A Penitent Heart, the best _New Year’s Gift_.
LUKE xiii. 3.
_Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish._
WHEN we consider how heinous and aggravating our offences are, in
the sight of a just and holy GOD, that they bring down his wrath
upon our heads, and occasion us to live under his indignation; how
ought we thereby to be deterred from evil, or at least engaged to
study to repent thereof, and not commit the same again; but man is so
thoughtless of an eternal state, and has so little consideration of the
welfare of his immortal soul, that he can sin without any thought that
he must give an account of his actions at the day of judgment; or if
he, at times, has any reflections on his behaviour, they do not drive
him to true repentance: he may, for a short time, refrain from falling
into some gross sins which he had lately committed; but then, when the
temptation comes again with power, he is carried away with the lust;
and thus he goes on promising and resolving, and in breaking both his
resolutions and his promises, as fast almost as he has made them. This
is highly offensive to GOD, it is mocking of him. My brethren, when
grace is given us to repent truly, we shall turn wholly unto GOD; and
let me beseech you to repent of your sins, for the time is hastening
when you will have neither time nor call to repent; there is none in
the grave, whither we are going; but do not be afraid, for GOD often
receives the greatest sinner to mercy through the merits of CHRIST
JESUS; this magnifies the riches of his free grace; and should be an
encouragement for you, who are great and notorious sinners, to repent,
for he will have mercy upon you, if you through CHRIST return unto him.
St. _Paul_ was an eminent instance of this; he speaks of himself as
“the chief of sinners,” and he declareth how GOD shewed mercy unto
him. CHRIST loves to shew mercy unto sinners, and if you repent, he
will have mercy upon you. But as no word is more mistaken than that of
repentance, I shall