immediate-nor even of eternal punishment, that his heart faileth him, but it is because he knows what sin really isbecause he perceives it to be that which offends and dishonours God-and pollutes and degrades his own soul-the one only plague spot upon the face of that fair creation, which God himself pronounced to be "very good."-This fuller perception of the guilt of sin, produces in the Christian's breast, a deeper sense of sorrow and self-abasement for its commission-but so has he also a fuller assurance of hope that he shall escape from it, a fuller certainty of acceptance and forgiveness, if he repent of it.-He knows in whom he has trusted-not in the blood of bulls and of goats, which he feels could never take away sin-but in the sufferings-the death-the resurrection of that Lamb of God-that Lord Jesus Christ, who is able to save to the uttermost all those who will call upon him faithfully for "him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a

Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins 1."

Thus superior in the feeling in which it originates, in the motives which excite to it-in the assistance granted for the performance of it, and in the assurance of its efficacy, is evangelical to legal repentance.-May not repentance, then, be well called a Gospel doctrine ?--Is there not, in the lesson which he teaches, no less than in the power by which it is enforced, "a greater than Jonas here?" And shall not the men of Nineveh-(this is the point for our serious consideration, my brethren) shall not the men of Nineveh rise up in judgment against us, if such preaching and such a preacher be unheeded?" Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown." The time was short, the threatened punishment awful. There was no room for idle inquiries "whence, and what art thou?"-" So the people of Nineveh believed God" at once," and proclaimed a fast, and put

on sackcloth from the greatest of them even to the least of them 1."

But what is such a threat to us, who have been taught not to fear him that killeth the body, by our greater knowledge of him who is "able to destroy both body and soul in hell?”—What is this threat to us, who need no longer be driven by fear of any kind, because we have learned to follow willingly the wellknown voice of the Shepherd we love ?— What, I say, is this threat of mere temporal punishment-aye, though that punishment be annihilation-compared with the vast weight of motive by which a Christian should be actuated.-Fearshame all of them the loftiest of their kind, the most intense in degree?-Yet, weak as was the appeal the men of Nineveh repented.-Hear this, all ye to whom Christ has preached in vain!-Hear this, all ye for whom Christ has died, but who count the blood that would sanctify you an unholy thing!

gratitude-hope-love

1 Jonah iii. 5.

2 Matt. x. 28.

Hear this, all ye with whom Christ by the Spirit has long been pleading, but who have hitherto done despite unto that Spirit of Grace !-Remember your more constraining motives-your fuller knowledge-your ampler aid-and say if you continue impenitent, shall not the men of Nineveh rise in judgment against you?—But remember also that the greater than Jonas, who still appeals to you, is that same Jesus who yet willeth not the death of a sinner, but that all should come to repentance.-Will ye not then, now at least in this your day, come unto him, that ye may have life?" Why will ye die, O house of Israel1?"

Nor while we consider the call to repentance, which the subject we have been examining conveys, let us overlook in the last place, the demand which it makes upon our gratitude and love. Let us bless God that he has opened a way to repentance at all-that he has been graciously pleased to stay his hand, when

he witnesses the contrition of his offending creatures.-Let us thank him that he hath thought good to reveal this his gracious purpose towards us, and that he hath condescended to plan and execute so amazing a scheme, by which to render the tears of the penitent effectual -let us humbly but earnestly pray, that we may have grace to feel his unbounded goodness in this world, and may hereafter be admitted to bless and glorify him for it, for ever in another, through the merits and mediation of the one only sacrifice for sins-even our Lord Jesus Christ.