sin of which they were repenting, or be drawn aside again to any similar enormity. They "vehemently desired" pardon of God for their past transgression, and grace, that they might be enabled to act with more consistency in future. They were animated in this with a " zeal" which nothing could damp, and with a " revenge" which determined them neither to spare the public offender, nor the evil dispositions of their own hearts. And do we not see in them the character of every true penitent? In all who truly repent, there will be an humble " fear" of falHng again under the power of those lusts
which formerly led them captive a "vehement desire"
to serve, to enjoy, to glorify their God a " zeal,"
which enables them to set their faces as a flint against the
whole world and a "revenge" that determines them
to sacrifice their bosom lusts, though dear as a right eye, or
useful as a right hand
The Apostle further notices the " carefulness " with which the Corinthians exerted themselves to avoid every thing in future which might turn them aside from the path of duty. What word can more fitly characterize the disposition of a penitent in reference to his future conduct? Once he could walk at large, without taking any heed to his ways ; but now he inquires whether the action be pleasing to God or not : he watches over the motives and principles by which he is actuated : he considers what may be the consequences of his actions both to himself and others : he is solicitous to avoid not only what is in itself evil, but whatever may be the means and occasion of evil. Hence he will not readily expose himself to temptation : he keeps at a distance from those amusements, and those companions that have formerly ensnared him : and he begs of God to guide his every step, and to " preserve him blameless unto his heavenly kingdom,"]
We CONCLUDE with inquiring whether the commen- dation bestowed on the Corinthians in the text, can with propriety be applied to us ? [" Have "WE in all things approved ourselves to he clear in this matter V We ask not, whether we have had any repent- ance at all or not, (though perhaps there are many amongst us that have had no concern for their past sins, and that feel no anxiety about their eternal salvation): but we ask, whether we have had any other sorrow for sin, than such as will spring from worldly principles, and consist with a worldly mind ?
Let us inquire whether our sorrow be of an unbelieving, desponding, nature, that is little else than slavish fear; or whether it be of an ingenuous kind, that leads us to rely on Christ in the exercise of an humble hope, and fervent love ?