In this view of our subject, I would call your atten- tion to the following obvious and salutary reflections — -
1. How deeply to be pitied are the blind impeni- tent world !
[They will not believe that God is angry with them, or that they have any need to dread his displeasure : and, if we attempt to convince them of their danger, they account us no better than gloomy enthusiasts. But, whether they will beheve it or not, God's eye is upon them for evil ; and if they turn not to him in penitence and faith, they shall ere long feel the weight of his avenging arm. Who that should see a multitude of persons enclosed, like Baal's priests, and uncon- scious of their impending fate, would not pity them? Yet here are millions of immortal souls soon to be summoned into the presence of their Judge, and setting at defiance the doom that speedily awaits them : should not " rivers of tears run
q Ps. vi. 6. r Ps. cxxvi. 5. « Isai. Ixi. 3.
t Isai. xlv. 21. "1 John i. 9. ''I John i. 7.
y John vi. 37. ^ Isai. i. 18.
down our eyes for them^V Yes, verily: as our Lord wept over Jerusalem in the view of the destruction that awaited it, and as the Apostle Paul had " great heaviness and continual sorrow in his heart" on account of his unbelieving brethren^, so should we mourn bitterly for those who wall not mourn and be in bitterness for themselves.]
2. How richly to be congratulated is the weeping penitent !
[His carnal friends perhaps pity him for his weakness, or deride him for- his folly. But the angels around the throne are of a very different mind : they, even in the presence of God himself, have an augmentation of their joy from one single spectacle like this'^: and God himself is not so intent on the heavenly hosts, but that he spies out such a poor object as this, and looks upon him with complacency and delight*^. Is there, then, here present one weeping penitent ? I congratu- late him, from my inmost soul. My Brother! crowns and kingdoms are of no value in comparison of the blessing con- ferred on thee. Be content to go on weeping, as long as God shall see fit to keep thee in that state of discipline : but know, that "joy is sown for thee ;" and that, in due season, it shall spring up to an abundant harvest : for thus saith the Lord : " He that goeth on his way and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringmg his sheaves with him®."]
3. What praises and thanksgivings are due from the pardoned sinner !
[At present you can have but little conception of the bless- ings conferred upon you : for you cannot see one thousandth part of your guilt, or conceive one thousandth part of the glory that awaits you : and still less can you comprehend the won- ders of love and mercy that have been vouchsafed to you in the gift of God's only dear Son for your redemption. What indeed you do already know, is abundantly sufficient to fill your souls with unutterable joy, and your lips with incessant praise. But what will be your feelings at the instant of the departvu-e of yovu- soul from this earthly tabernacle, and of its admission into the presence of your God ? Then you will see somewhat of the depth of misery from wliich you have been redeemed, and of the height of glory to which you are exalted ; and will behold your Redeemer face to face ; and join in all the songs of the redeemed : and look forward to eternity as the duration of yom- bliss. Surely these things should be ever on your minds : they should make you to be " looking for, and
a Ps. cxix. 136. b Rom. ix. 2. « Luke xv. 10.