sight of God. True, it is very humiliating to be designated by the name of thieves and robbers : but, till we feel ourselves deserving of those opprobrious appellations in the sight of God, we shall never attain that contrite spirit which our state so justly demands. Methinks I hear one and another saying, like Hazael of old, " Is thy servant a dog, that he should do such things ? " Yes ; this is not what you will do, but what you have done : and it is only by pleading guilty to the charge, that you can ever obtain the remission of your sin.] Let me now address you, Brethren, 1 . In a way of indignant inquiry — [Will you continue thus to " rob God ? " As for denying the charge, it is in vain. You must fall under it. You must confess your guilt. You must humble yourselves for it in dust and ashes. If you plead for further indulgence in a way of sin, I ask, How much longer will you hold fast your wickedness ? and when will you consent to pay the Lord his dues ? Know assuredly, that your iniquity is all recorded in his book : and, when " a bill is sent to you of one hundred, it will be in vain for you to write fourscore." You must answer for your whole debt, and " be cast into prison, till you have paid the utmost farthing." Increase not, then, the awful account which you have to give : but surrender up yourselves to God without delay ; and devote to him all that you are, and all that you have. Less than this will not suffice : for " ye are not your own: you are bought with a price: and therefore you are bound to glorify God with your bodies and your spirits, which are God's*1."]
2. In a way of affectionate exhortation — [The charge here adduced against you reminds me of One, who says, " I restored that which I took not awaye." Those words, however they may be spoken of David in the first in- stance, are undoubtedly spoken of the Messiah, who redeemed our souls by his own obedience unto death. Yes, brethren, He, even the Lord Jesus Christ, has discharged our debt, and made perfect satisfaction to God for all the injury that he has sustained from us. Undertake not, then, to pay Jehovah from any funds of your own. To all eternity you would be unable to present to him an equivalent for the smallest sin. But you need not attempt it. In Christ you have " a propitiation not for your sins only, but also for the sins of the whole world. Go to him, therefore, as your Surety ; and plead with God all that He has done and suffered for you : then shall your sins be blotted out of the book of God's remembrance : and, though you owe him ten thousand talents, you " shall freely be forgiven all."]
d 1 Cor. vi. 20. e ps. lxix. 4.