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 will be the blindness and obstinacy in sin. S. Peter says, " For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment." (2 S. Pet. ii. 21.) And S. Paul adds, " It is impossible (speaking morally) for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, .... if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance." (Heb. vi. 4-6.)

Terrible, indeed, is it, what the Lord says against those who are deaf to His calls. " Because I have called, and ye refused; .... I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh." (Prov. i. 24-26.) Mark carefully these two words, "I also;" they signify that as the sinner has mocked God, confessing Him, promising, and afterwards ever betraying Him; so the Lord will mock at the hour of his death. Moreover, the Wise Man says: "As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly." (Prov. xxvi. 11.) Denis explains this passage: " That as it is most abominable and disgusting to take again that which has been vomited, so is it to repeat sins which have been blotted out."

Behold me, O my God, at Thy feet; I am that unclean being who has so often returned to feed upon that forbidden fruit which I at first hated. I do not deserve mercy, O my Redeemer; but the Blood which Thou hast shed for me, encourages me and allows me to hope for it. How often have I offended Thee, and Thou hast pardoned me! I have promised never to offend Thee again, and then I returned to the vomit, and Thou hast again pardoned me. Do I wait for Thee to send me direct to hell, or to give me over into the hand or my sin, which would be a heavier punishment than hell? No, my God, I will amend; and that I may be faithful to Thee, I put all my confidence in Thee; and when I am tempted, I will fly to Thee instantly and ever. In times past I have trusted in my promises and resolutions, and I have neglected to commend myself to Thee in temptation, and this has caused my ruin. Lord, from this day henceforth Thou shalt be my hope and my