ject but to cast in the shade the beauties of truth? That apathy follows neglect? And that the heart, long accustomed to the reign of iniquity, is at length content to relinquish all its moral energies, and finally to seek its fatal refuge in the very jaws of destruction? That, continuing to travel in the way of darkness, we contract an increasing distaste for that of light? And that, morally speaking, it would be as easy to change the spots of the leopard, as for old habits to yield to the influence of new principles ?

But let us appeal to the test of experience: You are resolved to repent; but not yet. Some forbidden object still ensnares the heart

-some fatal delusion still enchains the powers of the soul; and yet you say, that at some future day, you will apply yourselves to that reformation of conduct, that renovation of character, which God demands. If the shackles which prove such a barrier to repentance cannot now be thrown off, think you that you will be able to surmount their difficulties when they shall have increased under time, and have become cemented by age? Let experience speak. You behold those around you in the world, who, like yourselves, have been, and still are, living upon resolves. Ask

them if they never mean to repent, and they will tell you, that to-morrow shall be the happy season to which they have looked forward with so much pleasure; when they will forsake the error of their ways, and give themselves up to the service of that gracious Being, who has so long regarded them with merciful forbearance. To-morrow comes; but, alas! it brings with it no tears of penitence-no smiles of transforming Grace. Tomorrow comes, and the heart still seeks refuge in delay-still shelters itself under the covert of delusion. To-morrow comes, and the prospect of repentance is no more promising than to-day. Nay, it is worse: it brings with it an increase of sin, and the strength of habit still more confirmed. Thus does the delay of this important duty increase the difficulty of its execution. Thus, to spend day after day, and season after season, still resolving, and never performing, is but indirectly determining never to repent.

II. If, indeed, the difficulties of repentance are increased by delay, surely the present is the most proper season for entering upon the practice of this evangelical virtue. The present is the most fit time to repent, whether we are sure of a future opportunity or not,

You are now, my friends, in the enjoyment. of your faculties; you are now convinced that it is your duty to repent; you are now resolved that, at some future, convenient season, you will fulfil this duty. Let me ask you, if the same obligations to repentance, which you expect to influence you hereafter, do not now exist? You stand in the same relations, natural and moral, towards God, this day, that

you will on to-morrow. It is as much your duty now to render him obedience as it will be then. Futurity bears the same character that it ever will; and the provisions of divine Grace are as completely ready for your assistance at this moment as they will be at any period hereafter. Why, then, do you delay this duty? Why not make the present, a season so favorable for your gracious visitation, the time for putting into execution the noble resolve? Is it that you expect to acquire more strength, more fortitude, more firmness; when you know, assuredly, that the reverse will be the case? Think Think you that God will be more propitious in proportion to your abuse of his Grace; and that he will be the more disposed, in proportion to the aggravation of your offences, to snatch

you as

brands from the burning?. O! shameful

abuse of heavenly forbearance! How absurd are the conclusions; how inconsistent the conduct of deluded man! Happiness and glory are offered unto him; but he refuses to secure heir future possession. Misery and woe are threatening to envelope him ; and he refuses to fly out of their reach. Like some vain and adventurous mariner, who, in a moment of danger, will not enter a haven of safety, merely that he might ascertain whether or not he may be able to outride the storm; o the impenitent, with eternal interests a stake, having nothing to gain, and every thing to lose, still pauses, still delays, with unparalelled temerity.

"Seck first the kingdom of God," said our Saviour. But how different is the conduct of those who, still impenitent, and refusing to make this the day of their salvation, still determine, still resolve, with all the fruitless consequences of sinful negligence, on future amendment. Alas! you know nothing of future time. The present only is yours. Improve, then, the moments as they fly; for now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation; this is the season of Grace; and the present only is the time which Heaven allows for your repentance. Secure this, and

all will be well. Neglect it, and immediately you cast yourselves upon the bosom of a boundless ocean, filled with rocks and shoals, and forever agitated by destructive storms. Leave this sacred temple, untouched by the influence of truth, unaffected by the power of the Gospel; and you enter again into a world, where folly and madness too much abound. Dangers will molest you on every side; shares will overspread your way, and pit-falls will threaten you at every step. Your path through life may be strown with many flower: but remember, that the serpent delights to lurk under the most grateful foliage; and that the most delightful repast may partake of the most deadly poison.

III. In the third place, I beseech you to reflect, that by thus continuing to delay your repentance, you may finally place it beyond your power.

"The night cometh when no man can work." Did we hold our future days by any absolute and infallible tenure; were we capable of exercising an uninterrupted and sovereign control over our own faculties and powers; then would it not be so absurd in us to continue postponing that, the execution of which is so necessary to our happiness. But