Page:Sermons on the Lord's Prayer.djvu/84

 "though the Lord forgives all, nevertheless sins are not on that account wiped away, for this can be effected only by repentance."

Now, here is a distinction most important to be observed. The old idea—and one still extensively prevalent—in regard to God's forgiveness of sins, is, that he has but to speak the word "pardon," and at once the sins are blotted out, with all their painful consequences, and the man can be at once received into heaven. But such a view shows an utter ignorance of the nature and constitution of the human mind, and also of the nature and laws of Divine order. Were it possible for men to be thus forgiven,—were nothing needed but for the Lord to speak the words "I pardon,"—there would not remain an unforgiven sinner in the universe, nor would there be any hell at all, but the Lord, in his infinite love, would draw all his creatures to his arms, and make them happy in heaven for ever.

But such is not the nature of things, nor the nature of man, nor the nature of man's relation to his Maker. Man, in order that he may be man, and not a mere machine, is constituted with freedom of will; which implies the power to pervert his own nature, if he will, and thus to bring himself into disorder and consequent unhappiness. Suppose, then, that a man, abusing his freedom, disobeys the Divine commandments, which are the laws of heavenly order, and falls into sin. By repeated acts of disobedience, he perverts his nature and his tastes, forms evil habits, and sinks into a low