of a sinner, but rather that he should turn from his wicked- ness and live." But he is a holy God ; nor will his Spirit " always strive with man." He may be provoked at last to " swear in his wrath that you shall never enter into his rest." This he most assuredly does with respect to many, who " grieve his Spirit" till they have altogether " quenched" his sacred motions. " To-day therefore, while it is called to-day, harden not your hearts," " lest he tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver."]
3. Think what regret you will feel, when that sal- vation, which is now so near you, shall be removed to an unapproachable distance —
[Of all the miseries that can afflict a soul in the future world, we cannot conceive any more distressing than the thought of having had a Saviour provided for us, and salvation through him offered to us. No words can express the sense which a self-ruined sinner will have of his folly, when he sees in one view the mercies he has slighted and the judgments he has brought upon himself. Now he can be " far from righteous- ness," and glory in his shame : but then he will see that, which even courted his embraces here, removed afar off indeed ; so far, as to preclude a possibility of ever attaining the possession of it. The Lord grant, that they who have hitherto slighted these overtures of mercy, may now embrace them with their whole hearts !]