Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 1.djvu/378

 who can destroy both body and soul in hell; where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

These being the very words of God, you will do well to consider into what a condition you have brought yourself; and, indeed, the only comfort you have is this, that you are yet alive, and that the day of grace and repentance is yet afforded you. Which that you may make use of, I must also let you know, what God has declared concerning such as repent and turn unto God, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance.

To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.

And our blessed Saviour, to show us what great compassion God has for him that has gone astray, and returns to his duty; He represents Him as a man, who having found his lost sheep, takes it upon his shoulders, rejoicing.

And in another parable, to make us understand the love of God for penitent sinners, he shows us how we may hope to be received, even as a compassionate father received his prodigal son, whenever he became humble and sensible of his faults; he embraced him, he clothed him, he rejoiced with his whole family. And such joy there is amongst the angels of God, when a sinner repenteth.

Such great encouragement you have to return to God. But then, you must do it sincerely; you must not only appear outwardly a penitent, but with a true penitent heart come before God and His Church. Which if you do, you will not look upon this as a punishment inflicted upon you by the Church, but as a wholesome medicine administered for the good of your precious soul. Without which, you might have gone on, adding sin to sin, until there had been no more space for repentance.

You will suffer yourself to be admonished; acknowledge your offence; and give glory to God, in owning his power to punish you in the next life, though you should escape in this.

You will testify to others that it is, indeed, an evil thing and