Page:Spiritual Reflections for Every Day in the Year - Vol 1.pdf/334

 we pray that God would not remember our transgressions, we must cease to remember them ourselves. To remember anything, in Scriptural language, is to have that thing constantly present in the mind; transgression is present so long as we love, cherish and practice it, and while we practice it, we remember it; it is therefore fresh and active in the soul: and can we ask an Omniscient God to forget what we ourselves constantly remember? As we turn from former sins and transgressions, and love and practise the good and the true, transgressions and sins fade away—they die in us, they are not present in the life, and when not so present, they are not remembered. O how consoling are the divine promises to him who turns from his sins and transgressions, to the Lord!—"None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right." (Ezek. xxxiii. 16.) Yes! blessed be the Lord God of Israel! who hath no pleasure in the death of the wicked. He remembers not former transgressions, but fills with heavenly blessings the present state of good. Cease to do evil, and learn to do well, and then all former transgressions shall not be remembered. (Isa. lxv. 16.)

F children are indeed the Lord's inheritance, their early departure from this world, though painful to the natural affections of loving parents, is neverthe-