still in the language of the Prophet, "we all like sheep have gone astray, and have turned every one to his own way.' Sin has reigned in every heart; and whatever form it may have put on, whatever direction it may take, it still is sin. Its nature and effects are still It is transgression of the law; it is rebellion against God; it provokes His displeasure; it disqualifies the sinner for happiness; it shuts him out from Heaven. Conversion from sin, then, is a Blessing, of which "every one" stands in need.

the same.

2dly. "Every one" who is willing, may obtain this Blessing.

In this respect also there is no difference. Every one," as we have already noticed, is naturally under the dominion of sin : but to "every one" offers of deliverance are sent. "Ho every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters." Sinners sometimes question

the Power of Christ to set them free. Groaning under the yoke of sin, they feel as if it never could be broken. Entangled and overcome, they are apt to fear, that lust is too

deeply rooted in their soul ever to be ex

(they cry,) is so that no power can But" is any thing What is the pro

pelled. Our heart,' hardened, and corrupt, soften, and improve it.' too hard for the Lord ?" mise? "A new heart will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I

will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh."

At other times sinners are led to doubt the Willingness of Christ to deliver them; and with the Leper are ready to say, "Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." At least they distrust His loving-kindness to themselves. 'Others,' (they say,) He will pity, and save but for us He has no compassion left. We have sinned beyond the reach of His Mercy.' But to 66 every one" is the Blessing offered. No exceptions are made. What are the repeated declarations of Christ Himself? "Come unto Me, all ye that labour, and are heavyladen, and I will give you rest.' "Him that cometh unto Me, I will in no wise cast out." "Whosoever will, let him take of

the water of life freely.'

And now, my brethren, by way of application of the subject, are there any among you, who despise the Blessing offered in the text; who, regardless of all consequences, are living in the practice of Sin, and sleeping on the brink of everlasting ruin? How shall I awaken you to a sense of your danger! How shall I rouse you to a consideration of the important concerns which you are neglecting! God hath sent His Son to bless you, and you reject the Blessing. He offers to turn you from your iniquities; and

you refuse to be turned.

He counsels, and reproves you; but you set at nought all his counsel, and will have none of his reproof. You prefer sickness to health; slavery to freedom; toil and labour to ease, and rest. Reflect on the folly of your choice. Weigh well the guilt of it. Look forward to the consequences. While you are living in Sin, you are living without Christ, without Hope, without God in the world. Should you

perish in this state, under what aweful circumstances will you perish!" Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the Lord hath spoken. Give glory to the Lord your God, before He cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains; and while ye look for light, He turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness."

Are there others who mistake the nature of Conversion, and consequently undervalue the Blessing offered in the Text; who satisfied with some outward show of righteousness make no attempt to approve their hearts towards God? In some respects, it may be, you are different from what you formerly were, You have perhaps renounced the practice of some glaring immoralities; you have possibly discontinued some evil habits, to which you were once addicted: you have amended some wrong tempers: you have corrected some bad dispositions

VOL. IV.

But are you therefore converted? Have you therefore been "turned from your iniquities ?" My brethren, be not deceived. Has your heart been changed? Has pride and sin been dethroned there? What master are you serving in the inner man? Has God, or the world possession of your Soul? Have you humbly fled for refuge to the Lord Jesus Christ? Or are you still standing at a distance from Him? Are you serving Him in simplicity, and godly sincerity, or are you obeying Sin in any of the lusts thereof? Be assured, that if you allow yourself in one point habitually to offend, you are in fact guilty of all; and your heart evidently is not right in the sight of God, who requires truth and purity in the inward parts. You have never yet experienced the power of renewing grace. You are still in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity." "Repent therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out."-"Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind; that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God."

Again, there may be some who truly feel their need of the Blessing in the text, but who greatly err as to the Means of obtaining it. You lament, I would suppose, the sinful, and disordered state of your Soul, and are longing to be made whole. You

groan beneath the burden of your corrupt nature, and sigh, and seek for deliverance. But you seek it not in the way in which only it is to be found. You are seeking it in your own strength, in dependence on your own resolutions and exertions, as if it were a work in your own power, and under your own control. But Conversion from sin is a work to be wrought, not by you, but in you. It is a blessing which cometh from above. "The preparations of the heart are from the Lord." Christ alone can turn you from your iniquities. You cannot turn yourselves. It is "He who is exalted as a Prince, and a Saviour, to give repentance unto men," To Him then apply for the Blessing. Pray to Him to give you repentance; to "bless you by turning you from your iniquities." Be earnest with Him in prayer and supplication. Cry out with the Psalmist, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.' Say with repentant Ephraim, "Turn Thou me, O Lord, and I shall be turned." Doubt not the power and willingness of Christ to hear, and help you; for He was sent on purpose "to bless you by turning you from your iniquities." Distrust not his compassion, for He came to bind up the brokenhearted; to proclaim liberty to the Captives, and the opening of the prison to them that