we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries.

2. Although repentance be chiefly employed to denote that change which takes place at the first conversion of the sinner unto God, yet it is not confined to that, nor can it be considered as finished when that is accomplished. Repentance is that divine seed which abideth in the christian, and which bringeth forth fruit by influencing his whole character and conduct. Indeed, those who are truly sensible of the corruption of their own hearts, will find, that they, daily, stand in need of repentance. They cannot, it is true, stand in need of it in the sense in which they first repented (for it is impossible that those who have tasted of the heavenly gift should fall away); but, in this imperfect state of things, where they are liable to so many failings through the temptations which surprise them to sin, through remaining ignorance, and through the infirmities which compass them about; they ought continually, by an impartial self-examination, to find out these feelings, to regret them hum

bly, and to set themselves in opposition to them still aspiring to higher measures of perfection; or, as the apostle Paul speaks,

66

66

leaving those things which are behind, and

reaching forth to those things which are "before."

3. Repentance is a duty which, from its very nature, cannot be delayed. For, as it includes a thorough change of heart, and a return to the practice of obedience, the longer it is put off, the less perfect must it necessarily be. And if it be postponed to the bed of death, it will be entirely unavailing. Sorrow of the heart, confessions of sin, and purposes of amendment, (which are the common resources of that spirit who is, soon, to stand, unembodied, before his God) are but a small part of repentance, and are very far from rendering it complete. This ruinous system of delay is the most common and the most fatal mistake into which it is possible to fall.

There is not

a man upon the earth who is entirely devoid of a sense of religion, and who purposes not, one day or another, to work out his salvation. All men, however loose in their principles, however profligate in their lives, intend not to continue always so. They are resolved, at

some convenient season, to amend their lives let them but indulge in sin and pleasure today, and to-morrow they will bid them an eternal adieu. But it is to-morrow, and tomorrow, and to-morrow, till their feet stumble on the dark mountains, and the shadows of the everlasting evening encompass them about. Death shuts up the scene; the term of their probation is finished; the day of salvation is over, and they are not saved.

This errour is not confined to the inexperience of early life, when the hope of length of days might lead us to think, that, there is, yet, sufficient time to repent; it is equally strong in riper years, and we hasten not more to repent, even when bending over the tomb. The same lying spirit which deceived us at twenty, continues to speak peace at threescore and ten years. Very different from this was the conduct of that young man whose return to virtue has given rise to this discourse. When he came to a better mind, and saw his real situation, he did not sit down to weep and lament at the wretchedness of his condition, but, instantly, came to this determination, "I will "arise and go to my father." Neither did he let his religion evaporate in empty resolutions;

he started no objections, and made no delays, but straightway "arose and came to his father."

What are the causes of your delay? Are you ashamed to repent? You have indeed good reason to be ashamed of your crimes, and of having so long persisted in them; but never blush for returning to virtue. It indicates more true greatness of soul to confess your faults, and return to your duty, than never to have transgressed. Are you afraid of the ridicule and contempt of your companions? Do you dread the malice and reproaches of an illjudging world? Do you suppose that those sins which are blotted out of the book of God's remembrance are not forgotten by them ?With these things, perhaps, you will meet in your return to duty. But what think you of the opinion of God, who is also the witness of your actions, and who will soon be the judge and rewarder of your conduct? What think you of the love and approbation of every good man? What think you of the desires of the just made perfect, who are eager to enrol you among the number of the blessed? What think you of the applauses of angels and of archangels who are waiting to break out into new allelujahs of joy on your return ?

Do you think that the work of repentance is difficult, and cannot be accomplished without much pain and sorrow of heart? It is difficult. It will cost you much labour and many a pang. But will it become easier by being delayed? If you persist in iniquity; if you allow your passions to take root, and your evil habits to gather strength, then, indeed, repentance will not only be difficult, but almost impossible. To forsake your sins, and return unto God will be as the cutting off of a right hand, or the plucking out of a right eye.The present, then, is the most proper time for repentance. It is less difficult now, than it will be at any future period. Now is the accepted time, and now is the day of salvation. The God of mercy and compassion is ready to receive you. The Spirit helpeth your infirmities. Make haste, therefore, to draw near unto God. You stand upon a precipice; the carth moulders under your feet: fly, or you are lost for ever.

Lastly, to excite you farther to the practice of this duty, and to give weight to every thing which has been said, let me remind you, that, God hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness by that man