sensible of our transgressions, and were humbled before God on account of them ! To hope for mercy without deep contrition is in vain. We might as well hope that God should cease to exist: for whilst he continues a holy Being, he never can behold but with anger an impenitent transgressor. He tells us plainly, that, "except we repent, we must all perishf;" and it is " the broken and contrite heart alone that he will not utterly despise g."]
2. To flee to the Lord Jesus Christ for refuge — [Christ is the city of refuge appointed for sinful man : and
to him must every human being flee, if ever he would escape the sword of Divine vengeance. As for repentance, though it be necessary to prepare the soul for pardon, it can never of itself obtain pardon. Whole rivers of tears could never wash away so much as one single sin. Nothing but that which satisfied Divine justice can ever obtain for us the remission of
any sin whatever Indeed, Brethren, " no man can
come unto the Father but by Christ :" " nor is there any name given under heaven but his, whereby any man can be saved." Bring then your sins to Christ, and lay them upon his sacred head, as the high-priest laid the sins of all Israel on the head of the scape-goat. Take also to yourselves his perfect right- eousness, that in that you may " stand before God without spot or blemish." In that way you may hope for acceptance with a holy God : but in no other way shall any soul of man come up with acceptance before him ]
3. To implore of God the sanctifying influences of his Holy Spirit —
[To your latest hour will you find, that, in some respect or other, " the law of sin which is in your members will pre- vail over the better law of your minds," and bring defilement on your souls. In truth, if you be not upheld continually by the Spirit of God, there is not any sin into which you may not relapse. Your own wisdom will not suffice to keep you from temptation ; nor will your own strength suffice to preserve you from falling by it. A new-born infant does not more need to be carried in its mother's arms, than you do to be upheld continually by the Spirit of the Living God. Be earnest, then, in crying to God for help : for it is through the Spirit alone that you can mortify the deeds of the body, or bring forth the fruits of righteousness to the honour of your God. And do not presume on God's past mercy to you : for it is an unalterable truth, that " God cannot behold evil :" and, " if you indulge iniquity in your heart, God neither will, nor can, regard you." To be accepted of him, " you must be holy, even as he is holy."]
f Luke xiii. 5. s Ps. li. 17.