that the divine law is very strict, and its sentence very dreadful he may be greatly alarmed and distressed about the consequences, and secretly quarrel with the command and the sanction; and yet have no genuine repentance; nay, he may be in a state of heart diametrically opposite to it.

Repentance, according to the Scripture, may be stated to begin, or to be introduced, by consideration" Thus saith the LORD, consider your ways. "-Because he considereth, and turneth away from "all his transgressions; he shall surely live and not “die.*››

Look into the world around you, my brethren; survey the lives of mankind in general. What total inconsideration must we observe, and how little do men think of the wrath of GoD, of the day of judg ment, or the rule prescribed for their conduct! How little do they reflect on their relations and obligations to the great CREATOR and JUDGE of the world! How little do they attend even to their own thoughts, words, and actions! How very little to the motives from which they act! The greatest number live in a perpetual hurry either of business or of pleasure, or of both in succession. Among the superior classes especially, there is a regular system of banishing consideration. All dissipation, whether of a more publick, or retired nature, not only tends, but is intended, to deliver men from the uneasiness of solitude and serious reflection; and the desire of this deliverance is the source whence vast multitudes derive abundant

gains! In devising amusement, with tolerable inge nuity, they cannot fail of obtaining an ample com. pensation.

Thus the prodigal son is represented as devoid of consideration, "when wasting his substance in riot"ous living." But at length, "He came to himself." He began to reflect on the past, or the present, and on his future prospects. "Awake thou that sleepest, "and arise from the dead, and CHRIST shall give "thee light."

When the careless sinner thus "comes to him"self," he considers what he has been doing; where he now is; whither he is going; and what is likely to befal him. He now examines his thoughts, his words, and his actions; he studies the rule which Gon hath prescribed; and compares his past and present conduct with it, both in respect of what he has done, and what he has neglected to do; estimating also bis advantages, and the uses which he has made of them. And, as he does this, with the great day of account and righteous retribution before his eyes; he also begs of GOD to search and prove him, that he may now judge himself, and not at last be finally condemned, to have his doom with the impeniten and unbelieving.

Consideration will soon make way for conviction increasing conviction, both of criminality in conduc and depravity of heart; and this, even in respect those persons who have been more decent and ami: ble than many others. "I was," says the apostl "alive without the law once." While he had estim ted his own character, according to the notions a

traditions of the Pharisees, who only regarded the outward conduct; he thought his life good, his heart good, his state good. But during his three days solitary fasting and praying at Damascus, he had abundant opportunity for consideration: and "the com"mandment," ""the holy, just, and good law," came with power and conviction to his conscience; and then," sin revived and he died." He became deeply sensible, by viewing himself in this glass, that his life, his heart, his state were deplorably bad: and this prepared the way for his understanding and believing the gospel.

The convinced sinner hears "the wrath of Gon "revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and "unrighteousness of men;" and, instead of his previous favourable opinion of himself, he is ready to adopt the Psalmist's words, "Who can understand "his errors? Cleanse thou me from my secret sins." My sins are more in number than the hairs of my "head; my heart faileth me." When one, who was before careless and inconsiderate, is thus led to make this awful review, with the law of GoD open before him, and the judgment-seat in full prospect, he then judges himself, not only concerning gross crimes and immoralities; but he discovers in his whole conduct, base ingratitude to GoD and contemptuous forgetful. ness of him; idolatrous love of worldly objects; ta. lents entrusted and abused; time and life wasted, and worse than wasted; mischief, irretrievable mischief, done in various ways by his example and influence. Whether he looks back upon his life past, or towards the future reckoning; whether he looks into

1

his heart, or unto his GoD, he is amazed to think of his sins, and all the aggravations of them; he continually discovers evil where he before suspected none, nay, even in the virtues on which he prided himself; he daily weighs himself in the balance, and is always found wanting his best actions are defective; his motives are corrupt, at least, in part; and the more he studies the rule, the fuller is his conviction, that if judged according to it he must be condemned,-He now feels the propriety of the apostle's words "I "through the law am dead to the law :" "for by the "law is the knowledge of sin." And whatever was his former character among men, he adopts from his heart the publican's prayer, "GOD be merciful to ❝ me, a sinner !"

These convictions cannot be separated from fear, sorrow, and remorse: but if genuine, and produced by the influence of the HOLY SPIRIT, they will always be accompanied by a measure of hope in the mercy of God.

We may therefore state the next step in true repentance to be submission. "Submit yourselves to GOD." -We should not think that a disobedient child was really penitent, unless he submitted. The stubborn heart of man stands out against GoD, and perseveres both in excusing sin, and in repeating the offence. The stout-hearted will neither own his guilt, nor acknowledge the justice of the sentence denounced against him he is averse to be either taught or ruled by the LORD. Self-will, self-wisdom, and self-righteous pride, unite in opposition to unreserved sub. mission; and these principles of proud rebellion of

ten maintain much influence even under deep and distressing terrors and convictions.

But he, who is brought to real repentance, unreservedly submits to GOD, and is willing both to be taught and ruled by him. "Other lords," says he, "have had dominion over me; but by thee only will "I make mention of thy name." He especially becomes willing to be saved in any way, which the word of GOD prescribes. "LORD," says he, "what "wouldst thou have have me to do?" He submits to the righteousness of God; he owns that he is a sinner, deserving condemnation, and unable to save himself; and thus, a preparation is made, by a penitent state of heart, for his understanding the gospel, and most cordially embracing it. For, he now seeks mercy as mercy; he comes in the way which GOD has opened, as far as he understands it; and when it is explained to him more fully, it exactly answers all the desires of his heart. This indeed forms the connexion between true repentance and living faith. Every one who repents, pleads guilty, prays to be taught the way of salvation, welcomes the gospel, and thus learns to live by faith in the Son of GOD," to love the SAVIOUR, and to devote himself to his service.

Humiliation before GoD, is indeed implied under the term submission. It may, however, be advantageously considered as a distinct exercise of the penitent heart. How different were the views, in this respect, which St. Paul had of his own character, when he considered himself as "the chief of sinners;" as "less "than the least of all saints," and not "meet to be "called an apostle," to those which he had entertain