brother, as at his hands. But since we cannot absolutely affirm that this is the sense of our text, we are contented to call it an accommodated sense ; more especially because, in this latter sense, we con- sider God as the offended party, no less than the Judge who takes cognizance of the offence. Let not this, however, be thought a great liberty, because HE is really the offended party, whether our trans- gression be immediately against man or not ; and, as we have observed, he will bring ever?/ work into judg- ment, whomsoever it might affect in the first instance. With this apology we shall consider our text as prescribing a rule of conduct for us towards God no less than towards our fellow-creatures : and this we may well do ; for,
1. Our duty is the same
[We have all offended God, and that in instances without number. To humble ourselves before him is our bounden duty. This would be our duty, though no means of reconciliation had been provided for us : but when God has sent his only-begotten Son to make an atonement for our sins, that so we might be brought into a state of reconciliation with him in a way con- sistent with the honour of his law and of his moral government, we should be inexcusable indeed if we should dela}' to seek him one single moment. The ingratitude which such conduct would argue, would aggravate our past offences beyond mea- sure ]
2. The reasons for it are the same —
[" We are yet in the way with him." Though we are hastening to the judgment-seat of Christ, we are not yet arrived there : and there is yet time for reconciliation with our offended
God This time however will be very short ; how short
we know not : we are advancing towards his tribunal every day
and hour — ■ But, if once the matter is brought before
the Judge, all hope of mercy and forgiveness will be past : jus- tice must then be dispensed according to the strict letter of the
law The sentence that will then be decreed will be
unalterably fixed for ever : so far from " paying the last far- thing" of our debt, we shall never be able to pay one farthing: and consequently must endure the penalty of our sins for ever and ever. Who can reflect on the awfulness of that prison,
and yet continue one hour in an unreconciled state ?
Consider the solemnity with which our Lord warns us against