punishments, which God has threatened in his holy word.

2. Hence follows a sorrow for sin. A sight of sin is so grievous and distressing, that it leads the penitent to mourn and weep bitterly; like Peter, when he reflected upon his base conduct towards his Master, Sin. is now a heavy burden, which the penitent can neither bear nor remove; and it remains upon him both day and night, He often cries out, "O wretched man that I am!" No sorrow is like his sorrow. "The spirit of man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?" With this wounded spirit he sighs and groans as one without hope. Many think he is going mad; but it is certain he is becoming wise. Thoughtless men direct him to company, amusement, and sensual pleasure, as the best cure of melancholy and dejection; but wise and good men direct him to a throne of grace. Ask him the cause of his sorrow. Does he give you the answer of a madman? No: he says, 'I have sinned against the best of beings I have destroyed myself: I am under a curse: and, continuing in my present state, hell will be my portion!'

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3. The next thing in repentance is a turning from sin. Sin now appears hateful. The penitent abhors and detests it, and flees

from it as from the face of a serpent. God has said, "Let the wicked forsake his way." The penitent obeys this command. He quits at once both sin and sinful companions, resolving never more to of fend a holy God. We do not suppose he has absolute power over sin at present; but he endeavours to conquer it. Death appears less dreadful to him than sin; and he had rather die than yield to its baneful influences. If this be not the case, he is not a sincere penitent. He may profess it before men; but God, who sees the heart, will not approve. It is an easy thing to deceive men, and we may deceive ourselves; but God cannot be deceived. never read of a penitent in the word of God who did not forsake all his evil ways, The thing, indeed, will speak for itself. What we pursue we love. We cannot pursue sin without a love for it; and if we love and pursue it, how can we be said to repent?

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4. Another important part of repentance is a turning to God. "Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord." The penitent returns with a humble, broken, contrite heart, confessing his sins to God. He comes as the publican in the temple, saying, "God be merciful to me, a sinner." The justice of God appears dreadful; but there is hope in his mercy,

He goes boldy to a throne of grace through Jesus his mediator and advocate. He seeks the Lord in all the means of grace, and joins himself to the people of God. He returns in his affections, desiring God above all things. He returns to his duty, saying, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" Such a one is not far from the kingdom of God. His sorrow will soon be turned into joy. The gloomy, dismal state of penitence, will vanish as clouds and darkness before the sun; and the glorious Sun of Righteousness will arise upon him with healing in his wings.

II. THE CERTAINTY

WITHOUT REPENTANCE.

OF PERISHING

1. It must be allowed that all men have sinned and come short of the glory of God. "The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside; they are altogether become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no not one.' Every soul of man is guilty.

2. It is equally clear that sin must either be pardoned or punished. Every man must fall either into the hand of justice or of mercy. This is a necessary consequence of our probationary state. God has placed us here in a state of awful trial for eternity, and we must soon

appear before a righteous Judge, to give an account of the deeds done in the body. If our sins be not remitted, the Judge must condemn our souls to everlasting fire.

3. Pardon cannot be obtained without repentance. No man should expect it. We cannot see a need of pardon, if we neither see nor feel our sinfulness. We cannot reasonably indulge a hope, if we neither turn from sin, nor turn to God. "A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on and are punished."

4. It must follow then that those who

neglect repentance will perish. They will perish body and soul for ever. Sinner, be alarmed! Tremble before God! He will not be mocked. "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." God gives thee space to repent; but it will soon end. In a future world thou wilt find no place for repentance. Dost thou laugh at the mourning penitent? Remember, it is better to weep and mourn now, than to weep and mourn in the flames of hell. The damned would give a thousand worlds for thy opportunity; but their dreadful state will soon be thine, unless thou repent.

The jews were often warned; but they slighted warning. The blood of the Galileans shed by Pilate, and the falling of the tower in Siloam, were awful em

blems of that destruction which came upon them when the Romans besieged Jerusalem. In that memorable siege, if we are to credit Josephus, their own historian, eleven hundred thousand perished! Their towers fell their temple was burnedtheir city was destroyed-and those who survived the dreadful scene were taken captives, to return no more to their beloved land. Their wretched descendants are still scattered over the nations; nor will they ever return without true repentance, and an acknowledgment that Jesus is the Christ. Thus in the end of the world the terrible judgments of God will overtake and overwhelm impenitent sinners.

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when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape."

I shall conclude in the words of Peter to his deluded countrymen: "Repent ye there fore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord."