JOHN HENRY HOBART, D.D.

BISHOP IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, ETC.

THIS eminent and exemplary prelate died lately (September 12. 1830) at Auburn, in New York, in the progress of the visitation of his diocese, in his 54th year. His memory cannot receive a prouder or more appropriate eulogy than that which appears to have been spontaneously bestowed upon it in one of the public journals of the country in which he breathed his last. The following is from a New-York paper: — "With HIM the dignity of his situation was no sinecure. Unwearied in his activity, and unwavering in his principles, he gave his life and soul to the promotion of the interests of the church over which he presided. To her he dedicated the native strength of his mind, the treasures of his learning, and the powers of his eloquence; she has lost a persevering friend and advocate, as well as an HONOURED PRELATE."

The ensuing specimens of the talents of this able divine are taken from his two volumes of "Sermons on the Principal Events and Truths of Redemption." Like the Sermons of Mr. Archdeacon Pott (see Vol. II. p. 253. of the Sunday Library), those of Bishop Hobart are devoted to the Sundays throughout the year; and are remarkable for their practical good sense, unaffected piety, and unimpeachable purity of doctrine.

MISTAKES CONCERNING REPENTANCE.

LUKE, Xiii. 3.

Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

THIS is the language of the Son of God, the Saviour and the Judge of the world. Delivered on occasion of certain of his followers unjustly considering the Galileans, slaughtered by Pilate, as greater sinners on account of this judgment which befell them, it inculcates on all the indispensable necessity of repentance, as the only refuge from destruction. Repent, lest ye perish is indeed the language which, in obedience to the injunctions of Christ and his Apostles, his Church and ministers in every age address to all descriptions of men. For until man is released from the dominion of sin by repentance, he cannot enjoy the favour of God in this life, nor be fitted for his presence in that heavenly kingdom into which entereth nothing that is unholy or unclean.

It is the language therefore which should deeply impress us all, whatever our age, character, or condition-" Except we repent, we shall perish."

The most interesting enquiry, then, which any individual can propose to himself, is Do I truly repent?

But on this question, as on every other connected with our salvation, we may delude ourselves with false hopes. We may flatter ourselves that we possess repentance; when, in reality, we are strangers to this evangelical grace. The exercises of repentance must engage, in a greater or less degree, all the powers of the soul. It must transform the affections, and change the whole character and conduct of man. It is a grace not of easy acquisition; and in regard to which, the deceitfulness of the human heart is prompted to exert itself under circumstances peculiarly favourable to success.

Men mistake concerning repentance.

I. They mistake concerning the nature of repentance.

II. They mistake concerning its exercises in different persons.

III. Lastly. They mistake concerning the power by which repentance is performed, and the grounds on which God accepts it.

Give me your attention, my brethren, while I expose the various mistakes to which you are liable, concerning repentance.

I. Men mistake concerning the nature of repent

ance.

And on this point, how various and fundamental are their mistakes. Some lay an undue stress on its internal exercises; and others, on its external effects.

Some will cherish sorrow for their offences; while

they are not equally careful that this sorrow brings forth the fruits of righteousness, the evidence and the consequence of godly sorrow for sin. Others will aim merely at external correctness of deportment; not considering that, while their guilt and ingratitude demand deep contrition, it is this contrition only which, purifying our hearts, can make our actions, which proceed from our dispositions and principles, pure and upright. Brethren, your repentance, if genuine, while it wrought in you sincere and lively contrition, caused also an holy abhorrence of sin, an ardent desire for deliverance from its dominion, an unceasing and earnest labour after a conformity in all respects to the law of God. Disjoin not, therefore, what should be inseparable. Let godly sorrow purify your hearts, and, through divine grace, see that this sorrow produces its legitimate fruits, universal righteousness of life.

Again. In regard to the internal exercises of repentance-what is the nature of that sorrow for sin from which every other genuine exercise of repentance springs? It arises from a lively compunction of conscience, which, excited by a serious consideration of the nature and peculiar aggravations of our offences, dissolves the soul in sorrow, which the understanding approves and regulates. For this, many substitute a wild, tumultuous grief, which engages principally the animal passions, and indulges in the most violent extravagances. But, after these passions have spent themselves, it subsides in the calm of indifference; or plunges its