by the fear of punishment, is not true repentance. A malefactor, who is about to be executed, may be very sorry that he has forfeited his life by his crimes; and a bad man, on his death-bed, may be very sorry that he is to be sent to everlasting torment: and yet, if an opportunity were afforded them, both would return to their old sins, and their sorrow would last no longer than their danger. Real penitents are very frequent and particular in making confessions of their secret sins to God, and do not content themselves with talking much of their own baseness and unworthiness, and of their good intentions, but really forsake sin, and "bring forth fruits meet for repentance." : The progress of true repentance is admirably illustrated by the parable of the Prodigal Son. It begins with reflection this leads to self-examination: this ends in conviction, accompanied with faith: these are followed by contrition and sorrow, which settle into hatred and loathing of sin. To constitute such a repentance, there must be a desire of mercy and deliverance; an actual application for it in retirement, by groanings which cannot be uttered; a ceasing to do evil, and a learning to do well; an abounding in the work of the Lord, and an active desire to advance his glory. The word of God informs us (2 Cor. vii. 10) that godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation, not to be repented of; but the sorrow of the world worketh death; and we have examples of the effects produced by both kinds, that we may examine ourselves, and know to which class our sorrow, when we have done wrong, belongs. Examples of what is called "the Sorrow of the World." Cain. Gen. iv. 13, 14. Saul. Esau. Gen. xxviii. 34. Heb. xii.17. A hab. Judas. 1 Sam. xv. 30. 1 Kings xxi. 25. 29. Matt. xxvii. 3. Examples of true Repentance. Prodigal Son. Luke xv. 12. 18. Manasseh. 2 Chron. xxxiii. 13. Zaccheus. Luke xix. 8. Job. Job xlii. 6. David. Ps. xxxii. 3-5; li. Ephraim. Jer. xxxi. 18. Peter went out and wept bitterly. Woman who was a sinner. Luke Thief on the cross. Luke xxiii. What is the state of mind of a penitent? Jer. xxxi. 18. What is the chief means by which repentance is produced? A view of a crucified Saviour. The penitent, looking at the cross of Christ, sees himself a sinner, and mourns over those sins which crucified the Lord of life. Unless we feel something of this, we are not real Christians. The only entrance to the way which leads to eternal life, is by this godly sorrow and heartfelt repentance. The passage is very difficult, and we must strive to enter in at the strait gate. Notwithstanding the necessity and benefit of repentance, we must remember that it does not atone for sin. How are we to obtain repentance? By prayer. Prayers for repentance, in the Liturgy. Collect, Ash-Wednesday.-Create and make in us new and contrite hearts. Absolution.-Let us beseech him to grant us true repentance. Litany. That it may please thee to give us true repentance. How necessary is it for those who have not already repented, to set about the important work immediately! Do not trifle with God. Difficulties will increase with age. CHAPTER IV. ON FAITH. WHAT is Faith ?* St. Paul briefly defines it to be The substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Heb. xi. 1. Christ is the object of a Christian's faith, and the hope set before us; faith is not a state of the understanding merely, but of the heart. To believe testimony, and rely on the promises of men, is natural; but spiritual things are so far beyond our apprehension, so humbling, and so opposite to worldly pursuits, that we cannot believe the things which concern our eternal salvation, so as to love them, and act upon them, (and none is true faith, but that *See note at the end of the chapter, page 20. which worketh by love,) until the heart be changed by grace. Faith is founded on knowledge-a knowledge of God, and of our own ruined condition, as revealed to us in the Scriptures. It includes a determination not to continue in this state. "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" It produces a conviction that if help comes, it must come from God, and leads us to breathe such petitions as these: "Turn thou me!" "Undertake for me!"" Wilt thou not revive us ?" It brings us to the Redeemer, unites us to him, and enables us to walk in that liberty wherewith he hath made us free. Thus if Christ be called A Refuge, (Isa. xxv. 4,) Faith leads us to flee to him for shelter from the wrath of God. A Fountain, (Zech. xiii. 1,) Faith induces us to come to have our guilt washed away. The Bread of Life, (John vi. 35,) Faith draws us to him as our spiritual food and sustenance. Living Water, (John vii. 37,) Faith brings us to him to have our thirst quenched. A Shepherd, (Isa. xl. 11,) Faith causes us to follow him, and seek his protection and guidance. A Physician, (Matt. ix. 12,) Faith leads us not only to believe in his power, but to go to him to be healed. A High Priest, (Heb. iv. 14,) an Advocate, (1 John ii. 1,) Faith depends only on his atonement and intercession for pardon and acceptance. A Prophet, (Luke xxiv. 19,) Faith leads us to ask him to teach us his will, with an intention, by his help, to do it. A King, (Matt. xxi. 5,) Faith leads us to submit in all things to his authority. Such a faith has great power. All things are possible to him that believeth. Mark ix. 23. All men have not this Faith, (2 Thess. iii. 2,) which is very different from a mere historical belief of the facts, and a general and cold assent to the doctrines, contained in the Bible. Such a Faith even bad men may have; nay, the devils themselves believe thus far, as firmly as the holiest saints. James ii. 19. Eminent Examples of Faith. Abraham offering Isaac his son. Gen. xxii. 10-16. Job xiii. 15. David said to Goliath, The battle is the Lord's, and he will give Dan. iii, 18. Jonah's prayer when in the fish's belly. Jon. ii. 4. Although the fig-tree shall not blossom-yet will I rejoice in the Lord. Hab. iii. 17, 18. Speak the word, and my servant shall be healed. Matt. viii. 8. The friends of the man sick of the palsy. Matt. ix. 2. The woman with the issue of blood. Matt. ix. 22. The Canaanitish woman. Matt. xv. 28. Blind Bartimeus. Mark x. 52. The woman who was a sinner. Luke vii. 50. Stephen was "full of faith." Acts vi. 5. Paul said, I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Acts xxvii. 25. Heb. xi. mentions Abel, Enoch, Noah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and others, as patterns of faith. Why is faith necessary for all men ? 1. Because it is by faith alone that we can be justified. By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight. Rom. iii. 20. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Rom. iii. 28. To him that worketh not, [that is as a ground of justification,] but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Rom. iv. 5.-See also v. 1. Gal. ii. 16; iii. 8. 11. 21-24; v. 4, 5, &c. &c. See also note on justification by faith, page 21. 2. Because, without it, it is impossible to please God, to profit by his word, to resist the assaults of Satan, or to have Christ formed in the heart, the hope of glory. The shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Eph. vi. 16. The word did not profit, not being mixed with faith. Heb. iv. 2. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Heb. xi. 6. 3. Because all men are commanded to believe. Believe in the Lord your God. 2 Chron. xx. 20. Look unto me, and be ye saved. Isa. xlv. 22. This is my beloved son; hear ye him. Matt. xvii. 5. Mark ix. 7. Have faith in God. Mark xi. 22. This is the work of God, that ye believe in him. John vi. 29. Him shall ye hear in all things. Acts iii. 22, 23; vii. 37. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts xvi. 31. This is his commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ. 1 John iii. 23. Are all men invited to believe? Yes. John came that all men through him might believe. John i. 7. What is the consequence of unbelief? -is condemned al He that believeth not shall be damned- The unbelieving shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone. Rev. xxi. 8. How are you to obtain this faith? By asking for it, and diligently seeking it in the use of ordinances, remembering that faith is the gift of God, in the use of means. Faith cometh by hearing. Rom. x. 17. To another, faith, by the same Spirit. 1 Cor. xii. 9. The fruit of the Spirit is faith. Gal. v. 22. By grace ye are saved, through faith-the gift of God. Eph. ii. 8. Col. ii. 12. We are exhorted to follow after faith. 1 Tim. vi. 11. 2 Tim. ii. 22. The Christian's life is a life of faith, that is, every blessing comes to him, by a believing application to Jesus Christ. Ye are the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Christ dwells in the heart by faith. Eph. iii. 17. By faith ye stand. 2 Cor. i. 24. 2 Cor. v. 7. Fight the good fight of faith. 1 Tim. vi. 12. What are the signs of true faith? 1. Love to Christ and his people. Unto you, which believe, he is precious. 1 Pet. ii. 7. 2. Hatred of sin. Gal. iii. 26. Heb. x. 38. Rom. v. 2. Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 1 John ii. 3. Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith. 2 Cor. xiii. 5. If you have reason to fear that you have not faith, make application for it without further delay. If you find it to be a hidden treasure, dig for it. If you are convinced that it is a pearl of great price, sell all that you have, that you may purchase it. Matt, xiii. 44. 46. If the principle have already gained admission into your breast, though it be yet as a grain of mustard-seed, let it encourage you to persevere. Pray with the disciples, "Lord, increase our faith," (Mark xvii. 5,) and adopt the words and spirit of him who said, "Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief." Mark ix. 24. Call to mind the promises contained in the Scripture, |