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in the language of the prophet,“ red | commandments, and that our actions like crimson? And when the Saviour also be perfectly consistent with that calls upon us to come and reason righteous rule, how often have we with him, in order that we may accept trespassed against that law! How pardon at his hands, must we not ac- continually have we been compelled knowledge that he speaks the lan- to say in truth and simplicity, we guage of mercy and truth, when he have left undone that which we ought says, "Come now, and let us reason to have done, and we have done that together, though your sins be as which we ought not to have done, scarlet, they shall be white as snow; and there is no health in us?" though they be red like crimson, they And then, when we contemplate shall be as wool." Mark the deep stain our privileges and blessings as Chriswhich iniquity has brought upon us! tian disciples brought, to the knowConsider your iniquities as com- ledge of the Gospel of the Son of mitted against conscience; but that GOD, as bringing us an explanation kind provision of GOD, the vicegerent of the law, in its length and breadth, of Deity, which is planted in every and in its depth and height, and bringman's bosom, is conscience. How fre- ing us a holy and precious law of quently have we transgressed against love-how frequently have we sinned the voice of conscience; and when against the Gospel; against light in our conscience has declared, If thou the understanding and the convictions dost persevere in this line of conduct of conscience—against our better thou wilt bring the vengeance of Deity | judgment-against every thing that upon thyself, how frequently have we smothered the conviction, and endeavoured to bury what our conscience speaks to us, in forgetfulness, or in pleasures, and, in fact, deny every thing we possibly can to set aside, and to annihilate, this merciful provision!

Then again, look at the aggravation of our sinfulness, as it regards the law of God. It is of the first consequence, that we study the moral government of GOD,-that we consider the ten commandments which he has given us for our guide-aye, and I would add, for our blessing; for God's commands are necessarily GOD's blessings, and when they are viewed in a right light, and when they are received and kept, under the teaching of his Spirit. But considering the extent of the law as requiring truth in the inward parts, and the spirituality of the law as requiring that our thoughts be under the rule of righteousness, that our words be regulated according to the ten

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we acknowledge to be right, and true, and honourable? Brethren, look into your own hearts, and I am confident, if you do justice to yourselves, you must see that your iniquities are as numerous as the sand on the sea shore; that if GOD was to deal with any one of us, as we have deserved, we must be cast into the bottomless pit of misery-justly condemned-our mouths stopped-and with not a single ray of justification as regards ourselves.

"For whatsoever the law saith, it saith to them that are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and that all the world may become guilty before GOD."

I trust that there is not a creature here, that is disposed to build for heaven upon self righteousness; it is too much to expect such a blessed state of things. But, if there be those present here, who are going about to establish their own righteousness, and will not submit themselves to the righteousness of GoD which is by faith, I pray them, to consider the

holiest characters, which are left
upon record, in the sacred Scriptures
-to consider what it is that God re-
quires in his word, and how faulty
the best of men are in the very best
of actions to consider how the ho-
liest of men confess their iniquities,
as recorded in the sacred pages, and
how the holiest of men, whose names
are not recorded in this book, but
are in the Lamb's book of life, how
they spoke of their exceeding sin-
fulness. I refer you to the confes-
sions of Bishop Beverage: "I never
pray, but I sin.
I never preach but
I sin. I never receive the sacrament
but I sin. Even my very tears of
sorrow for sin have need to be washed
over again in the blood of the Re-
deemer." Brethren, self-knowledgement is yours, but no
must lead us to the fullest confession,
that man at his best estate, is "alto-
gether vanity;" and that from "the
sole of the foot to the crown of the
head, there is no soundness in us, but
wounds and bruises and putrifying
sores.” Where is the man that would
dare to trust his salvation upon the
very best and purest imagination
that ever crossed his mind and heart?
I trust that you are better taught;
and that you are ready to lay your
hand upon your mouth and say, in
the language of the Publican, "GOD
be merciful to me a sinner!"

that we should "account it salva-
tion." Now, how, and in what re-
spects, can we account the long suf-
fering of our Lord to be salvation?
I will endeavour to point out several
distinct ways in which this is the fact.

In the first place, we must account it to be salvation, because the long suffering of our Lord affords time for return. "Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation!" But who can boast of to-morrow? Now we are in the land of the living, and in the land of hope. But what is your life? It is even "a vapour that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away." "Account the long suffering of our Lord to be salvation," inasmuch as the present mo

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But does not this view of the past, and our own exceeding sinfulness, bring us to the second point of my text-to consider THE INTERPRETATION WHICH WE ought to put on THE LONG SUFFERING OF OUR GOD? count that the long suffering of our Lord is salvation." GOD does nothing without a meaning; he is infinitely wise as well as infinitely gracious. What then is the interpretation which he would have us put on his own forbearance, and pity towards us? He tells us, in the inspired words under consideration,

more. We cannot promise you a day, an hour, a moment. We can hardly know what is passing around us without perceiving, that man is here to day, and gone to-morrow. How many of my beloved friends do I see wearing the garments of mourning and woe! How many have been called, within the few last weeks, out of time into eternity! We were startled last year at the dreadful effects of that tremendous disease, the cholera morbus, which cut down men, women, and children by thousands, by an agonizing death; but the present disease, which I may always venture to say has been more destructive than that to which I have referred (the cholera) has passed away almost without observation, comparatively speaking. But we know this, that multitudes have been cut down by the scythe of time and called into eternity. I cannot help mentioning to you, that, but a very fews days past, I was in communication with a beloved Christian minister of the Gospel, no other than the author of the life of Martin, no other than the author of the history of Thompson the missionary; he was in

perfect health, and perfect strength, and usefulness, busy and active for GOD and religion, when I held communication with him; and only yesterday I heard he was called out of time into eternity by this lamentable disease. I mention it in order that I may tell you that this long suffering of GOD is given you, in order that you may return to GOD whilst you have time to repent; the long suffering of GOD is to be "accounted salvation" to you.

Again, it affords proof of God's willingness to accept our return. Why has he not dealt with us, as he dealt with the fallen angels? They never sinned twice-they were cast into hell at once-no mercy has been offered to them so far as we know. But to us the long suffering of GOD is salvation. And now "he is willing to save unto the uttermost all that come to him by Christ Jesus." For this reason, therefore, "account the long suffering of God your salvation." Use the opportunities that are afforded to you. Fly from the wrath to come. Look not behind you. Now is the day of deliverance, now is the day of acceptance, and salvation! The long suffering of GOD is nothing less, than the holding out the sceptre of God's grace that you may come to it, and accept all that plenitude of mercy, which he hath provided for the vilest of sinners; there are none that shall be rejected, but those who reject themselves. He has never cast out the petition of a single supplicant, who has come to him in a child-like, humble, and patient spirit. Do you approach him then in this child-like spirit, and consider this "long suffering" to be the holding out the sceptre of His grace to you.

But, again, the long suffering of our Lord is to be accounted salvation in this way-it speaks-yea, it proclaims aloud the value of our Mediator

between God and man—the man Christ Jesus. Why does God exercise long suffering? It is in order that he may complete the mediatorial kingdom of his Son; that he may call into the kingdom that cannot be moved, all the lost sheep of the house of Israel; and prove himself to be "a light to lighten the Gentiles." There are multitudes-oh that we may find it so as respects ourselves!-for whom he has yet, mercy in reserve, and for whom he sends messages of everlasting life; and the long suffering which he has towards the children of men, proves the exceeding value of the Mediator. Not a moment of time is given us— not an opportunity of return is given to us-not an invitation of the Gospel is given to us-not a threatening of divine vengeance is given to us, but in consequence of the work, and merits, and righteousness of the Lord our Mediator. We are indebted to him for every providential blessing. He has purchased every thing that is good for us; but above all, he has purchased for us a perfect acquittal from the justice of offended Deity. He has provided for us a way of access to the Father. He is now, at the present moment, pleading our cause with GOD. He is still at the right hand of the majesty on high, angels, and principalities, and powers, being made subject to him. And the mediatorial work is carried forward, by which he is interceding on behalf of his church, gathering in the outcasts of Israel from this part of the world, and that part of the world, from the east and the west, from the north and the south, until the whole shall be gathered into one fold, and under one shepherd, even Jesus Christ our Lord. And, therefore, ought we to "account the long suffering of our Lord to be salvation;" for whilst the world lasts, and whilst the proclamation of peace is delivered from the

house tops of the children of men, his government, and despise his goodthere is the fullest ground for believ-ness, he is ready to cancel every debt, ing, that all the fulness of the bless- blot out ever iniquity, receive you, as ings of the gospel of Christ is ready into the arms of a father, and for for your acceptance. ever to cast your iniquities as into the depths of the sea. Oh, be persuaded, by the goodness of GOD, to turn to him with full purpose of heart.

But

And now, permit me, in conclusion, to address myself to several classes of my hearers, to whom this subject thus simply but imperfectly treated, has its necessary application. And I would, first, address, in all tenderness, and affection, the despisers of Divine patience and long suffering. Perhaps I may be speaking to some who are mockers of holy things and holy men who despise the long suffering of GOD, and the riches of his goodness-who set at nought the counsel of GOD against themselves— who consider not that the very patience of GOD is to lead them to repentance-who never dwell on the truth thus recorded-" despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance, and long suffering; not knowing that the goodness of GOD leadeth thee to repentance? after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest 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." Is there a single individual to whom such language is applicable? How shall I deal with such a character? Shall I call down fire, as it were, from heaven to consume him? Oh no, rather let us speak the language of pity, and commiseration, and of earnest entreaty that you may return toGod. You make no account of the forbearance of Deity; but remember that GOD does make account of it. You may think that you need it not; but GOD does think you require it, absolutely and sternly. I pray you, then, no longer despise the offers of mercy. GOD delights in mercy; and if up to this hour you have been a rebel against

But are there not those professed disciples of Jesus Christ, who use this long suffering of GOD, this forbearance, this patience, this pity of Deity, as an occasion of sin? We know that this was the case in the days of St. Paul; and we know that there never has been an age in which the wretched Antinomian doctrine has not led men, under the guidance of Satan, to continue in sin that grace may abound. Now are you tempted to such a state of mind? What shall I say to you? I will utter the language of inspiration and say, "No-God forbid," for I cannot conceive a more wretched, more deplorable situation for a mortal being to be placed in, than that of sinning with a high hand against the majesty of heaven-against the light of truth-against the doctrines of grace-despising not only the law, but the Gospel, which demands of every man the service of the whole heart, mind, soul, and strength. Every tittle and jot, both of the law and Gospel, condemn sin as that blameable thing which God hateth; and the doctrine, whatever it may be, that diminishes the heniousness of iniquity, I hesitate not to say, is a doctrine that comes from hell. Oh, let no man attempt, then, to suppose that GOD can possibly make light of sin-that GOD can view sin in such a light,—that he could spare his only begotten Son to die for our transgressions. Sin is a most abominable offence, the highest act of rebellion which we can possibly imagine. I pray you, then, to think of sin as GOD thinks of it, and not as Satan would have you to think of it. (To be continued.)

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Again, does not the language of my text hold out, in the way of practical instruction, much cheering encouragement to the fearful, and timid, and anxious mind desirous of possessing repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ? Oh, may you enter into the full meaning of the words" account the long suffering of GOD to be salvation!" Take courage; they that only touch the hem of his garment shall be made perfectly whole. His long suffering and patience towards us, is a certain indication of his readiness to "save us, even, unto the uttermost."

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light of truth-thankful that he has brought you into his fold-that he has illuminated your understanding— that he has converted your heartchanged your will, and undertook to perfect that which concerns you, and to bring you ultimately to yourself.

Oh, let us learn this lesson from my text; if GOD is patient to us, let us, as Christians, be patient towards others. There is nothing so contrary to the Christian religion, as an unkind, churlish, uncharitable spirit! GOD is love, and all that are his disciples have the love of GoD shed abroad in their hearts by' the Holy Lastly. I address myself to the Ghost given unto them; and it is the pardoned rebel, and the adopted child- voice of the Gospel, as well as the those who have found the "long suf-law, “thou shalt love thy neighbour fering of GOD," to be an act of salvation. The Gospel of the Son of GOD is a present salvation—a salvation from the love and practice, and dominion of sin; and, finally, from the very existence of sin. But, remember that God requires humiliation on the part of his children. And what can humble man more in the dust than a retrospective glance at his own short comings of duty-his offences against the divine Majesty by thought word or deed? But if you are, as you ought to be, humble, even unto the dust, be thankful for God's forbearance-thankful for the

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as thyself;" and if you see your relatives, friends, and neighbours dying, ignorant and careless about their immortal interests, be not angry with them, but patient, kind, tender, gentle hearted towards them; and use all means within your reach for their recovery, accounting the long suf.fering of GOD to be their salvation." Be encouraged by your own example, you were once out of the way, and wanderers from GoD, and strangers to the covenant of promise, without hope, and without GOD in the world; and you have been called into the privilege and immunities of the sons

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