[They " can never prosper." Temporal prosperity they may have as much as others : but in their souls they cannot prosper'^.
They cannot in this ivorld. They can have no peace with God or in their own consciences ; for God has said, " There is no peace to the wicked." They can have no victory over sin : for God will not interpose to deliver them from bonds, which they themselves are pleased with. They can have no delight in holy ordinances, either in the public assembly, or in their secret chamber. They may, like Ezekiel's hearers, be pleased with hearing a man that can play well upon an instrument^; but they can have no fellowship with God : for " what fellow- ship hath righteousness with unrighteousness, or light with dai'kness™ ?" They can have no bright and cheering prospects of the eternal world : for they have no evidence within them- selves of their acceptance with God, nor any " meetness for the inheritance of the saints in light."
Much less can they prosper in the ivorld to come. There the impenitent and unbelieving will meet their deserved re- compence. No joy awaits them there. They sought not mercy; and therefore they find it not: they came not weary and heavy laden unto Christ ; and therefore they have no part in the rest which he alone can give : they humbled not them- selves ; and therefore they can never be exalted.]
Let us now contemplate, on the other hand, II. The benefit of true penitence —
True repentance consists of two parts ; a confessing, and forsaking, of our sins —
[Confession is of absolute and indispensable necessity. We never can humble ourselves aright without it. Nor ought
g Hos. vii. 2. h Jer. viii. 6. • Jer. v. 12. ^ j^], xxxi. 33. • Ezek. xxxiii. 31, 32. "» 2 Cor. vi. 14.