whole is, that the repentance which would qualify them for the Messiah's kingdom, required that they should not only forsake their sinful practices, but become entirely different in character and conduct from what they were before; that they should not only cease to do evil, but learn to do well; and especially that they should now assiduously cultivate the virtues, and perform the duties, which they had formerly neglected and transgressed; that the covetous should prove the sincerity of their repentance by liberality and charity; the dishonest by fair and honourable dealing; and the violent and rapacious by meekness and contentment.

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Hence, my Christian friends, we can be at no loss to understand the nature of the change which follows true repentance, and whether that change has taken place in ourselves or not. You must be aware that he only is a true penitent, and his repentance only is complete, whose conscience bears him witness, that he hath laid aside every weight, and especially that sin, whatever it was, which in time past was most apt to beset him that he hath subdued every corrupt propensity, and especially that one, of which he formerly found the influence most predominant, and most apt to mislead him; and that, not satisfied with a mere negative virtue, but convinced that (according to the apostle) "not to do good is sin," it is his earnest wish, and constant study and endeavour, to abound in those fruits which are meet for repentance, and redound to the glory of God. Whose conscience thus attests the reality, and sincerity, and complete

ness of repentance, the result is a happy one, not only to the penitent being, but to all in any manner connected with him. If he has been an oppressor of those in his power, he now cherishes and protects them. If, for the sake of worldly gain, he has ever over-reached a neighbour, he now makes restitution, and in all his dealings sets an example of candour and honesty. If he has been too much addicted to sensual pleasure, he is now no longer its votary. Having subdued those fleshly lusts which war against the soul, instead of wasting his fortune in luxury and riot, he now renders it subservient to his advancement in virtue, by a prudent and charitable use of it. If he has been injurious and revengeful, he is now kind, beneficent and forgiving; he can love even his enemies, do good to them that hate him, and pray for them that despitefully use him and persecute him. In short, he is taught and enabled by the grace of the Gospel, with deep regret for, and hatred of his sin, to turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavour after, new obedience.

From what has been said concerning the true nature of repentance, the necessity of it in order to our being qualified to be the subjects of a Spiritual King, must appear quite evident. John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness, and saying, "Repent ye, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand." And Jesus Christ himself commenced his ministry by inculcating the same doctrine. The reason is obvious. As we are all sinners, repentance is necessarily the first step towards spiritual purity, without which we are

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assured in every page of the New Testament, there can be no interest in the blessings of that kingdom, which he came to establish. The rite of Baptism, by which we are initiated into the Christian Church, is emblematical of this point;-the Lord's Supper was instituted for the purpose of promoting it; and the great end and tendency of all the other ordinances of our religion, as well as of its doctrines and precepts, is to teach and persuade us, that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; and why?—but because it is only by being so taught and persuaded, that we can approve ourselves true subjects and servants of him whom we acknowlege as our Lord and Master, or that we can with any sure ground of confidence, look forward to the blessed hope, and the glorious appearance of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Happily for mankind, the vilest sinners upon earth are admissible into his kingdom; nay, are entreated to become subjects of it. But for what purpose ? Is it that they may enjoy the blessings, of it, without parting with their sins? Suffice it to observe, that the whole tenor of the New Testament is so expressly hostile to any such conceit, that it must appear matter of astonishment, that any person who had perused that book, should have ever, even once, allowed his imagination to whisper to him, that, under the Christian dispensation, there could be any hope of acceptance, without obedience to the precepts of its Author; that is, without repentance, a new heart,

and a new life. The sincere convert will meet with much in it to comfort him,-nay, to gladden his heart: he will meet with precious promises of forgiveness and favour, of present aid and consolation, and of future happiness and glory. But the pretended convert, he who makes an outward profession, but continues in his sins, will meet with nothing on which he can build the smallest confidence; -on the contrary, he must be convinced, (if he do not shut his eyes against the clearest light), that the many and dreadful denunciations of wrath, and woe, and tribulation, denounced in it against the workers of iniquity, are all of them applicable to himself.

What then, brethren, shall we do? Having such kind encouragement from the mercy of God in the Gospel of Christ, and being so awfully warned to flee from the wrath to come, let us not attempt to justify the errors of our past conduct, but let it be our care, as it is our highest interest, sincerely to repent, and to prove the sincerity of our repentance by bringing forth fruits meet for it. And it is of the last importance to us, that this be done without a moment's delay; for, as we read in the context, "Now also the axe is laid unto the root of the tree and every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down, and cast into the fire." One far mightier than John the Baptist hath long since appeared, — and we know not how soon he may again appear, "whose fan is in his hand; and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat

into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

Much then, we see, depends upon a speedy and sincere compliance with the exhortation in the text : Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." No less, indeed, depends upon whether we comply with it or not, than life or death eternal. Let me therefore, in conclusion, remind you how infinitely it concerns us no longer to deceive ourselves with vain excuses and false pretences, such as, though they serve in some small degree to quiet our own minds, yet do not impose even upon the more discerning part of our fellow men, much less upon the Searcher of hearts,-upon that Being who knoweth all things, and is greater than our hearts. If we would form a correct estimate of our own religious and moral character, let us not, in examining ourselves, listen to the suggestions of appetite and passion, or allow our judgment to be warped or swayed by the maxims or example of a corrupt world; but placing the word of God before us, and considering it as the rule by which we shall be finally judged, let us judge ourselves honestly and impartially by it at present: and having thus ascertained what we really are, and wherein we have heretofore erred, the road to reformation will be plain before us. What we have then to do,- and it is the most important step of all-is seriously and in the strength of God's grace to resolve upon that change,-upon that newness of heart and life, which the Gospel requires;