brink of an awful precipice: if he prevail in persuading thee that it is now too late, he pushes thee headlong into everlasting ruin. In both he acts in character, “a liar and a murderer from the begin"ning."

God's ways are above our ways, and his thoughts above our thoughts," and his mercies are higher than the heavens," else the case of the aged sinner would be desperate. But now, though he will not accept the late repentance, and the feeble obedience of one poor hour, because they merit such a favour; yet for his own name's sake, and through the atonement and intercession of Jesus, he will pardon, justify, and save all that truly repent and believe the Gospel. This discovery of the unspeakable riches of divine love, whilst it gives encouragement to the drooping heart, ought to increase the sinner's remorse for having so neglected and abused a God of such excellency and mercy; and to quicken his diligence, in availing himself of the divine patience, by fleeing for refuge to the hope still set before him. 66 To-day, if ye will hear his “ voice," before to-morrow, embrace his proffered mercy, and harden not your hearts. And whatever stage of human life you are now arrived at, I can only inculcate the same exhortation. "Behold, "now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day "of salvation ;" and suggest the same petition; "So “teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom*." "Whatsoever thy

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"hand findeth to do, do it speedily," and "with "thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor

*Psalm. xc. 12.

"knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, whither thou "goest*." I have shown you that this, of all other, is the most necessary and important work you can find to do: make then no delay, lest "he swear in " his wrath, that you shall never enter into his rest."

* Eccles. ix. 10.

PART. V.

THE MEANS OF REPENTANCE.

IN

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N entering on this part of our subject, a formidable objection may be started, and even grounded on what hath already been discoursed upon, against treating on the means of repentance at all. It hath been observed, that repentance is the gift of God to us, the purchase of Christ for us, and the work of the Holy Spirit in us: How then" it will be objected, can we do any thing towards it? If it please God to bestow it upon us, we shall repent without difficulty or labour: if not, our labour will be alto'gether to no purpose.'-It is indeed a certain truth, that repentance is the gift of God, as it has been proved from plain Scriptural testimonies; but it is equally true, and capable of the same proof, that we must diligently labour for it. Nor is there any inconsistency betwixt these distinct views of the subject they only appear inconsistent to our dark and narrow apprehensions. Upon a similar occasion, the Truth, the Word, and the Wisdom of God saith, "LABOUR not for the meat that perisheth

"but for that meat, which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall GIVE you*." Christ will give it most freely, but you must labour for it most diligently. Thus the harvest is the gift of God, who giveth seed to the sower; who giveth rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, and causeth the earth to yield her increase: yet must the husbandman labour. In both temporal and spiritual concerns, God gives not to the slothful, but to the diligent; and his bounty does not supersede, but encourage our activity.

He works in us, that we may work out our own salvation; he hath appointed means, and commanded us to use them. Obedience is our duty. We ought to use the means, and trust in the Lord to render them effectual; but not to depend on them, or rest in them. They, who seriously desire to repent and turn to God, will manifest their sincerity, by thus using every proper means with diligence and perseverance: nor shall their labour be in vain; "for every one that asketh receiveth, and he that "seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall "be opened." But negligence will detect hypocrites, and justify God in their condemnation. Something then must be done, in order to our being made partakers of repentance: not under the notion of merit, as if we made the purchase, for it is the gift of God: not under the notion of efficacious operation; for it is the work of divine grace: but in order to evidence our integrity in purposing repentance; and that we may be found waiting upon God in the way of his appointment. And though the

John vi. 27.

means will not effect the end, without efficacious grace: yet they are quite as much calculated to produce the effect, as medicines are to remove sickness, or agriculture to produce the crop, both of which are rendered effectual only by the divine blessing.

I. Then, Consider your ways as David did, "I "thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy "testimonies*." Are you now desirous truly to repent? Retire frequently into your chamber, shun the hurry and dissipation of a crowd, and court solitude, that you may recollect yourselves, and seriously commune with your own hearts. There minutely review your whole past life with exactness survey your thoughts, words, and actions, ever since the dawn of reason, or from the beginning of recollection. Ask yourselves seriously such questions as these: What have you been scheming, intending, pursuing all your days? What hath been the standard of your judgment, and rule of your conduct? The opinion of men, or the word of God; the fashions of the world, or the example of Christ? What have your affections been fixed on? Have you given God or the world, your heart: I mean your warmest desires, and most devoted attachment? Have you intentionally been pleasing God, or yourselves? Have you been seeking his glory in every thing, or your own ease, interest, gratification, and honour? In what have your time and money been. most cheerfully expended? In works of piety and charity; or in gratifying your sensuality, pride, and ambition? Have you been laying up, or aiming to

*Psalm cxix. 59.