and all the hidden abominations which are indulged in their hearts: and yet he bears with us, and waits to be gracious to every returning penitent. O let us be sensible of our obliga- tions to him, and " let his goodness lead us to repentance k."
Nor shall we be less struck with the erroneousness of the judgment which many form of their state before him. Many judge of themselves only by their acts, whilst in their hearts, if they would but watch the motions of them, they might find abominations without number. Well does Solomon say, " There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, but are not washed from their filthiness V But let it be remembered that an angry thought is murder, and an impure look adultery, and the only coutention amongst us will be, who shall take the lowest place.
Nearly connected with this is the thought of the awful dis- closures which will be made in the day of judgment. If we look back only upon our own lives we shall see enough to fill us with shame and confusion of face: What then will be the feelings of the whole assembled universe, when the thoughts of all hearts shall be disclosed, and the whole aggregate of ini- quity that has ever been either acted or conceived be made to appear in one collective mass ! Ah ! the whited sepulchres that will then be opened, and the lothesome abominations that will be exposed to view ! In those indeed who have obtained mercy of the Lord, the exposure will only call forth songs of praise and thanksgiving : but to those who have died in their sins, the anguish will be inconceivable : and glad would they be if rocks or mountains could fall upon them, to hide them from the shame with which they will be overwhelmed"1.]
2. In a way of more particular address —
[Tremble, my beloved brethren, for your past sins : for not one shall be concealed in that day, unless indeed through the tender mercy of our God it have been blotted out of the book
of God's remembrance The evil of our thoughts, no less
than of our acts, must be accounted for". Wash too in the fountain of the Redeemer s blood. If so much as one sin be left for you to answer for, it were better for you that you had never been born. Nor ever imagine that the tears of peni- tence can wash away sin : there is no fountain for you but that which was once opened on the cross for sin and for un- cleanness. It is the blood of Christ alone that can cleanse from sin : but " that can cleanse from all sin." At the same time guard against the incursion of sin in future, even in thought. Already are our sins more in number than the sands upon the sea-shore ; and shall we yet be adding to the mighty load ?
k Rom. ii. 4. l Prov. xxx. 12.
m Dan. xii. 2. n Acts viii. 22.