THE TRUE PENITENT., 497' every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money : come ye, buy and.eat all that can revive, strengthen, and delight your souls ? -yea come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, eat that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fat- ness. Incline your ear, and come unto me., hear, and your soul shall live; I will make -an everlasting cove- nant with you, even the sure mercies of David, and ye shall all know me, from the least to the greatest: for I will forgive your iniquity, and remember your sin no more. " Oh, if thou knewest the gift- of `God, wretched sinner, and who it is that saith unto thee, If any man -thirst, let him come to me and drink, thou wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee liv- ing water; a well, a fountain of it, would have sprung up in thee unto everlasting life; yea, out of thy belly, thy inmost soul, rivers of living water, the greatest abundance of the purest joy, would have flowed for ever. I, even I, am he, that blotteth out thy trans- gressions for my own sake, and will not remember thy sins : I will guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought; and thou shalt be like -á watered garden, or like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. O how often would I- have gathered thee in years past, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings:`! How often would I- have led thee, as an eagle flutter- eth over her young, spreading abroad her wings, taketh them, and beareth them ! but thou wouldst not. Nevertheless, this is still the day of my power, mercy, and love: I pardon those whom I reserve, and I will yet be pacified towards thee, for all that thou hast done. I was angry with thee, but -mine anger is turned away; my thoughts towards thee are thoughts of peace, and I am become thy salvation. Come then, let us now reason together, and though thy sins be as 16
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