234 FORGIVENESS OF SIN. psalm; and which we shall therefore apply ourselves to in a special manner, in its proper place. Our exhortation, then; is to both. To the first; that they would receive it, that they may have life,; to the other, that theywould improve it, that they may have peace. To the former, that they would not neglect so great a salvation as is tendered to them; to the lat- ter, that they would stir up the grace of God that is in them, to mix with the grace of God that is declared to them. I begin with the first class, those who are yet utter strangers from the covenant of grace; who never yet, upon saving grounds, believed this forgiveness; who never have yet once tasted of Gospel pardon. Poor sinners! this word is to you. Be it that you have heard or read the same instruc- tions before, or others to the same purpose., It is your concern_ to hear them again.. God would have it so ; the testimony of Jesus Christ is thus to be accomplish- ed. This counsel of God' we must declare, that we may be free "from the blood of all men," Acts, 20:26, 27, and that not once or twice, but in preaching the word we must " be instant in season, out of season, reprov- ing, rebuking, exhorting, with all long-suffering and doctrine." 2 Tim. 4 2. And wo to you, when God leaves thus speaking to you:; when he refuses to exhort you any more, wo unto you. This is God's departure from any person or people, when he will deal with them no more about forgiveness::" Wo unto them when I depart from them." Hos. 9 : 12. 0 that God would give such persons seeing eyes and hearing ears, that the word, of grace may never more be spoken to them in vain. Now, in our exhortation to such persons, we shall proceed' in order according as the importance and the nature of the subject require. Consider, therefore, I. That, notwithstanding all your sins, all the evil
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