Father had pity on him, and for his Saviour's sake, freely forgave him all;-so, in the recovery of such an one, who "was dead"-" dead in trespasses and sins," and is alive again-"alive unto God, through Jesus Christ,"-there is "joy in heaven," more than over a multitude of those, commonly regarded as "just persons," whose good deeds, however excellent in themselves, lose all value before a heart searching God, unless they proceed from Christian principles and Christian motives. The purport, however, of the passage in question, is-not to derogate in the smallest degree from the importance of a holy and religious life; for, although even our best actions are, alas! always tainted with that corruption, inherent in our fallen state, and consequently must be utterly destitute of all merit as a procuring cause of salvation, which is wholly and entirely the "free gift of God in Christ Jesus," yet it is expressedly declared that "without holiness no man shall see the Lord;" and David says, God's "delight is upon the saints that are in the earth, and upon such as excel in virtue :"-neither, most assuredly, can it be intended as an encouragement to the sinner to go on in his vicious course, for this were indeed, to "continue in sin, that grace might abound:"—this were in direct contradiction to the awful warning of our Lord himself,"except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

The chief object of the passage plainly is, to point out, with that force and strength of expression which so peculiarly characterises our Saviour's parables, the mercy and forbearance of God; and to shew that, even at the eleventh hour, if the sinner really "turn and repent,' he need not despair of pardon and acceptance;— for, that even then, "the blood of Christ hath power to cleanse from all sin."

Indeed, from the whole of what has been said on this interesting subject, we must infer, that God hath no pleasure in the death of sinners, but that they should return and live; that he is long suffering towards them, not willing that any should perish, "but that all should come to repentance." To repent therefore, and make our peace with God, is in truth, a matter of infinite moment to every one of us; and the sooner we perform this essential-this important work, the better, both for our temporal and eternal peace but if the gracious encouragements of heaven have no influence over the hearts of habitual sinners, to produce their amendment and repentance, say what can a gracious God do more, or what can rebellious man expect? Menaces and terrors are awakening arguments indeed! yet they are arguments which affect only the most debased principles of our nature, working entirely upon the lowest passions, inte

rest and fear. Whereas love and forgiveness, free pardon, generous and merciful invitation, should surely operate with a more powerful influence upon a rational mind: they should bow down the most stubborn spirit, and melt the hardest heart into contrition and a sense of its duty; And O, may these motives have awakening influence upon you! The example of the repentant prodigal is before you-may it not have been presented to you in vain. Think it not too early or too late to return to your Father's house, when such a gracious reception,-such infinite mercy, awaits you. Delay not, I beseech you, when, to delay, be fatal to your peace; but now, while ye have time, "arise,' and, in the broken contrite spirit of the prodigal, go to your heavenly Father,-declare your utter unworthiness in his sight-and confess that ye have indeed, oft-times, "sinned before him.Thus go to him, with "the prayer of faith," and ye shall find, to your unspeakable joy, that "with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption." Yes, my brethren, ever let each of us remember that, "in many things, we offend all:"-deeply-heartily, therefore, let the very best of us repent;-for there can be no pardon where penitence is wanting; and where that, joined to a true faith, is found in the heart, forgiveness through Christ is sure. Who, then, shall venture to delay his repentance?

Who can say how soon the door of mercy may be shut, and shut for ever? Now is the time to return to our heavenly father. He is now waiting to be gracious: justified by the blood of a crucified Saviour, we may be happy if we will. Should we lose the present opportunity, who can say we shall ever have another. Let us, then, thankfully embrace it, and, by God's grace, through the merits of our adorable Redeemer, we may be pardoned here, and hereafter be blessed for ever and ever,-in "the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ." Amen.

SERMON X.

ON GOD'S LOVING KINDNESS TOWARDS ALL MANKIND.

1 TIMOTHY II. 4.-" Who will have all men to be saved, and come unto the knowledge of the truth."

THE real wants of all mankind, in every region and at every period, are substantially the same. All are continually dependent for existence on the Supreme Ruler of the world. All equally stand in need of a Sanctifier because all inherit a corrupt nature; and all require a Redeemer, because all have sinned, and without an atonement would finally "come short of the glory of God." He is no local or capricious deity, circumscribed in knowledge, in power, or in will; and therefore partially confining the blessings of redemption to families, or to nations. He sets up no groundless and arbitrary distinctions, between those who are alike his children.