had " endured them with much long-suffering," even to that very day.
In fact, this same forbearance is yet exercised towards the heathen world, and on the very same account. Probably not so much as one-sixth part of the world has ever heard of the name of Jesus Christ : so that the times of ignorance yet con- tinue to a most fearful extent : and, if it were not that God's mercy is infinite, his judgments must, of necessity, have long since been poured forth, to overwhelm the whole world.
Perhaps it is somewhat of the same consideration which still operates on the mind of God to withhold his judgments, which at this moment hang, as it were, by a single thread, over the heads of millions amongst ourselves. He sees how ignorant they are ; and he yet bears with them, in the hope that they may yet " turn from their idols, to serve Him, the only true God."]
The Apostle, however, proceeds to state to his audience, II. The injunction now given —
[" God now commandeth all men everywhere to repent." He no longer leaves men to indulge their own vain reasonings and empty speculations. He has now revealed his will ; which he makesknown, not as a deduction from uncertain premises, or as a recommendation of doubtful expediency, but with an authority that supersedes all reasoning, and a plainness that dispels all doubt. Nor does he address this revelation to the followers of any one particular sect, as the philosophers did their injunctions: no; " he commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent." This was the very scope of his Gospel, as intro- duced by John the Baptist and our blessed Lord; " Repent; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand :" and it is also the sub- stance of the Gospel, as committed afterwards to his Apostles, who were ordered to " preach repentance and remission of sins, in his name, unto all nations V Accordingly, on the day of Pentecost, the address of Peter to his audience was, " Repent, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted outc." In fact, " repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ," comprehend all that we have to deliver at this day ; and, as ambassadors from God, we do inculcate them, as authoritatively enjoined by God himself, and as indis- pensably necessary for every child of man d ]
Having stated God's command, the Apostle proceeds to shew,
b Luke xxiv. 47. c Acts iii. 10.
d The nature of true Evangelical repentance may be here opened.