the dead and because we are so backward to believe it, and so much depends upon believing it, he confirms it with a double asseveration-" Verily, verily, I say unto you."

But though the work be great, and require labour and self-denial, there is no cause for despondency; the encouragements are proportionable: the success certain to every one who is in good earnest about it; and the work itself unspeakably more pleasant than all the forbidden delights of sin.

PART III.

ENCOURAGEMENTS TO REPENTANCE.

I HAVE already intimated, that he who, convinced of the necessity of repentance, in good earnest uses those means which God hath appointed in order to it, may depend upon the effectual assistance of the holy Spirit in this important undertaking, which will render it both practicable and pleasant: and the same topic will afterwards be resumed, when those means are treated of. I shall not, therefore, further speak upon that subject in this place, but lead your attention to those encouragements, which arise from the assurance that repentance is inseparably connected with salvation.

I. In the first place, "God commandeth all men "every where to repent." Were there any of the human race who did not need repentance; or any to whom repentance would be unavailing, we may be sure God would not have given such a commandment. He sends no message of this kind to fallen angels, or the souls of wicked men who have died in their sins; because he hath determined to show

them no mercy. Having done wrong in sinning, doubtless they continue to do wrong in not repenting and their impenitent rebellion and enmity to God, will eternally illustrate his justice in their condemnation; as all will see, that he doth not without cause treat them as enemies. A man who hath murdered his lawful prince, though the law must have its course, ought to repent, and shows a still more desperate spirit of rebellion if he die vindicating his conduct. Yet the avenger of blood, designing no mercy, requires no submission. A command to submit and repent, if sent to a company of condemned criminals, would directly excite a beam of hope in every relenting breast.-God sends his ministers and word, commanding thee, O sinner, to repent : were no more said, thou mightest safely draw this conclusion: Certainly he hath thoughts of peace, and intends to show mercy to all who obey the 'summons.'

II. God is always in Scripture represented as peculiarly ready to receive and entertain repenting sinners. "I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning "himself thus: Thou hast chastised me, and I was "chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke : "turn me and I shall be turned; for thou art the "LORD my God. Surely after that I was turned, I "repented: and after that I was instructed, I smote

upon my thigh. I was ashamed, yea, even con“founded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth. Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he a plea"sant child? for since I spake against him, I do "earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels "are troubled for him, I will surely have mercy

upon him saith the LORD§." Here is the true penitent, mourning for sin, covered with shame, and crying for mercy; and the encouraging answer of that God, "who waited to be gracious." The same is most emphatically inculcated by the experience of David in the thirty-second Psalm. There mark carefully, how soon the sweet sense of forgiving love followed his ingenuous confession of guilt.

But omitting many other Scriptures for the sake of brevity, let me detain you a little in meditating on the prodigal son; a parable spoken on purpose to encourage the publicans and sinners, who listened to the words of Jesus. Let us attentively consider the character of the prodigal, his disdainful and ungrateful behaviour to a wise and indulgent father, his debauched and dissolute life, and the misery to which he was reduced. Here, as in a glass, we may see ourselves; our pride and ingratitude, our contempt of God and wilful departure from him, our folly, and our misery whilst we live in sin. Then let us view him at length come to himself, conscious of his guilt, sinking under his misery, covered with shame, adopting the resolution of returning to his offended father, with penitent confessions and humble supplications. Discouraged as well as humbled, by the recollection of his own vileness, his only hope arises from meditating on the kindness of him whom he had so basely offended; and he can just enough raise his mind above despondency to expect, that, perhaps, after many repulses, and reiterated submissions and intreaties, answered by deserved upbraidings, his father might be at length prevailed on

Jer. xxxi. 18-20.

to admit him, in some mean capacity, to share that plenty which his servants enjoyed. Here we have the frame of spirit, the hopes, and the fears, of the true penitent, most affectingly delineated.-But behold the tender father is looking out with eager expectation for the return of his lost prodigal: he sees him afar off, and, through paternal tenderness and compassion, is regardless of his age and gravity, and runs to meet him. Finding that he abhorred and condemned himself, without one reproach or the least delay, he welcomes him as a son; clothes, feasts, and rejoices over him, and commands all his servants to rejoice with him: "Because," says he, "this my son was dead and is alive! was lost, and " is found!"

Thus shall every true penitent be welcomed by a gracious God. Not only shall he meet with a kinder reception than his fears foreboded; but his most sanguine expectations shall be far exceeded; his sins, however numerous, shall not be mentioned against him; his wants shall be all supplied; pardon and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, shall be conferred on him; the robe of righteousness and salvation shall clothe him; angels in heaven shall rejoice more over him, than over ninety and nine Pharisees, who in their own judgment need no repentance; yea, God himself shall acknowledge him as his own child, and rejoice over him to do him good. Arise then, poor dejected sinner, and imitate this prodigal.

III. We have seen that repentance and forgiveness are connected, in a great many texts of Scripture, which have been cited, and many others might be produced. But I would more especially call your