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peace of conscience, rest, and consolation of heart: "For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength." "I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him, and to his mourners He also heals, by subduing that sad propensity to hackslide, which is the grief of every penitent, the burthen of every true believer. Such a man wishes not only to return unto the Lord, but to "cleave unto him with purpose of heart;" and he reads with pleasure, he pleads with faith, the inestimable promise, "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely; for mine anger is turned away from him." "I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from met." In this healing there is evidently a display of Almighty power, Divine compassion, the exceeding riches of Jehovah's grace; and all through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. In him, and in his blood, in his obedience unto death, we see the way of pardon, the price of peace, the balm that heals the wounded spirit, that all-sufficiency of sacred, celestial influence, which secures and completes our conquest. "Thanks

be to God, who giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ ."

We have still to notice,

III. The obedient REPLY of these persons. "Behold! we come unto thee, for thou art the Lord our God."-This is just as it should be, and as it always must be, when the friendly calls of God

* Is. xxx. 15; lvii. 18.

+ Hos. xiv. 4. Jer. xxxii. 40. + 1 Cor. xv. 57.

are regarded, and his precious promises received. Their proper influence is to touch the heart; to allure, and even to constrain to the reply, "Behold! we come unto thee, for thou art the Lord our God." Observe,

1. This reply is practical: "We come unto thee."-As the prodigal : he did not spend his time in fruitless wishes, or satisfy himself with good intentions and right resolutions: his language was, "I will arise, and go to my father." Immediately, "he arose, and came to his father." Go you, and do likewise. Return to your offended Father, to the Lord your God: approach him in the simplicity and sincerity of your heart: come unto him, even to his seat, by faith and prayer; and yield yourselves unto him. There are many good desires conceived, and laudable resolutions formed, but let yours be carried into effect. Let it be seen that you regard the voice of God, by a practical compliance with what he requires.

2. The reply is prompt; made with the utmost readiness, and given without the least demur. The call is, "Return;" the answer instantly subjoined is, "Behold, we come."-It reminds us of the promptness of the Psalmist, in his compliance with the voice of Heaven: "When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek." Here was no hesitation; why should there? it was not less his interest than his duty immediately and cordially to obey. The Prophet Hosea mentions some whose spirit we condemn, whose partial repentance and defective resolution merit decided censure : they return, but not to the Most High; they

* Psalm xxvii. 3.

are like a deceitful bow*." There was need, therefore, of the remonstrance urged on the same people, in the beginning of the next chapter; "If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the Lord, return unto me.' An affecting instance of irresolution and delay we have in Felix, the Roman governor: "Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for theet." And in the case of those persons mentioned by the Evangelist Luke; Jesus said unto one, "Follow me :" what he ought to have replied is evident, but he excused himself thus; "Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father." Another was sufficiently prompt in his determination, but still there was something of lingering suspense in its execution: "Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell who are at home at my house." And is it so, that following the Saviour clashes with the clear calls of humanity, and requires a separation from earthly friends? No. The language of these men was mere evasion, and their spirit that of blameable demur.

And is there nothing in the undecided character of many in the present day which deserves reproof? Is there nothing in the halting pace, the tardy progress of multitudes, which merits severe reprehension? Do you say, each for himself, "I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. I made haste, and delayed not, to keep thy commandments. I will run in the way of thy commandments when thou shalt enlarge my heart."

3. The reply is deliberate. The note of attention intimates this; "Behold! we come."-Though the penitent believer is ready, he is not rash; though, Luke ix. 59, 61.

Hos. vii. 16. + Acts xxiv. 25.

under the influence of Divine grace, he soon determines, he does it advisedly; his repentance is of that kind which never needs to be repented of.

Think of this concern

While, therefore, we urge you to act with firmness in your return to God, yet act with consideration. View the subject on all sides, count the cost, and determine from decided preference. Moses did so; "choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." Joshua recommended the children of Israel to do so : "Serve ye the Lord; and, if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose ye this day whom ye will serve." Elijah, also, when he "came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." The point with you is, whether to go on in sin, to revolt yet more and more, or to arise and return to God. with the seriousness which you are conscious it deserves. Deliberate, and decide. Let men and angels know the result; "Behold! we come unto thee." 4. The reply is unanimous. Not that of a solitary individual, or two, but of many; and they speak as with one heart and one mouth; "We come unto thee."-It reminds us of the words, " Draw me: we will run after thee *." Here is the prayer and resolution of the Church: she prays as one person, actuated by one spirit; draw me: she resolves as many persons, answering, with cheerful concurrence, we will run after thee. And thus is accomplished that promise; "Then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent †." Yes, whatever

shades of difference there may be, in lesser matters, among penitent believers, in this they are agreed, to return to God; in this they are of one heart and of one soul, to yield themselves unto him. How lovely when this is the case! how desirable to witness the work of conversion prevail in our worshipping assemblies! how unspeakably pleasing to see whole families forsaking the paths of sinful indifference to join themselves to the service of the Lord! to see husband and wife, parents and children, masters and servants, actuated by the same spirit, animated by the same hope, saying to God, in answer to his kind and pressing call, "Behold! we come unto thee, for

thou art the Lord our God!"

5. The reply springs from a clear conviction of duty, interest, and obligation.—The words are very remarkable: "Thou art the Lord our God." It is the language of faith, and hope, and love; especially of gratitude, and self-dedication. "Ephraim shall say," when brought to his right mind, "What have I to do any more with idols?" The whole race of backsliding children, when humbled for their sin, and led to renounce their foolish dependencies, shall confess; "O Lord our God, other lords besides thee have had dominion over us; but by thee only will we make mention of thy namet." Here is plainly, in the text, a recognition of covenant relationship; "Thou art the Lord our God." He had revealed himself to them in this exalted and endearing character; they had professedly given themselves to him. On his part, there had been the tenderest expressions of condescension and favour; on theirs, the most solemn declarations of allegiance and love;

* Hos. xiv, 8. + Is. xxvi. 13.