fhould be admitted to a fhare in that regard, or that any encouragement fhould be given to them, even when transformed and established " in newness of life." But how large is the grace, how great the condefcenfion, of Jefus! He did not fcorn the poor, weeping penitent, though he had been moft abandoned, and long enflaved in the fervice of Satan; but he received, he comforted, he defended her, at the hazard of his own reputation.

He replied, in a very appofite parable, to the secret objections of the Pharifee (for he had not avowed them), fhewing, that of two debtors, both of whom are infolvent, and both freely released from their obligations by their generous creditor, he, to whom the largest forgiveness is extended, will feel the warmest gratitude. He then referred immediately to the cafe of Simon and the woman, reproving him for the neglect of those tokens of respect to him which are ufually paid to welcome vifitants, and commending her for the expreffions of her regard, however extravagant they might feem. The Pharifee thought his own offences few and trivial, and, therefore, he could not entertain any high value for the Saviour; but fhe, who was overwhelmed with a deep fenfe of her aggravated guilt, and yet cheered with the hope of a full and gratuitous pardon, was folicitous to declare, in every way she could, the ardour of her affection towards Him, who had obtained the mercy for her. "Wherefore," faid Jefus," her fins, which are many, are forgiven: for fhe loved much.” We do not believe, that her strong attachment to Chrift procured her remiffion, but, rather, that it was the ruit and evidence of it. It would invert the order of

and of God's difpenfations with his people, that this attachment preceded her acceptafforded a ftriking proof of it, and mafrom a conviction of her vaft obligaot, therefore, as if he were then first received

ceived to favour, but to establish her the more in thankfulness, hope, and joy, he folemnly pronounced her abfolution: "Thy fins are forgiven." That very circumftance occafioned fresh offence among thofe, who were prefent; for they had no juft conceptions of the perfon and authority of Jefus. But, in order to declare his divine character most peremptorily, and to affert his high prerogative, however they might cavil at it, he repeated the affurance of her pardon and falvation, through faith in his name, and difmiffed her in peace.

A ferious attention to this little narrative may fuggeft the following enquiries, which will furnish an useful improvement of the fubject.

Are we not debtors to God, according to the description of the parable? Have we not failed of that obedience, which He has a right to demand? Is not our debt large, immenfe, beyond any calculation we can form? Let us beware of the ignorance and presumption of the Pharifee. Though others may feem to owe far more than we, will this procure our dif charge? Or are there any, among the moft atrocious offenders, whom we may disdain? Does it not, rather, become us to confefs, that our own tranfgreffions are innumerable, and, confidering how we have violated the strongeft obligations to God, that none can need forgiveness more than we?

Are we not, likewife, infolvent? Or, in what manner fhall we contrive to answer all the claims, which the Lord God has upon us? What payment can we tender? Is it fuch, as will be fufficient to fatisfy his juft demands? It is faid, perhaps," We fhail repent, and do better." But fhall we ever perform more than would have been due from us, if we had not finned? And, if we only prevent an increase of the debt in future, can this have any effect in diminishing what is already contracted, or wipe off any part of the old account against us? What, then,

fhall

fhall we refolve on? Let us not waste the time, in forming vain and fruitless schemes of our own, but frankly acknowledge our inability, and go with deep-eft humiliation to that Jefus, who "receiveth finners." Let each of us cry to Him, "O Lord, undertake for me:" He will appear as our Surety," and present us with a full and free discharge. If, like this penitent woman, we mourn and weep at his feet, he will obferve our tears, commiferate our dif tress, and haften to comfort us with the affurance, that "our fins, which are many, are forgiven."

If, then, He pronounce us to be acquitted, what fhould hinder, but that we depart in peace? This is his own gracious propofal, and ought not to be refufed. Yet do not many reject the confolation, and indulge an excess of forrow? Doubtless, there is continual cause to abhor ourselves, and lament our folly; but to grieve as if there were no hope, is to defpife: the mercy provided. Jefus, "mighty to fave," the compaffionate Redeemer, ftands ready to wipe away our tears, and bids us "Be of good cheer." only, without referve, fubmit to him, and depend upon him; and then we may go on our way rejoicing.'

Let us

Finally, What affections do we feel towards Jefus! Surely, the warmeft expreffions of thankfulness and. zeal are highly fuitable and becoming in those, who have obtained fuch free and extenfive forgiveness. Where Jefus is diíregarded, we can affign the realcaufe: the malignity of fin is not understood, the greatness of the debt incurred is not at all apprehended, and it is fuppofed, that there is but little, if any, Beed of remiffion. Do wE, therefore, fhew any cerof fincere and ardent love to our heavenly:

Do we feek his prefence, and delight to ufe, where Jefus is? Do we mourn bend are we willing to be at expence for Ve cannot, indeed, make any adequate compenfation;

compenfation; but do we not wish to teftify the fenfe, which we feel, of our immenfe obligations to him?"O Lord, come, and fhed abroad thy love in our hearts by the Holy Ghoft, that we may hereby be conftrained to dedicate ourselves, our fouls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and lively facrifice unto Thee, who hast loved us, and given thyself for us!" Amen.

JESUS

fhall we re forming v frankly ac

eit humi ners."

dertake

and pre like thi feet, b

treis, that "

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his fuld ind

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bi

JESUS CHRIST.

SECT. 16.

Just another circuit-healed a man
ested that miracle, against the objects at
jees-admonished and reproved them-A
raged his faithful adverents.

THE grand luminary, which vifited e the perfon of Jefus Chritt, diffuied its fplendour through a large extent. Hare would have been the men of that generation had been fenfible of their ineftimable privilege, x ing fich an Inhabitant, such a Teacher among He brought with him "good tidings of great for all people," and he laboured to diffeminate the s lodge of them far and wide. He took one circ.: afor another, in the land of Judea, publishing Tachos. Not feeking the friendship of the great, From wherever he went, and among all ranks and cha any Bufual enjoyments, but, ever intent upon b where, that he might give them an opportunity of abb pain and fatigue to himself, for the benefit of bing inftructed in the Gofpel of his grace *. Where are they, who copy after this illuftrious

work, he removed from city to

city, with confider

Cane manner, we ought to poffefs the fame fpirit, and

* Luke viii. 1—3.

be