THE TRUE PENITENT. 511 I, the Holy One of Israel, will be thy life and glory. -I, thy Maker, will be thy husband, and thy all." And are these, O Sinner, the gracious sayings of God to thee ? The compassionate expostulations of God become incarnate for thee ? Did God so love thee, as to set forth his only begotten son, as a propi- tiation, through faith in his blood, thus to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past ? May the Almighty now be just, and yet the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus ? Is there no difference, no respect of persons with him ? And is the same Lord over all, rich unto all that call on him? Then, shout, ye heavens ! triúmph, thou earth ! and thou, happy . Sinner, know the day . of thy visitation ; be wise, ponder these things, and thou shalt understand the loving- kindness of the Lord. Be no longer afraid that it will be presumption in thee to believe, and that God ,will be offended with thee if thou makest so free with Jesus, as to wash in- stantly in the fountain of his atoning blood. He not only gives thee leave to believe, but he invites thee to do it ,freely. Nay, he commands thee to believe; for, " This is his commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son'Jesus Christ." He even enforces his precept by a double promise, that if thou believest thou shalt not perish, but have everlasting life. And that nothing may be. wanting to stir thee up to this important business, he is gracious enough to threaten the neglect of it with the most dreadful punishment ; for " he that believeth not, shall not enter into his rest, and shall be damned ;" and he that to the end remains fearful and 'unbelieving, shall be cast into the lake that burneth with fire and brithstone, which is the second death. How canst thou doubt then, whether thou art welcome - to receive the Son given, by believing on his name ? Come to him just as thou art, and he will make thee what thou shouldst be. When he counsels thee to buy of him the Gold of faith, and the garment of salvation, take him at his gospel -word : come without
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