THE UNCONVERTED. 105' I to try it one year longer, and then if it proved not frui tful , to cut it down. Christ himselfthere makes the application twice over, ver. 3 and 5. "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." How many years bath God looked for the fr uits of love and holiness from thee, and hath found none, and. yet he hath spared thee ? How many a time, by thy wilful ignorance, and carelessness, and disobedience, hast thou provoked justice to say, "Cut him down, why cumbereth he the ground?" And yet mercy hath prevailed, and patience hath forborne the fatal blow, to this day. If thou hadst the understanding of a man within thee, thou wouldst know that all this calleth thee to turn. " Dost thou think thou shalt still escape the judgment of God? or despisest thou the riches of his goodness, and forbearance, and long suffering? not knowing that the goodness of God leacleth thee to repentance. But, after thy hardness and impenitent heart, tr.f.!!:surest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his deeds." Rom. ii. 8-6. 8. Moreover, it is the voice of every affliction to call thee to make haste and turn. Sickness and pain cry Turn: and poverty, and loss of friends, and every twig of the chastening rod, cry Turn, and yet wil£ thou not hearken to the call? These have come near thee, and made thee feel; they have made thee groan, and can they not make thee turn? 9. The very frame of thy nature and being itself, bespeaketh thy return. \Vby hast thou reason, but to rule thy flesh, and serve thy Lord? Why hast thou an understanding soul, but to learn and know his will and do it? Why hast thou a heart within thee, that can love, and fear, and desire, but that thou shoulclst fear him, and love him, and desire after him? 10. Yea, thine own engagements by promise to the Lord, call upon thee to turn and serve him,
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