Let our prayers ascend with such a degree of faith as may entitle us to come unto God by believing that he is, and that he is a rewarder of all such as call upon him faithfully. Let us not render ourselves disqualified for his mercies, by entertaining any doubt that he will extend them even to us. Let us conclude that the humble spirit which acknowledges its weakness, and seeks for strength in the Lord of armies, shall never be disappointed of assistance or of

grace.

Let us remember that the Father of mercies is always more ready to hear than we to pray, and that he is, indeed, wont to give more than we can possibly deserve. It would be endless to enumerate the many passages in the holy Scriptures that contain the gracious promises of reconciliation to returning sinners. The all-merciful God will in no wise cast out such as come unto him. Those that seek shall find, and to those that knock it shall be opened. He who spared not his own Son, shall he not with him freely give us all things?

Such gracious encouragement have we on the part of God; an encouragement which must for ever enhance the guilt of obstinate and impenitent wickedness. Were the Almighty represented to us as a severe Being, as

hard to be entreated, irascible and revengeful, we might have some excuse for our fear, though none for our folly; but surely to neglect the kindness, the indulgence of the Supreme mercy, must be the highest aggravation of daring impiety.

In the solemn act of humiliation before God, let us remember chiefly to consider the vast distance between fallen man and his Creator. That thought will work in us an humble frame of mind, and an awful reverence of the Father of spirits.

When we consider that the eye of that immortal Being, whose favour`and forgiveness we solicit, is upon us—that the Almighty is, in presence, witness to our thoughts, it must unavoidably affect us with the most solemn sentiments. This consideration ought, indeed, to be present with us on every occasion, but most particularly during the sacrifice of penitential prayer.

He who reflects that the all-seeing eye of Heaven is conscious of every thought, and can pierce the inmost recesses of the soul, will not only be humble in his deportment, but sincere in his intentions; and, when he is lifting up his hands towards God, if iniquity be in them, will put it far away.

SERMON XVII.

THE DOCTRINE OF REPENTANCE.

JOB Xi. 13, 14.

If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thy hands towards him; if iniquity be in thy hands, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.

III. IN the act of repentance, let it ever be remembered that the essential part of it is the relinquishment of sin. This, certainly, is the only end that can make it acceptable to a Being who is divinely and perfectly reasonable. For can we be so stupid as to suppose, with absurd monastics, that the Almighty is to be gratified by penal austerities? Shall we blaspheme his honour, and disparage his attributes with the rites of Moloch? Shall we believe that he delights in the sacrifice of groans and scourgings, that he rejoices in the meagre aspect of mortified melancholy, or

exults like envy over prostrate wretchedness? How long shall we confine religion to forms, and forget the substance of it? When shall we give the credit due to the Apostle, who tells us, that pure religion and undefiled before God is, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep ourselves unspotted of the world.

Thus, in consequence of our repentance, a negative goodness is not alone sufficient. It is not enough merely, if iniquity be in our hands, to put it far away, nor shall we have fully discharged our duty, by keeping ourselves unspotted of the world. The task of active virtue remains to be performed, and the performance thereof is certainly a more acceptable atonement than all sacrifices and oblations of whatever denomination.

Let the pious craft of conventual superstition teach that crimes are to be expiated by religious dedications, and by munificence idly employed in enriching the retreats of holy indolence. Let them inspire their deluded followers with the vain confidence, that their sins may be absolved by church-gratuities and insignificant penances: thanks to the kindness and the care of Providence, we have shaken off those yokes that fetter the understanding. Holding fast the liberty with which

Christ hath made us free, we dare to think out of the channel of churchmen, and to enquire what modes of duty a reasonable Being must expect from his creatures.

We know (for reason assents while revelation teaches) what kind of worship ought to be paid to that intellectual Providence who requireth truth in the inward parts.

For

We are sensible, we are naturally conscious, that forms and ceremonies have no merit with HIM; that he regardeth not the labour of the lips; and that no mode of repentance can be agreeable to him, which does not finally influence the conduct of our lives. As the im mediate Governor of the universe, it can only be to his purpose that our morals are im proved, and that we are more beneficial to ourselves and to our fellow-creatures. these ends, undoubtedly, it was, that religion was instituted, and that the sense of divine sanctions was impressed upon the mind. What is it to a Being infinitely happy and secure in his own perfections, whether so low a creature as man should regard him with reverence, or be ignorant of his existence? From the same benevolent motives that he gave us life, he gave us laws for the regulation of it; that we should not wander in the blindness of our mind, nor look for happiness out