then, since Goel is waiting and willing to be ii;racioue, let not the sinner ignore that good- neBB, nor rcgarcl it with ineeneibility, nor trample underfoot his great mercy, nor treat his gracious uvertures aa the idle wind that paaeeth by; but allow himself to be led by the goodness of God to repentance. V. 'l'HE MODE O'JI' RETURNING TO Go». We are to take with 1111 w,ml8, as the worshipper in the olden time did not go empty-handed, but brought with him an offering when he went to worship God. 1. The words we are required to briog are worda of C011/esli<m, like the poor prodigal when he said," Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son; " like the contrite publican when he cried," God be merciful to me a 1inner." If we thus confess our sins, he" is faithful and jl18t to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse 118 from all unrighteona- neas." 2, There must be petition as well as confession; our words must be words of earnest pleading. Nor are we left without instruction on this head; suitable petitions are suggested, and the very words put in our lips. There is, according to the Authorized Version, a petition for forgiveness and one for favour. The former i.R, "Take away all iniquity;" for it is iniquity that has wrought our ruin, it is sin that is the source of all our sorrows; take it away, for by it we have fallen. Take it all away-the guilt of it, the defilement of it, the dominion of it, the love of it, and the practice of it. Take it all away and/or ever, for it is only thus we can be saved; only thUB our souls are washed and justified and sanctified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. The eecond part of the petition pleads for favour; it is, "Receive 118 graciously;" that is, receive 118 into thy favour, thy family, and thy service. Receive WI graciou;ily, that is, gratuitously, of thy free favour and sovereign grace; noi on the ground of innocence, for- " Not in our innocence we trust- We bow before thee in the rlUBt; Aud through oar Saviour's blood a.lone We seek acceptance at thy throne." Not on the ground of merit, for we have sinned and merit only wrath; not on the ground of price, for we have nothing to pay- " Nothing in oar hand we bring, Simply to thy cross we cling." Not on the ground of works, for we are saved solely of the Divine mercy, according to the riches of his grace in Christ Jesus. 3. There are words of thanksgiving. The calves, even the lips, are the thank offerings and service of the lips in general; nor do these differ aught from the fruit of the lips. Thanksgiving, praise, prayer, self-dedica- tion, and self-surrender are all expressed by the lips, and are thus their offerings or their fruit. "Nay, rather unto me, thy God, Thanksgiving oifer thou; To the Most High perform thy word, And fully pay thy vow : And in the day of thy distreB1 Do thou unto me cry; I will deliver thee, and thou My Name she.It glorify." VI. FRUITS MEET FOR BF.PENTANCE. These in the present instance consist In the complete rejection of carnal confiJences aud sole dependence on God. The penitent Israelite renounces all confiJence in worldly policy, and worldly allies as securetl by such policy-the Assyrian and the Egyptian alike. He renounces his idolatrous practices and superstitious devotions; and, depending no longer on foreign help, or objects and obse!"'ances ?f. idol-worship, or domestic resources,_ he places his entire and undivided trust 1n the hvmg God. Henceforth the rule of his conduct and motto of his life 01ay be conceived as summed up in the words of the psalmist: "Sums trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the Name of the Lord our God." It has been well said that "there is no sin more usual amon~ men than ea.ma! confi- 438 THE BOOK OF HOSEA. (on. xiv. 1-9.
dence; to lean on_ our own wisdom, or wealth, or power, or 1111ppllee from others; to deify counsels and armies, or horses and trcnsUl'es, and t.o let our bearts tiee or fall, sink or bear up within ue, e.ccordiug as the creature is helpful or nseless, nenrer or further from us; as if God were not a God afar off, as well as near at hand." This '1'9'ae one of Israel's grest sins, and which on repentance is renounced. This is a common sin, and one which all must renounce, trusting, not in an arm of flesh, but sanctifying the Lord alone in our hearts. It is :Wh~n we feel our conditi~n In this world to be one of orphanage, of weakness, dest1tut1on, desolateness, and distress, that we repose trustfully and securely in the Divine mercy and gracious fatherhood of God.