the bitterness of sin ; and would gladly, if possible, root it out of their own hearts, and prevent its continuance in the world. Hence, so far as they could by this act effectuate that holy purpose, they determined to do it. At all events, they saw that this sacrifice would glorify their Lord and Master : and evince, to all who beheld it, that nothing hostile to his intei and his honour should be suffered to exist.]
From this slight sketch of the power of the Gospel, we may see,
II. What effects it may well be expected to produce on us also — Its effects are uniform in every age and every place'- : in every soul where it gains a due ascendant, it will produce, so far as circumstances will admit of it, the same feelings in reference to sin ; — the same feelings, I say,
1. Of shame and sorrow —
[The true penitent will call to mind the evils he has com- mitted, and will be ready to " confess them" before God and man. The things which once contributed to the advancement of his reputation and interests in the world he will now be ready to paint in their true colours, and to take shame to himself on account of them. There is scarcely any sin which is not extenuated by some specious appellation, if not dignified also by some honourable name. But the true convert views every thing in its reference to eternity. He tries his ways by the standard of God's word, and judges himself as he will be judged at the last day. Nor will he now be afraid to bear his testimony before all men, both by word and deed, that God alone is to be served, and that every thing contrary to His will is to be abandoned. He will not plead for sin of any kind, however fashionable, however gainful, however pleasant : he will endeavour to destroy it, root and branch ; "not retaining a right hand or a right eye," that may by any means displease his God, or prove a snare to his own soule.]
2. Of indignation and abhorrence —
[This, in particular, was evinced by the people at Ephesus, and is pre-eminently characteristic of real penitence. See it in the Corinthian Church, when they were made sorry after a godly manner: " Behold this self-same thing, that ye sor- rowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you ; yea, what clearing of yourselves ; yea, what indignation ; yea,
* Col. i. 6. e Matt. v. 29, 30.