Under the gospel dispensation, the same gracious doctrine is yet more fully revealed. “If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” { 200a} “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from _all_ unrighteousness.” { 200b} “The Lord is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that _all_ should come to repentance.” { 200c} Texts indeed there are without number of the same merciful import; and numerous also are the examples, recorded in Holy writ, in which the Saviour vouchsafed His loving kindness and favour to the weary and heavy-laden sinner; “seeking and saving those that were lost;” and thus affording us the most ample assurance of the truth of His own gracious promise, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” { 200d} Are there any amongst us, my brethren, who have not yet made their peace with God; any, whom Satan hath hitherto held fast in “the gall of bitterness, and the bond of iniquity;” who feel the wretchedness of their condition here, and are alarmed at the expectation of what may come hereafter? May “the goodness of God lead them to repentance!” However deep and dangerous the wounds which sin has made in their hearts, there is “balm in Gilead,” if they will earnestly seek it, and apply it to their souls: their offended Lord is still “waiting to be gracious;” and though they have been prodigally wasting his bounty in riotous living, yet if they be at length pierced to the heart by the misery to which it has brought them, and be truly desirous of returning to their peaceful home, and be ready, with all humility and contrition, to acknowledge their unworthiness, and to seek again the divine favour, from which they have been so unhappily estranged, then they will be received even with welcome; if but one sinner return, there “will be joy in heaven;” and the family of the blest will hail his reception; and his wanderings shall be mentioned no more. “Awake thou that sleepest and rise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” { 202}
But let not this gracious offer of mercy be abused; let it not act as an encouragement to a continuance in sin, under a notion that transgressions, however multiplied and aggravated, may be, at any future day, repented and forgiven. The grace of repentance, like every other good gift, cometh from God; and the proffered mercy, which is long and obstinately rejected, may be, and often is, withdrawn. If we will not hear, while the Almighty now speaks; if we will not answer, while He is now calling, “the ear may become heavy that it cannot hear,” and we may be left to perish in our sins. One word more; think of the many sudden departures; you are not without awakening and awful examples; your eye may be closed in death, while it is turned away from your God; or if you should be permitted to experience a few days’ alarm, God alone knows what effect it may produce upon the heart. Seek Him “in health and wealth;” the work is of amazing magnitude and everlasting importance; it demands all your vigour, all the unclouded faculties of your soul.