our creator; and it is not owing to our care, but to his providence, that we are all here alive at this day. When we reflect on the singular goodness of God towards us, and consider how much folly and perverseness have marked our conduct towards him, we shall be constrained to take up the words of Balaam, at last convicted and penitent, and say " I have sinned, for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me. Now, therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again." The proof of repentance is to do works meet for repentance. We must renounce entirely the things that have occasioned our misery, and turn unto God with all our heart and mind, and soul, and strength; not that we have strength in ourselves, but we must seek it from God. We must depend wholly upon him, and beg that he will guide and govern us; and guide us he will, for he has promised it, not only through the dangers and difficulties arising from outward obstacles, but through the intricate paths of heresy and error; for the spirit of truth shall lead us into all truth, and cause us to find more peace and happiness in the ways of God's commandments, than in all the pomps and vanities of this wicked world. Yea, we shall, like Moses, esteem even the reproach of Christ to be greater riches than all the treasures of Egypt. Let us then confess our sin, and turn unto the Lord; for if we say, we have no sin, the truth is not in us, but if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."* That we may all be thus pardoned and cleansed, may God, of his infinite mercy grant, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. *1. John, i. 8,9. |