3. To give encouragement to all future penitents to the end of time —
[The various events recorded in the Scriptures are not to be limited to the persons to whom they more immediately refer. Many judgments were inflicted, and many mercies vouchsafed, for the benefit of the Church in future ages : and " they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." We read of pardon being revealed to David the very instant that he confessed his heinous crime : and the improvement which he himself makes of that stu- pendous mercy, is; "For this shall every one that is godly make his prayer unto thee, in a time when thou mayest be found11." St.Paul also informs us of the "exceeding abundant grace shewn to him ;" and then adds, that he had been thus eminently distinguished by God for this reason ; " that God might shew forth in him all long suffering, for a pattern to them that should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting0." For the same end, it should seem, was Mary Magdalene thus highly favoured. Persons, who are conscious of having com- mitted enormous sins, are apt to think that they can never obtain mercy of the Lord: but our blessed Saviour would have them know, that " though our sins may have been as crimson, they shall be white as snow," and that he is never more willing to feast with us upon the fatted calf, than on our first return from a dissolute and abandoned life.]
Conclusion —
m Heb. vi. 10. " Ps. xxxii. 5,6. ° 1 Tim. i. 14, 16.
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