one consider, what has been done to expiate sin. Go, sinner, to Gethsemane, go to Calvary, and contemplate the agonies and death of your incarnate God ; and then say, Whether sin be not a tremendous evil, for which no sighs or tears can ever be sufficient? But, without extending our thoughts to sub- jects so much beyond our reach, let us only observe what have been the feelings of persons when once they were brought to a just sense of their sins : let us hear the bitter lamentations of Peter, or the heart-rending cries of the converts on the day of Pentecost ; and we shall no longer doubt what ought to be our views of sin, by whomsoever it may have been committed, whether by ourselves or others. Sure we are, that in the last day there will be no diversity of sentiment respecting this: the glorified saints, and the condemned sinners, will have but one view of this matter, O that now, even now, the judgment of every one amongst us might be rectified ; and that, before another day, God might see reason to set his mark upon us, as " mourners in Zion !"]
2. To those who answer to the character described in our text —
[Persons who sigh and cry on account of sin, are apt to yield too much to desponding fears. But they have in reality abundant cause for joy and gratitude : for if, on the one hand, they be greatly burthened on account of sin, they have, on the other hand, reason to rejoice that sin is their burthen. Instead of being in so deplorable a state as they imagine, they are in a state most pleasing to God, and most profitable to them- selves. So pleased is God with those " who are poor and of a contrite spirit," that his eyes are fixed upon them with the utmost complacency and delight q: and the Lord Jesus, the Judge of quick and dead, repeatedly declares them blessed r. Let not any one therefore be dejected because of the depths of depravity which he sees within him ; but let him rather con- clude, that God has discovered to him these hidden abomina- tions ; and let him beg of God to give him a clearer and fuller insight into them; that so his humiliation may be more deep, his faith more simple, his gratitude more lively, and his de- votedness to God more entire. Nor let any one be afraid of seeing thus the corruptions of his heart : for, if only our self- knowledge drive us to Christ, and endear him to our souls, it will prove a source of every virtue ; of contrition, of fear, of dependence on Christ, of love to his name, and of zeal for his glory. A sense of our necessities will make us cry unto him for the gift of his Spirit ; and by that Spirit we shall be " sealed unto the day of redemption," and " rendered meet for our heavenly inheritance."
(i Isai. lxvi. 2. r Matt. v. 3, 4.