hell. In that dismal prison no gleam of hope shines, no fountain of mercy flows. The Redeemer says, To you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men. When God pardons our sins, he is said to blot them out, to remove them as far as the east is from the west, or to cast them into the depths of the sea. These expressions not only throw light upon the subject of forgiveness, but also afford peculiar encouragement to the penitent. Though his sins should be ever so numerous, or ever so odious, they shall not appear against him for his condemnation. Though you should owe more than ten thousand talents, the book being crossed, you shall stand completely clear. Though your sins be like a cloud, which blackens the face of heaven, burdens the air, and gathers a mighty tempest, they shall be entirely and forever removed. Isa. xliv. 22. This is one of the chief blessings secured to men by the glorious covenant of grace. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their, sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. Heb. viii. 1-12. Dr. Owen justly observes, "That the pardon bestowed by God, is not like that narrow, difficult, halving forgiveness, that is found mong men, when any such thing is found among them; but it is full, free, bottomless, boundless, absolute, such as becomes his nature

and excellencies." Now if you really wish this invaluable blessing, the gospel brings it in its bosom, and offers it without money and without price. God commands and invites you to accept of pardon, he pleads with you to receive it, he points to the blood of atonement, the intercession of his Son, and the examples of those who have obtained forgiveness to prevail with you.

1. God commands you to accept of pardon.. After Christ had risen from the dead, he gave his apostles authority to spread the glad tidings of salvation throughout the world. They were sent to preach repentance and remission of sins to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke xxiv. 47. Astonishing mercy! How many righteous men, how many heaven-inspired prophets had been slain in that bloody city. There, the Messiah himself was mocked and buffeted, con demned and crucified. Who would have wondered, if he had said, Go and preach repentance and remission of sins every where, except in that devoted city, Jerusalem. The apostles zealously obeyed the order of their master, as appears from Acts ii. 28, iii. 19. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out; when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. There it may be seen, that pardon follows penitence. What God has joined, must not,

cannot be put asunder. You are as much commanded to receive forgiveness, as you are to repent. Do not then resist the authority of God through unbelief. Say not, I am so vile, that there can be no forgiveness extended to me. The blessing is held out in the promise, and the command requires you to take it.

Mr. Marshall, author of a Treatise on Sanctification, in his early years was under great distress for a long time, through a consciousness of guilt, and a dread of the divine displeasure. At last mentioning his case to Dr. Thomas Goodwin, and lamenting the greatness of his sins, that able divine replied, "You have forgotten the greatest sin of all, the sin of unbelief in refusing to believe in Christ, and rely on his atonement and righteousness for your acceptance with God." This word in season banished his fears. He looked to Jesus, and was filled with joy and peace in believing! By disobeying the commands of the law, you sin against divine majesty, but by diso beying the commands of the gospel, you sin against divine mercy. If indeed you remember your sins, and be deeply humbled, God has promised to forget them, and be reconciled to you.

2. God invites you to accept of pardon The year of redemption is come. The trumpet of jubilee in sweet and melodious tones proclaims liberty to the captive, and the opening of the

prison to them that are bound. Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound. Blessed is the man whose transgression is forgiven, and whose sin is covered. If the authority of God does not awe, let the kindess of God allure you. Do you think these tidings are too good to be true? While you linger, he sends forth messenger after messenger, with winning invitations and persuasions, to compel you to come in. Do not raise objections, or make excuses. It is the policy of hell to keep back the hungry, fainting soul from the rich provision of the gospel. Come, needy sinners, for all things are now ready. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isa. lv. 6, 7. Do you cry out, wonderful condescension! Who could have thought of such goodness? Who could have believed such a report, without the clearest and strongest proofs? I reply, it is true this is not the manner of men. But my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts, Isa.lv. 8, 9.

3. God not only invites you but pleads with you to accept pardon.

You do not need many arguments to persuade you to accept earthly blessings. And why is there not the same readiness to receive spiritual blessings? Hark! a voice softer than music, yet more majestic than the sound of many waters addresses you. Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me. Rev. iii. 20. Perhaps you answer, Lord, I am not worthy thou shouldest come under iny roof. I am all guilt and defilement. Wilt thou be a guest with one who deserves, if there were so many, a thousand hells? Hark! the same voice again speaks. Come, let us reason together, saith the Lord: Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isa. i. 18. When the Lord of glory designs to reason with you, and use such arguments, can you hold out in unbelief and remain unmoved? Were a king to go to a prison full of condemned criminals, and offer them pardon, do you think they would need many words to persuade them to accept it? I leave you both to answer the question, and make the application.