[Some possibly may be led to question whether this sub- ject be properly addressed to them : since, having never cru- cified Christ, as the Jews did, they need not " repent ;" and having been " baptized in the name of Christ," they have " received the remission of their sins," and " the gift of the Holy Ghost :" they have also been taught in their catechism, " What they must do to be saved ;" and therefore need not, like those in our text, to make that inquiry.
But who amongst us has not " crucified the Son of God afresh," by a continuance in sin? Who has not, in numberless instances, done what he ought not, and left undone what he ought to have done ? Consequently, we need to repent as much
as they and need also, as much as they, to apply to
Christ for the remission of our sins Moreover, let any
man look at his indwelling corruptions, and say, whether he do not need the influences of the Spirit, to mortify and subdue them : let him also look at his duties, and say, whether he do not need the Spirit to strengthen him for a more suitable per- formance of them Brethren, the name of Christians,
or a form of godliness, will profit us little. Religion must be taken up by us, as it was by those Jews, as a matter of infinite importance, and of indispensable necessity. Like them we must be humbled ; like them must we flee to Christ for mercy : like them must we become his faithful followers. Let all of us then " look to Him, as pierced" for our sins ; and expect from him that divine Comforter, who " shall teach us all things, and work in us as effectually for our salvation, as he wrought in Christ for his exaltation to glory1."]
j Eph. i. 19—21.