MEDITATION V.

NUMB. XXXV. 3.—EZEK. vii. 19.

Ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer.-Their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord.

MED. A REPRIEVE to a condemned cri

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minal, cannot be received with greater welcome than the offer of pardon to the self-convicted sinner. We have reason to imagine him humbled to the dust, and awaiting with awful apprehensions the just sentence of his Judge. We have accompanied the penitent in part through a train of thought, that must bring him to this conclusion; but he has not yet accomplished the full purpose of repentance. Repentance is,

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properly speaking, the fulfilling all MED. righteousness, comprehending both the motives and consequences of Christianity. His view of this extensive prospect is yet imperfect. He knows but in part; and it is not till " which " is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away

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Conviction and contrition are both signs of the progress of repentance, but they do not of themselves constitute that change, which alone deserves the name. Alas! prisoner! as it was not by one act of sin that thou hast been brought to this abode of sorrow, so will it not be by one short hour of acknowledged transgression, that thou canst be restored to all those holy privileges which thou hast lost. As thou didst find that road broad which led thee to destruction, so wilt thou find the road narrow and rough which leads to everlasting life. But think not, that a merciful

1 Cor. xiii. 10.

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MED. God put these impediments in thy way, to obstruct or hinder thy entrance into a better state of being, or to retard thy reformation. No. Thou didst collect them all thyself. Thou didst heap up passions, prejudices, vices, follies. Thou wentest from mountain to hill, like sheep that have gone far away, till at length thou didst forget thy resting place*. But the Divine Shepherd follows thee still. He cries, "Come unto me all ye "that labour, and are heavy laden, " and I will give you restt." He pursues thee with ardent and earnest solicitation, though wandering in desarts and in mountains; he searches for thee with scrutinizing diligence, and visits thee, as he did the Saints of old, even in dens and caves of the earth." Ask, " and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be "opened unto you: for every one that "asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh

"findeth; and to him that knocketh, MED. "it shall be opened *.

Happy tidings for the prisoner and the penitent! happy tidings for man in every state and stage of his existence; for there is no condition of human life which has not ample cause to bid them welcome.

But let me proceed in my contem plation-for though cheared by the prospect now opening before me, I am yet far from shelter. I am travelling with a company of mourners, and feel every change which they experience. Though convinced of sin, and contrite in heart, they have not yet found out that healing power, that mysterious medicinal balm, which is to give them ease. They hold out their hands to every expected helper, and gladly seize every promising appearance. Their own endeavours begin to expand in their breasts, and they feel an energy which

Mat. vii. 7, 8.
E

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MED. gives them hope. But there is yet danger:-they wish to merit something. One moment, one

for themselves.

short moment of spiritual thought, nay even of rational reflection, will shew them the impossibility of accomplishing this intention, and consequently the hazard of resting the efficacy of their repentance upon it.-Satisfaction for sin! How canst thou make it? Canst thou call back the day that is past? Canst thou undo the guilty deed?— Here then all merit ends. What! can the murderer give life, can the slan derer restore reputation? Can the robber give back the pledge, or the plunderer, of whatever denomination, replace the property that he has stolen, and has squandered? In most cases of crime, satisfaction of this nature, is impossible; and in almost all others where it is not impossible, it is improbable. But if satisfaction could be accomplished in its most desired sense, can the offender in any instance restore the