long ago, and imagine that they are effaced from God's memory as well as from our own: but every action, word, and thought, is noted in the book of his remembrance. He sees the trans- actions of former years as if they had this moment passed. All our iniquities are viewed by him in one accumulated mass ; nor does he abhor them less than in the very instant they were committed. Let us not then pass them over, or palliate them, as youthful follies. Let us remember how exactly the Lord's threatenings were executed on the Israelites in the wilder- nessr; and endeavour to avert his judgments while space for repentance is allowed us. Let us mourn over our innumerable violations of our baptismal covenant. Let us lament our soli- citude about a present portion, our aversion to fight the Lord's battles, and our indifference about the heavenly Canaan. We must repent of these things, or lie under the guilt of them for evers.]
2. How thankful should we be that a way of escape is provided for us !
[It is not sin lamented, but sin unrepented of, which will find us out. There is a city of refuge provided for those who will flee to it4. The man, Christ Jesus, is an hiding-place from the impending storm u. If we flee to him, we may be sure that sin shall not find us out. Every perfection of the Deity is pledged to save a believing penitent x. We are confirmed in this hope by the most positive declarations of Scripture^. We have most authentic and astonishing instances of sin forgiven2; and the day of judgment is appointed no less for the complete justification of believers than for the condemnation of unbe- lieversa. Let this blessed assurance then dwell richly on our minds. Let it encourage us to take refuge under the Saviour's wings b. Let an holy confidence inspire those who have com- mitted their souls to himc. And let all rejoice and glory in him as able to save them to the uttermost d.]
r Numb, xxxii. 10 — 13. s Ps. 1. 21. Luke xiii. 3.
1 Heb. vi. 18. u Isai. xxxii. 2.
x 1 Johni. 9. ylsai. xliv. 22. Mic. vii. 19. Heb. viii. 12.
z 2 Sam. xii. 13. Luke vii. 47. and xxiii. 43. a 2 Thess. i. 9, 10.
b Matt, xxiii. 37. c 2 Tim. i. 12. * Heb. vii. 25.