divine mercy, we are made to see and bewail our sins; to turn wholly unto God, and to resolve and endeavour to serve him faithfully for the time to come.

And to oblige you to a speedy resolution in this matter, consider that every day's delay will render your repentance more difficult and uncertain, that the evil day may overtake you while you are deliberating, and that sin is so far from being mortified by age, that every day's indulgence in it, increases its power; and so much strength as we add to our disease we take from ourselves. And this is a double weakening of ourselves, when we do not only lose our own strength, but the enemy gets it and employs it against us. Besides, how hard is it for any man to be assured of the reality of his repentance, when there is not sufficient opportunity to make trial of his sincerity. A sick man, as he has lost his appetite for the most pleasant meats and drinks, for the same reason finds his sinful pleasures nauseous to him. And now he is resolved against sin, just as a man that is sick is resolved against meat. But if the fit were over, and death would raise his siege, it is to be feared that his former appetite would soon return to him, and that he would sin with the same eagerness as before. Besides, how can we expect that God will accept of our repentance, when we are conscious to ourselves that we had resolved to put it off until we could sin no longer. Can we think it fit for any man to say to God in a dying hour, "Lord now the world leaves me, I come to thee; I pray thee, give eternal lifeto me, who could never afford to thee one good day of my life. I must confess, that

my

Five tofthee, but now i repent of them for fear of thee; I am conscious that I never would do any thing purely for thy sake, but yet I hope thy goodness is such that thou wilt accept this forced submission which I now make." Surely none can think it fit to say thus to God; and yet it is to be feared, that this is the true interpretation of many a man's repentance, who has deferred it till he comes to die.* This sentiment is not urged to discou

* See an excellent sermon on repentance in Tillotson's works.

rage repentance even at this period. It is always the best that a man can do or attempt. But it must be admitted that every man should be discouraged from deferring this necessary work till so unfavourable a moment, when lethargies, anxieties and pains unfit the soul for the solemn task of making its peace with God. "Say not then that God's mercy is great, and he will be pacified for the multitude of thy sins. For mercy and wrath are with him; he is mighty to forgive and to pour out displeasure. And as his mercy is great, so are his corrections also. Therefore make no longer tarrying to turn to the Lord, and put not off from day to day; for suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord come forth, and in thy security shalt thou be destroyed. Humble thyself before thou be sick, and in the time of sins shew repentance. Let nothing hinder thee to pay thy vows in due time, and defer not till death to be justified.'

Collect for Ash Wednesday.

Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of those who are penitent; create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

* Eccles. v. 6. and xviii. 22.

CHAPTER IX.

Faith.

As without faith it is impossible to please God, it is of importance that we fairly understand the foundation upon which its obligation rests, as well as its nature and effects.

In order to derive the benefits of any system, we must first give it our credence. This is equally true of the gospel as of any other system. If the gospel be the only rule of salvation, we must obey it, and in order to obey it we must believe it.

That it is the only rule of salvation is probable from these considerations, without the gospel man never did know and can never know his duty to God, and consequently, cannot possess the means of obtaining his favour. This is proved by an impartial appeal to those nations who have been, and still are without the light of the gospel. They are not acquainted with the simple precepts of morality, or if they are, they on the other hand allow the practice of vices which must offend that Being who delights only in virtue. They offend him further by the most abominable rights of cruelty in their religious offering. "Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings and calves of a year old? shall I give of the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” These are

the anxious inquiries of human nature; and miserable would be our condition, if it had not pleased God to shew us what was good, and that to love mercy, do justly, and walk humbly before him was all that was required of those who believed in Jesus Christ, the prop

thout faith it is impossible to please God, it is of ace that we fairly understand the foundation ich its obligation rests, as well as its nature and

der to derive the benefits of any system, we st give it our credence. This is equally true of bel as of any other system. If the gospel be the e of salvation, we must obey it, and in order to we must believe it.

it is the only rule of salvation is probable from onsiderations, without the gospel man never did and can never know his duty to God, and contly, cannot possess the means of obtaining his

'This is proved by an impartial appeal to nations who have been, and still are without ht of the gospel. They are not acquainted The simple precepts of morality, or if they are, on the other hand allow the practice of vices must offend that Being who delights only in virThey offend him further by the most abominable of cruelty in their religious offering. "Whereshall I come before the Lord, and bow myselt behe High God? Shall I come before him with burnt ngs and calves of a year old? shall I give of the of my body for the sin of my soul.?" These are nxious inquiries of human nature; and miserable d be our condition, if it had not pleased God to us what was good, and that to love mercy, do y, and walk humbly before him was all that was ired of those who believed in Jesus Christ, the propi