go€in€all€its€difficulties€and€distresses,€but€to€a€father?€Now€if€you€are€adopted€andŠ ü˜ Šreceived€of€God,€you€may€approach€him€with€a€strong€faith,€and€filial€freedom.€Are€you€in€poverty?Š č„ ŠGo€to€God€and€entreat€him€to€grant€you€from€his€fulness,€those€things€that€may€be€good€for€you.€AreŠ Ōp Šyou€in€perplexity?€Go€to€God€for€direction,€and€he€shall€guide€you€by€his€counsel.€Are€you€inŠ Ą\ Štrouble?€Go€to€God€for€relief€and€comfort,€for€as€your€day€is€so€shall€your€strength€be.€If€adoptionŠ ¬H Šstands€connected€with€such€glorious€hopes,€is€it€not€a€privilege€worthy€to€be€desired€and€sought?€YetŠ ˜4 Ša€little€while,€and€the€Lord€of€glory€will€return€to€receive€his€people.€Those€who€love€him€shall€beŠ „  Šas€the€sun,€when€he€goeth€forth€in€his€might.€The€sun€may€for€a€time€be€clouded,€but€still€shines€moreŠ p  Šand€more€unto€the€perfect€day.€Thus€the€saint€may€be€for€a€while€covered€with€reproach,€and€hid€byŠ \ų Šthe€thick€veil€of€poverty,€but€at€last€he€shall€shine€with€unspotted€lustre€as€the€sun€without€cloud.Š Hä ŠWhen€the€Redeemer€appears,€all€the€sons€of€God€will€be€made€manifest,€and€shall€be€forever€withŠ 4 Š Šand€like€their€Lord.Š  !¼ Šą  ąThe€scriptures€promise€to€the€penitent€the€influence€of€the€Holy€Spirit.Š  "Ø Šą  ąIt€is€a€great€favour€to€have€sin€pardoned,€and€be€saved€from€the€wrath€to€come.€It€is€a€stillŠ ų"” Šgreater€favour€to€be€adopted€into€the€household€of€God,€and€made€joint€heirs€with€Christ.€But€theŠ ä#€  Šgreatest€favour,€and€that€which€crowns€and€completes€all€the€rest,€is€the€gift€of€the€Divine€Spirit,€toŠ Š$l! Šfit€us€for€sufferings€and€services€below,€and€for€happiness€above.€There€must€be€holy€dispositionsŠ ¼%X" Što€engage€in€holy€duties,€and€heavenly€desires€to€qualify€us€for€heavenly€delights.€It€is€a€goodŠ Ø&D # Šobservation€of€a€living€writer,€š š€when€God€calls€an€angel€to€employ€him,€he€is€fit€for€the€work;€butŠ ”'0!$ Šwhen€God€calls€a€sinful€mortal€into€his€presence,€he€has€to€prepare€him€for€his€service.šš€And€howŠ €("% Šis€this€fitness€for€obeying€and€enjoying€God€to€be€obtained,€but€by€his€own€gracious€influence?€ņņNowŠ l)#& Šhe€that€hath€wrought€us€for€the€self€same€thing€is€God,€who€also€hath€given€unto€us€the€earnest€ofŠ X*ō#' Šhis€Spirit.€óóWhen€Solomon€dedicated€the€temple,€he€burst€out€into€these€words,€ņņBut€will€God€indeedŠ D+ą$( Šdwell€on€the€earth?€Behold€the€heaven,€and€the€heaven€of€heavens€cannot€contain€thee,€how€muchŠ 0,Ģ%) Šless€this€house€which€I€have€built.€óó1€Kings€8:2,7.€Now€you€may€be€ready€to€say,€the€temple€ofŠ d ŠSolomon€was€a€glorious€place,€but€who€am€I?€Will€God€indeed€so€much€as€look€upon€a€worthlessŠ Pģ Šworm?€Will€the€Majesty€of€heaven€dwell€with€me,€the€chief€of€sinners?€Your€fellow-creatures,€IŠ <Ų Šgrant,€when€they€are€raised€a€little€above€you,€are€apt€to€turn€away€their€eyes€from€you€with€scorn€andŠ ( Ä Šcontempt.€But€God€remembers€you,€in€your€low€estate,€for€his€mercy€endureth€forever.€Thus€saithŠ  ° Šthe€Lord,€ņņThe€heaven€is€my€throne,€and€the€earth€is€my€footstool;€but€unto€this€man€will€I€look,€evenŠ  œ Što€him€that€is€poor,€and€of€a€contrite€spirit,€and€that€trembleth€at€my€word.€óóIsaiah€66:1„2.€SweetŠ ģ ˆ Šencouragement!€With€one€look€of€love€and€compassion€from€God,€you€need€not€fear,€though€all€theŠ Ų t Šenvious€and€malicious€eyes€in€the€world€were€fixed€upon€you,€and€all€the€forces€of€earth€and€hell€setŠ Ä ` Šagainst€you.€Amidst€fightings€without,€and€fears€within,€you€may€be€sometimes€depressed€andŠ °L  Šdisconsolate.€When€therefore€you€are€ready€to€faint,€seek€a€cordial€in€these€animating€words.€IsaiahŠ œ8  Š57:15.€ņņThus€saith€the€high€and€lofty€One,€that€inhabiteth€eternity,€whose€name€is€Holy;€I€dwell€in€theŠ ˆ$  Šhigh€and€holy€place,€with€him€also€that€is€of€a€contrite€and€humble€spirit,€to€revive€the€spirit€of€theŠ t  Šhumble,€and€to€revive€the€heart€of€the€contrite€ones.€óóŠ `ü  Šņ ņó óNor€is€the€language€of€the€New€Testament€on€this€point€less€encouraging€than€that€of€the€Old.€ItŠ Lč  Šseems€strange€to€me,€that€any€one€can€read€the€holy€scriptures€with€the€least€degree€of€seriousŠ 8Ō  Šattention,€and€deny€the€all€important€doctrine€of€the€Divine€Spiritššs€influence.€There€is€scarcely€aŠ $Ą Štruth€in€the€Bible€more€plainly€and€abundantly€taught.€Our€Lord€on€this€subject€makes€a€powerfulŠ ¬ Šand€moving€appeal€to€the€most€tender€feelings€of€human€nature.€ņņWhat€man€is€there€of€you,€who€if€hisŠ ü˜ Šson€ask€bread,€will€give€him€a€stone?€or€if€he€ask€a€fish,€will€give€him€a€serpent?€óóNo,€impossible.€HeŠ č„ Šwho€could€mock€the€wants€of€his€own€child,€rather€than€supply€them,€is€worse€than€a€beast,€harderŠ Ōp Šthan€a€flint,€a€monster€more€hateful€than€the€old€serpent€himself.€ņņIf€ye€then,€who€are€evil,€know€howŠ Ą\ Što€give€good€things€to€your€children,€how€much€more€shall€your€Father€who€is€in€heaven€give€hisŠ ¬H ŠHoly€Spirit€to€them€that€ask€him.€óóIf€it€be€asked€for€what€purpose€this€precious€gift€is€bestowed,€IŠ ˜4 Šanswer,€it€is€the€office€of€the€Holy€Spirit€to€enlighten,€to€sanctify,€and€comfort€the€soul.Š „  Šą  ąIt€is€the€office€of€the€Holy€Spirit€to€enlighten€the€soul.Š p  Šą  ąIt€has€been€justly€said,€the€sun€shines€as€much€on€the€poor€manššs€cottage,€as€on€the€princeššsŠ \ų Špalace.€The€scriptures€declare,€that€not€many€of€the€wise,€the€mighty,€and€the€noble€are€called,€butŠ Hä ŠGod€hath€chosen€the€foolish€things€of€the€world€to€confound€the€wise;€and€God€hath€chosen€the€weakŠ 4 Š Šthings€of€the€world€to€confound€the€things€that€are€mighty.€1€Corinthians€1:27.€I€shall€venture,Š  !¼ Štherefore,€to€carry€the€figure€just€mentioned€a€little€further.€The€natural€sun€shines€more€upon€theŠ  "Ø Šhigh€mountains€than€upon€the€deep€inclosed€vales;€but€the€Sun€of€Righteousness€sheds€his€cheeringŠ ų"” Šbeams€on€those€who€walk€in€the€valley€of€humiliation,€and€withholds€them€from€the€high€and€lofty.Š ä#€  ŠAll€true€wisdom€comes€from€above.€Ministers€may€describe€its€excellency€and€use,€but€God€aloneŠ Š$l! Šcan€impart€it.€As€easily€might€man€give€the€faculty€of€understanding€to€an€idiot,€as€give€spiritualŠ ¼%X" Šdiscernment€to€one€who€is€hoodwinked€with€the€bandages€of€carnal€blindness.€ņņBut€if€our€gospel€beŠ Ø&D # Šhid,€it€is€hid€to€them€that€are€lost:€in€whom€the€God€of€this€world€hath€blinded€the€minds€of€them€thatŠ ”'0!$ Šbelieve€not,€lest€the€light€of€the€glorious€gospel€of€Christ,€who€is€the€image€of€God,€should€shine€intoŠ €("% Šthem.€óó2€Corinthians€4:3„4.€Now€the€Holy€Spirit€was€promised€for€this€very€purpose,€to€take€of€theŠ l)#& Šthings€of€Christ,€and€shew€them€unto€us.€And€do€you€desire€to€obtain€divine€knowledge?€Do€you€longŠ X*ō#' Što€be€made€wise€unto€salvation€through€faith€which€is€in€Jesus€Christ?€Be€not€content€with€theŠ D+ą$( Šteaching€of€men,€but€look€up€to€God€that€be€may€turn€darkness€into€light€before€you.€With€faith€andŠ 0,Ģ%) Šfervency,€patience€and€perseverance,€pray€that€he€may€give€you€his€Holy€Spirit€to€guard€you€fromŠ d Ševery€error€in€doctrine€and€practice,€and€guide€you€into€all€the€truth.Š Pģ Šą  ąIt€is€the€office€of€the€Holy€Spirit€to€sanctify€the€soul.Š <Ų Šą  ąHis€sacred,€influence€is€compared€to€water€and€fire,€which€cleanse€and€purify.€WithoutŠ ( Ä Šholiness,€it€is€expressly€said,€no€man€shall€see€the€Lord.€Outward€means€alone€cannot€produce€purityŠ  ° Šof€heart.€If€then,€you€think€you€can€either€enter€the€bright€mansions€of€glory€without€holiness,€orŠ  œ Šbecome€truly€holy€without€the€washing€of€regeneration€and€the€renewing€of€the€Holy€Ghost,€you€willŠ ģ ˆ Šfind€yourself€awfully€mistaken.€Christians€are€said€to€be€partakers€of€the€divine€nature.€When€weŠ Ų t Šbehold€the€proud€becoming€humble,€and€the€profane€pious,€we€have€living€proofs€of€the€SpiritššsŠ Ä ` Šinfluence.€Hence,€when€Paul€writes€to€the€Corinthians,€and€mentions€idolaters,€adulterers,€thieves,Š °L  Šdrunkards,€revilers,€and€extortioners,€he€says,€ņņAnd€such€were€some€of€you;€but€ye€are€washed,€butŠ œ8  Šye€are€sanctified€in€the€name€of€the€Lord€Jesus,€and€by€the€Spirit€of€our€God.€óó1€Corinthians€6:11.Š ˆ$  ŠAnd€can€similar€effects€be€produced€in€our€day,€by€any€other€than€the€same€cause?€Is€the€Spirit€ofŠ t  Šthe€Lord€straitened?€Is€the€hand€of€the€Lord€shortened€that€it€cannot€save,€or€is€the€ear€of€the€LordŠ `ü  Šheavy,€that€it€cannot€hear?€Is€the€promise€of€God,€as€a€covenant€out€of€date,€or€is€the€fountain€ofŠ Lč  Šgrace€now€empty?€If€there€were€not€good€grounds€to€hope€for€the€same€sanctifying€influences,€whichŠ 8Ō  Šthe€first€Christians€experienced,€your€case€would€be€desperate.€The€words€spoken€by€the€Lord€to€theŠ $Ą Šprophet€concerning€Ephraim,€would€be€applicable.€ņņEphraim€is€joined€to€idols,€let€him€alone.€óóOŠ ¬ Šdreadful€state!€To€be€given€up€to€a€reprobate€mind,€to€work€all€uncleanness€with€greediness,€is€theŠ ü˜ Šmost€wretched€condition€this€side€of€hell!€Does€your€blood€chill,€and€your€soul€tremble€at€theŠ č„ Šthought?€Then€I€am€persuaded€better€things€of€you,€and€things€which€accompany€salvation,€thoughŠ Ōp ŠI€thus€speak.€Look€and€pray€to€God€for€his€sanctifying€grace.€He€who€so€plentifully€poured€forth€theŠ Ą\ Šdivine€influences€on€the€day€of€Pentecost,€has€the€residue€of€the€Spirit€to€impart.€And€will€you€notŠ ¬H Šthen€seek€it?€The€hope€of€forgiveness€to€one€who€dreads€future€punishment,€and€the€gracious€meansŠ ˜4 Šof€sanctification€to€one€who€hates€sin,€ought€to€make€the€heart€bound€with€joy.€O,€put€the€languageŠ „  Šof€penitent€David€into€a€prayer€for€yourself.€ņņCreate€in€me€a€clean€heart,€O€God,€and€renew€a€rightŠ p  Šspirit€within€me.€Cast€me€not€away€from€thy€presence,€and€take€not€thy€Holy€Spirit€from€me.€óóPsalmŠ \ų Š51:10„11.Š Hä Šą  ąIt€is€the€office€of€the€Holy€Spirit€to€comfort€the€soul.Š 4 Š Šą  ąSome€there€are€who€look€at€religion€only€on€the€unfavourable€side.€They€see€the€fire€and€hearŠ  !¼ Šthe€tempest,€but€hear€not€the€still,€small€voice.€Now,€though€religion€may€cause€grief,€it€is€such€asŠ  "Ø Šmust€issue€in€gladness.€As€Jesus€Christ€is€termed€the€Consolation€of€Israel,€so€the€Divine€Spirit€isŠ ų"” Šcalled€the€Comforter.€He€does€indeed€wound€and€pierce€the€heart,€but€his€title€is€from€that€part€of€hisŠ ä#€  Šwork€which€yields€the€believer€peace€and€joy.€Christ€represents€his€sacred€influence,€as€even€moreŠ Š$l! Šnecessary€to€the€disciples€than€his€own€personal€presence.€ņņNevertheless€I€tell€you€the€truth,€it€isŠ ¼%X" Šexpedient€for€you€that€I€go€away:€for€if€I€go€not€away,€the€Comforter€will€not€come€to€you;€but€if€IŠ Ø&D # Šgo€away€I€will€send€him€unto€you.€óóJohn€16:7.€The€Holy€Spirit€is€promised€to€strengthen€your€faith,Š ”'0!$ Šscatter€your€fears,€and€revive€your€hopes.€By€his€assistance,€you€shall€taste€that€the€Lord€is€gracious,Š €("% Šand€quitting€every€vain€refuge,€firmly€lay€hold€on€eternal€life.€With€his€help,€you€shall€experienceŠ l)#& Šboth€the€pleasure€and€profit€of€religion.€Well€did€Jesus€say,€ņņBlessed€are€the€poor€in€spirit,€for€theirsŠ X*ō#' Šis€the€kingdom€of€heaven.€Blessed€are€they€that€mourn,€for€they€shall€be€comforted.€óóWheresoever€theŠ D+ą$( ŠHoly€Spirit€dwells,€these€words€are€fulfilled.€If€you€doubt€this,€appeal€to€the€experience€of€devoutŠ 0,Ģ%) ŠChristians.€To€which€of€the€saints€will€you€go?€They€will€as€with€one€voice€assure€you,€that€richŠ d Šconsolation€flows€from€the€living€spring€of€divine€influence€in€the€mind.€O,€seek€the€Holy€Spirit€toŠ Pģ Švisit€and€cheer€you.€Pray€that€he€may€abide€with€you€forever.€Is€there€a€burden€which€this€ComforterŠ <Ų Šcannot€lighten?€a€bitter€cup€which€he€cannot€sweeten?€a€wound€which€he€cannot€heal?€a€want€whichŠ ( Ä Šhe€cannot€supply?€a€woe€which€he€cannot€remove?€O,€how€thankful€ought€we€to€be€for€the€promiseŠ  ° Šof€the€Spirit.€Should€you€hear,€for€the€sake€of€religion,€the€defaming€of€many,€the€hiss€of€scorn,€andŠ  œ Šthe€clamour€of€prejudice€and€pride€around€you€this€Comforter€shall€whisper€peace€within.€ShouldŠ ģ ˆ Šyou€be€cast€into€a€dungeon€for€the€gospel,€this€Comforter€would€there€be€with€you.€No€walls€or€barsŠ Ų t Šcan€exclude€him.€The€holy€John€Bradford,€who€suffered€martyrdom€in€the€reign€of€the€bigotted€andŠ Ä ` Šbloody€queen€Mary,€wrote€to€inform€his€friends,€that€he€had€enjoyed€the€happiest€days€in€his€prison,Š °L  Šthat€ever€he€had€enjoyed€in€his€whole€life.€Be€earnest€in€seeking€the€comfortable€testimony€of€theŠ œ8  ŠSpirit,€witnessing€with€your€spirit,€the€privilege€of€adoption€and€then€neither€the€world€nor€the€devilŠ ˆ$  Šcan€rob€you€of€your€confidence.€O,€the€sweet€peace!€the€cheering€hope!€the€transporting€joy!€whichŠ t  Šflow€from€the€grace€of€the€Lord€Jesus€Christ,€the€love€of€God,€and€the€communion€of€the€Holy€Spirit.Š `ü  Šą  ąSet€these€encouragements€before€you€to€quicken€you€in€your€duties,€and€animate€you€amidstŠ Lč  Šall€your€fears€and€foes.Š 8Ō  Šą  ąThey€may€serve€to€quicken€you€in€duties.€It€is€not€a€light€matter€to€enter€upon€the€service€ofŠ $Ą ŠGod.€He€appoints€the€work€you€have€to€do,€and€the€time€in€which€it€must€be€done.€He€lays€down€hisŠ ¬ Šcommands€as€your€rule,€and€makes€the€promotion€of€his€own€glory€your€end.€You€must€wait€uponŠ ü˜ Šhim,€and€look€to€him.€He€needs€not€your€obedience,€but€yet€he€requires,€and€in€a€certain€sense,Š č„ Šrewards€it.€š šņņThey€that€wait€upon€the€Lord€shall€renew€their€strength;€they€shall€mount€up€with€wingsŠ Ōp Šas€eagles;€they€shall€run,€and€not€be€weary;€they€shall€walk,€and€not€faint.ó󚚀Isaiah€40:33.€TheŠ Ą\ Šmelting€penitent€must€become€an€obedient€servant.€It€is€better€to€belong€to€what€a€venerable€bishopŠ ¬H Šcalls€the€holy€order€of€mourners€in€Zion,€than€to€move€in€the€first€ranks€of€those€giddy€mirth-makingŠ ˜4 Šworldlings,€who€get€all€their€good€things€in€this€life,€and€afterwards€are€tormented.€If€you€grieve€forŠ „  Šyour€own€sins,€and€sigh€and€cry€for€the€abominations€around€you,€God€will€set€a€mark€upon€you,€thatŠ p  Šyou€may€be€spared€when€the€scourge€of€destruction€comes.Š \ų Šą  ąThey€that€sow€in€tears€shall€reap€in€joy.€But€there€is€a€considerable€space€between€theŠ Hä Šseedtime€and€the€harvest.€You€may€wait€many€wintry€days€and€cold€chilling€nights,€but€the€promiseŠ 4 Š Šcannot€fail.€And€O,€what€joy€will€follow€the€transient€sorrows€of€time.€Yet€a€little€while,€and€he€thatŠ  !¼ Šshall€come€will€come,€and€will€not€tarry.€Think€within€yourself,€are€not€all€the€promises€of€God,€yea,Š  "Ø Šand€amen€in€Christ€Jesus?€Men€have€often€deceived€me,€but€the€God€of€faithfulness€will€not€forgetŠ ų"” Šhis€word.€My€heart€has€often€deceived€me,€but€God€is€greater€than€my€heart,€and€knoweth€all€things.Š ä#€  ŠAs€he€hath€promised€pardon,€I€will€ask€him€to€bestow€it.€The€blessing€has€been€sealed€in€theŠ Š$l! Šwell-ordered€and€unchangeable€covenant;€O,€that€it€were€applied€to€my€conscience,€and€sealed€byŠ ¼%X" Šhis€gracious€hand€upon€my€melting€heart!€As€he€hath€set€before€me€an€open€door€into€the€householdŠ Ø&D # Šof€faith,€I€will€go€in€and€sit€down€with€Abraham,€and€Isaac,€and€Jacob,€in€the€kingdom€of€heaven.Š ”'0!$ ŠAs€the€residue€of€the€Spirit€is€with€him,€I€will€seek€an€abundant€and€an€abiding€measure€of€hisŠ €("% Šheavenly€influence.€This€is€the€best€method€I€can€recommend€to€you,€for€the€attainment€of€trueŠ l)#& Šcomfort.€Be€not€afraid€you€will€offend€God€by€your€earnestness.€You€are€not€only€exhorted€to€comeŠ X*ō#' Šboldly€to€a€throne€of€grace,€but€also€to€wrestle,€till,€like€Jacob,€you€prevail€and€win€the€blessing.Š D+ą$( Šą  ąThese€encouragements€may€serve€to€support€you€amidst€all€your€foes€and€fears.Š 0,Ģ%) Šą  ąSometimes€you€may€be€ready€to€draw€back€from€the€prospect€of€trials.€You€may€begin€to€sayŠ d Šwithin€yourself,€shall€I€not€now€be€forsaken€and€despised?€Are€there€not€mountains€of€difficulty€toŠ Pģ Šclimb,€and€seas€of€trouble€to€pass?€€What€will€my€old€companions€think?€What€will€the€world€say,Š <Ų Šthat€I€now€give€up€my€time€to€religion?€Never€mind€what€the€world€thinks€or€says€on€this€subject.Š ( Ä ŠI€can€tell€you€what€pious€men€will€say,€Behold€a€brand€plucked€out€of€the€fire!€What€hath€GodŠ  ° Šwrought?€This€is€the€Lordššs€doing,€and€it€is€marvellous€in€our€eyes!€Come,€poor€penitent,€come€withŠ  œ Šus€and€we€will€do€thee€good,€for€God€hath€spoken€good€concerning€Israel.€I€can€tell€you€what€everyŠ ģ ˆ Šfaithful€minister€will€say,€š š€Now€I€rejoice,€not€that€you€are€made€sorrowful,€but€that€you€sorrow€afterŠ Ų t Ša€godly€sort.šš€There€are€many€kinds€of€grief€which€are€deadly,€but€this€sort€is€the€spring€of€life.€I€canŠ Ä ` Šalmost€venture€to€tell€you€what€the€angels€say.€Methinks€I€hear€them€crying€to€each€other,€Strike€yourŠ °L  Šgolden€harps,€for€another€heir€of€heaven€is€born.€Glory€to€God€in€the€highest,€on€earth,€peace,€andŠ œ8  Šgood€will€to€men.€Is€this€mere€fancy?€No,€he€who€knows€all€things,€hath€said,€There€is€joy€in€theŠ ˆ$  Špresence€of€the€angels€of€God,€over€one€sinner€that€repenteth.€Those€bright€beings€take€especialŠ t  Špleasure€in€every€thing€which€advances€the€welfare€of€man.€We€never€read€of€their€rejoicing€at€theŠ `ü  Šdownfall€of€cities€long€besieged,€or€victories€bought€with€torrents€of€blood€;€it€is€the€conversion€ofŠ Lč  Ša€sinner€which€creates€a€triumph€in€heaven.€I€can€tell€you€what€Jesus€Christ€says,€Come€unto€meŠ 8Ō  Šweary,€heavy€laden€sinner,€and€I€will€give€thee€rest.€Thou€hast€found€it€hard€to€kick€against€theŠ $Ą Špricks,€but€my€yoke€is€easy.€In€the€world€thou€shalt€have€tribulation,€but€in€me,€peace.€Š ¬ Šą  ąWith€these€encouragements€set€your€hand€to€the€covenant€of€God,€and€solemnly€surrenderŠ ü˜ Šyour€soul€to€him.Š č„ Šą  ąIs€it€not€a€great€matter€that€Jehovah€is€ready€to€receive€you?€Peace€is€made€by€the€blood€ofŠ Ōp Šthe€cross,€you€have€nothing€to€do€but€accept€the€blessing,€and€adore€the€giver€of€it.€God€says,€š š€SeekŠ Ą\ Šye€my€face,šš€and€does€not€your€heart€reply€?šš€Thy€face,€Lord,€will€I€seek.šš€There€is€a€covenant€whichŠ ¬H Šsecures€ten€thousand€precious€blessings€to€you,€and€gives€the€whole€undivided€praise€to€God.€He€whoŠ ˜4 Šhas€bought€you,€and€called€you,€claims€you€as€his€own,€and€requires€you€to€serve€him€with€your€bodyŠ „  Šand€your€spirit,€which€are€his.€š šAnd€I€will€betroth€thee€to€me€forever;€yea,€I€will€betroth€thee€untoŠ p  Šme€in€righteousness,€and€in€judgment,€and€in€loving€kindness,€and€in€mercies.€1€will€even€betrothŠ \ų Šthee€unto€me€in€faithfulness,€and€thou€shalt€know€the€Lord.šš€Hosea€2:19„20.€Does€God€confirm€theŠ Hä Šsacred€covenant€with€so€many€seals?€Does€he€bind€you€to€himself€with€so€many€ties?€And€ought€youŠ 4 Š Šnot€to€feel€and€acknowledge€your€obligations?€O,€come€and€yield€up€your€soul€to€him.€In€the€mostŠ  !¼ Šsolemn€and€deliberate€manner€make€a€full€and€absolute€surrender€of€all€you€have,€and€all€you€are,Š  "Ø Šinto€his€hands.€Let€your€language€be,€š š€O€God,€I€had€sold€myself€to€sin,€and€was€enslaved€by€Satan,Š ų"” Šand€the€present€evil€world.€Thou€hast€redeemed€me,€and€at€thy€footstool€I€bow€myself€with€entireŠ ä#€  Šsubmission.€Other€lords,€besides€thee,€have€had€dominion€over€me,€but€now€by€thee€only€will€I€makeŠ Š$l! Šmention€of€thy€name.€Thou€art€my€God,€and€I€will€praise€thee;€my€fatherššs€God,€and€I€will€exalt€thee.€Š ¼%X" Šš šWhatsoever€thou€choosest€me€to€be,€to€have,€to€want,€to€do,€or€to€suffer,€I€cheerfully€acquiesce€inŠ Ø&D # Šthy€wise€and€righteous€appointments.šš€Instruct€me€to€know€thy€will,€and€assist€me€to€do€it.€O,€myŠ ”'0!$ ŠFather,€I€now€join€myself€to€thee€in€a€perpetual€covenant,€never€to€be€forgotten!€I€had€rather€be€a€doorŠ €("% Škeeper€in€thy€house,€than€dwell€in€the€tents€of€wickedness.€Let€me€but€feel€thy€supporting€hand,€hearŠ l)#& Šthy€gracious€voice,€and€see€thy€reconciled€countenance,€and€I€can€go€on€my€way€rejoicing.€O,€thouŠ X*ō#' ŠPrince€of€life!€thou€Lover€and€Saviour€of€men!€receive€a€worthless€sinner.€Thou€only€art€my€master,Š D+ą$( Šmy€guide,€my€deliverer,€my€portion!€May€I€never,€no€never,€deny€or€dishonour€thee.€O,€Holy€SpiritŠ 0,Ģ%) ŠŃp$>Ńā āŃ‹ČŃā āŃ  Ńof€grace!€I€desire€to€resign€myself€to€thy€quickening,€illuminating,€and€sanctifying€power.€TakeŠ ' Špossession€of€my€soul.€Turn€out€every€rival,€and€reign€over€all€my€affections€with€uncontrolledŠ ģ Šauthority.€Prepare€me€for€every€good€word€and€work€on€earth,€and€for€everlasting€joy€in€heaven.Š ’Ų Šą  ąSuch€a€solemn€covenant-engagement€as€this€may€leave€a€lasting€and€favourable€impressionŠ ėÄ Šon€the€mind.€In€future€days,€it€may€be€profitable€to€review€it,€and€repeat€your€vows.€Nor€let€it€beŠ × ° Šthought,€there€is€any€thing€singular€in€making€such€a€covenant€with€God.€David€thus€bound€hisŠ Ć œ Štreacherous€heart.€O€my€soul,€thou€hast€said€unto€the€Lord,€Thou€art€ņņmy€Lord.€óóPaul€thus€surrenderedŠ Æ ˆ Šhimself€to€the€Redeemer,€and€could€say,€š šI€know€whom€I€have€believed,€and€am€persuaded€that€heŠ › t Šis€able€to€keep€what€I€have€ņņcommitted€óóunto€him€against€that€day.šš€š šWhen€the€disciples€of€SocratesŠ ‡ ` Šbrought€rich€presents€to€him,€as€proofs€of€their€regard€and€affection,€there€was€one€who€said,€š šI€amŠ sL  Špoor,€and€having€no€property,€I€give€you€all€I€have,€I€give€up€myself€to€you.šš€Socrates€answered,€š šŠ _8  ŠThou€couldest€not€have€brought€me€a€more€acceptable€present.€I€receive€the€gift,€and€I€will€restoreŠ K$  Šthee€back€to€thyself€better€than€when€I€received€thee.šš€You€cannot€carry€any€offering€to€Christ€soŠ 7  Špleasing€to€him€as€yourself.€He€is€your€sole€Master.€Socrates€was€but€as€a€glimmering€taper,€amidstŠ #ü  Šsurrounding€darkness,€Christ€is€the€great€Sun€of€Righteousness.€He€will€teach€you€freely,€and€saveŠ č  Šyou€fully.€You€must,€however,€give€yourself€to€him,€not€for€a€few€years€only,€but€forever.€If€youŠ ūŌ  Šcontinue€in€his€word,€and€keep€his€covenant€now,€you€shall€hereafter€dwell€in€his€immediateŠ ēĄ Špresence,€in€the€mansions€of€unsullied€glory.Š Ó¬ ŠĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢą@ģģ*ģąŌ‡¼»ō»XXį˜Ōņ ņˆĢĢą@ģģ*ģąˆŠ W+0%( Šą@ĘĘ'ģąPRAYERSó óŌ#†Xį˜X»¼»ōVn#ŌˆŠ ' ŠĢßA€^ ) °°` dE<&` Aߊ ' ŠĢą@““ģąPRAYER€FOR€EXAMINATION.ˆŠ " ū ŠEternal€God,€the€great€Searcher€of€hearts,€who€knowest€all€our€secret€thoughts,€and€from€whose€allŠ  ē Šseeing€eye€nothing€is€hid,€dispose€me€frequently€to€examine€the€state€of€my€mind,€and€to€compareŠ ś Ó Šmine€actions€with€the€rule€of€thy€laws,€that€nothing€contrary€to€thy€holy€will€may€ever€find€a€settledŠ ę æ Šabode€in€my€soul;€and€let€me€so€consider€my€ways,€as€to€turn€my€feet€unto€thy€testimonies,€to€repent,Š Ņ « Šand€to€live.€Grant€that€I€may€so€impartially€judge€and€condemn€myself,€that€I€may€not€be€condemnedŠ ¾ —  Šat€thy€dreadful€tribunal.€Let€not€self-love€impose€upon€me€in€a€matter€of€such€high€importance;€letŠ Ŗƒ  Šnot€sloth€and€negligence€deter€me€from€keeping€mine€accounts€clear€and€spotless;€let€no€darlingŠ –o  Špassion€be€so€far€indulged,€as€to€escape€the€scrutiny€of€serious€examination:€and€whenever,€O€Lord,Š ‚[  ŠI€have€discovered€mine€own€vileness,€grant€that,€by€the€assistance€of€thy€grace,€I€may€humble€myselfŠ nG  Šunder€a€proper€sense€of€it€before€thee;€that€I€may€from€my€heart€condemn€all€those€follies,€by€whichŠ Z3  ŠI€have€so€justly€provoked€thy€wrath€and€indignation€against€me;€that€I€may€earnestly€solicit€thyŠ F  Špardon€and€forgiveness€through€the€merits€of€my€Redeemer;€that€I€may€be€careful€to€stand€upon€myŠ 2  Šguard€for€the€future;€and€by€prayer€and€watchfulness€engage€thy€powerful€protection,€which€is€soŠ ÷ Šnecessary€to€support€me€in€the€time€of€temptation,€the€day€of€trial,€and€the€awful€hour€of€death.€GrantŠ  ć Šthis,€O€Lord,€for€the€sake.€of€Jesus€Christ,€mine€only€Mediator€and€Advocate.€Amen.€Š öĻ ŠĢßA€^ ) °°` dE<Ķ` Aߊ Ī§ ŠĢą@|| ģąFOR€TRUE€CONTRITION.ˆŠ É¢ ŠMost€gracious€God,€full€of€compassion,€long-suffering,€and€of€great€pity,€who€sparest€when€weŠ µŽ Šdeserve€punishment,€and€in€thy€wrath€thinkest€upon€mercy;€cause€me€earnestly€to€repent,€and€heartilyŠ ”z Što€be€sorry€for€all€my€misdoings:€make€the€remembrance€of€them€so€burdensome€and€painful€to€me,Š f Šthat€I€may€flee€to€thee€with€a€troubled€spirit,€and€a€contrite€heart.€Forgive€me€all€the€sins€which€I€canŠ yR Šnow€call€to€remembrance;€and€forgive€me€likewise€all€my€transgressions€of€thy€holy€will,€which€mayŠ e> Šnow€be€out€of€tho€reach€of€my€memory,€but€which€have€been€open€to€thine€all-seeing€eye,€and€areŠ Q* Šknown€to€thee€with€all€their€circumstances€and€aggravations.€Pardon€me,€O€Lord,€according€to€theŠ =  Šabundant€goodness€of€thy€nature,€and€the€declarations€made€by€thy€Son€Jesus€Christ;€and€grant€meŠ )! Šthat€forgiveness€which€I€can€neither€ask€nor€expect,€but€upon€those€terms€and€conditions€which€thyŠ "ī  Šholiness€and€mercy€have€laid€down€in€the€gospel.€And€as€I€am€truly€sensible€that€no€forgiveness€canŠ #Ś! Šbe€expected,€according€to€thy€word,€without€amendment€of€life,€I€seriously€renounce€allŠ ķ#Ę" Šcommunication€with€whatever€is€displeasing€to€thee,€and€sincerely€resolve€to€make€it€my€greatŠ Ł$²# Šendeavor€to€correct€every€thing€that€is€amiss€in€my€temper€and€behavior,€and€to€bring€myself€stillŠ Å%ž$ Šnearer€to€thy€holiness€and€perfection.€Forgive€me,€therefore,€as€thou€hast€promised€by€thy€dearlyŠ ±&Š % Šbeloved€Son;€visit,€comfort,€and€relieve€me;€cast€me€not€away€from€thy€presence,€and€take€not€thyŠ 'v!& ŠHoly€Spirit€from€me;€but€excite€in€me€true€repentance€and€contrition;€give€me€knowledge€of€thyŠ ‰(b"' Štruth,€and€confidence€in€thy€mercy;€and€in€the€world€to€come,€life€everlasting,€for€the€sake€of€JesusŠ u)N#( ŠChrist,€my€Lord€and€Saviour.€Amen,€Š a*:$) ŠĢą@ģģ*ģąßA€^ ) °°` dE<8,` A߈Š 9,&+ Š‡ą@]]%ģąFOR€PARDON.ˆŠ ' ŠMost€gracious€God,€who€desireth€not€the€death€of€a€sinner,€but€rather€that€he€should€turn€from€hisŠ ģ Šwickedness€and€live;€unto€thee€I€present€my€humble€supplications,€not€only€for€mercy€to€pardon€myŠ ’Ų Špast€offences,€but€also€for€grace€to€assist€me€in€times€of€future€need.€Create€in€me€a€clean€heart,€andŠ ėÄ Šrenew€a€right€spirit€within€me.€Make€me€to€reflect€on€my€ways,€to€turn€my€feet€unto€thy€testimoniesŠ × ° Šand€wherein€I€have€done€amiss€to€do€so€no€more.€Give€me€that€godly€sorrow€which€workethŠ Ć œ Šrepentance€unto€salvation€not€to€be€repented€of.€Lead€me€not€into€temptation,€but€deliver€me€fromŠ Æ ˆ Ševil;€and€grant€that€I€may€finally€come€off€conqueror,€yea€more€than€conqueror,€through€him€whoŠ › t Šhath€loved€us.€Forgetting€those€things€that€are€behind,€may€I€press€forward€to€the€mark€for€the€prizeŠ ‡ ` Šof€the€high€calling€of€God€in€Christ€Jesus.€Let€not€my€goodness€be€as€the€morning€cloud,€or€the€earlyŠ sL  Šdew,€which€passeth€away;€but€may€it€be€as€the€shining€light,€which€shineth€more€and€more€unto€theŠ _8  Šperfect€day.€Finally,€let€no€iniquity€have€dominion€over€me;€but€may€I€be€steadfast,€immoveable,Š K$  Šalways€abounding€in€the€work€of€the€Lord,€forasmuch€as€I€know€that€my€labor€will€not€then€be€inŠ 7  Švain.€Grant€this,€O€God,€for€the€sake€of€Jesus€Christ.€Amen.€Š #ü  ŠĢą@ģģ*ģąßA€^ ) °°` dE<ś` A߈Š ūŌ  ŠĢą@ŒŒ%ģąFOR€GRACE.€ˆŠ öĻ ŠGracious€God,€who€hast€promised€to€give€thy€Holy€Spirit€to€them€that€ask;€vouchsafe€unto€me,€IŠ ā» Šbeseech€thee,€its€all€powerful€influence€to€cleanse€my€polluted€nature,€to€comfort€me€in€all€myŠ Ī§ Štroubles,€to€succor€me€in€temptations,€and€to€assist€me€in€the€discharge€of€my€duty,€that€I€may€beŠ ŗ“ Šenabled€to€walk€in€thy€faith€and€fear€all€the€days€of€my€life.€To€thy€gracious€protection€I€commit€myŠ ¦ Šsoul,€O€thou€that€art€faithful,€as€well€as€good;€watch€over€me,€therefore,€that€I€be€not€beguiled€by€theŠ ’k Šdeceitfulness€of€sin,€by€tho€contagion€of€mine€own€corrupt€heart,€or€the€malice€of€my€spiritualŠ ~W Šenemies;€but€may€I€so€watch€and€pray€that€I€enter€not€into€temptation;€and€after€having€lived€the€lifeŠ jC Šof€grace€here,€may€inherit€thy€glory€hereafter,€in€another€and€a€better€world,€for€the€sake€of€JesusŠ V/ ŠChrist.€Amen.€Š B ŠĢą@ģģ*ģąßA€^ ) °°` dE<` A߈Š ó ŠĢĢą@o o ģąFOR€PREPARATION€FOR€ETERNITY.ˆŠ !Ś ŠLord€God€Almighty,€who€hast€ordained€this€life€as€a€passage€to€the€future,€by€confining€ourŠ ķ!Ę  Šconversion€to€the€time€of€our€pilgrimage€here,€and€reserving€for€hereafter€the€state€of€punishment€andŠ Ł"²! Šreward;€vouchsafe€me€the€assistance€of€thy€grace,€who€still€have€an€opportunity€of€reconcilement€toŠ Å#ž" Šthee,€that€I€may€so€watch€over€all€mine€actions,€and€correct€every€deviation€in€my€way€to€heaven,€asŠ ±$Š# Šneither€to€be€surprised€with€my€sins€uncancelled,€nor€called€away€with€my€duties€unperformed;€butŠ %v$ Šthat,€when€my€body€descendeth€to€the€grave,€my€soul€may€ascend€to€thee,€and€dwell€for€ever€in€thoseŠ ‰&b % Šmansions€of€eternal€felicity,€which€are€prepared€for€all€thy€faithful€servants,€through€the€merits€ofŠ u'N!& ŠJesus€Christ,€thy€Son,€our€Lord.€Amen.€Š a(:"' Š