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concern for the interests of a future world. Yet in that brief interval, between the sixth and the ninth hour, one of them is awakened to a sense of his spiritual state, and comes for acceptance to Him, who has promised to the weary and heavy laden the forgiveness of sins and rest to their souls; and the peace which he solicits, is instantly granted: Christ looked upon his contrition, and approved his faith; and without the delay of a moment, gives the complete assurance of rest with Himself; of admission into Paradise; and hence, of all the blessings of His spiritual and heavenly kingdom.

On what ground then, my brethren, should we despair of mercy, even to the chief of sinners? or why should we hesitate to assert, in the strongest terms, the readiness of the Son of God to welcome every one who in the true spirit of humility and faith comes to Him? Are there transgressions which He cannot pardon? Is the man who has sinned even to the eleventh hour, beyond the reach of His mercy? Does it necessarily require long solicitation or repeated entreaties, before we can hope for the favourable attention of the Redeemer? To the prayer of faith, the sigh of genuine repentance,

with unshaken confidence on the promise. In the death of his Lord, he would contemplate, not the failure of His declaration, but His entrance into Paradise; and the joy of this poor sufferer, when informed of the blessing which awaited him, would lose nothing of its influence even in the article of death. That expression, Verily I say unto thee, would be in his mind an argument irresistible, in proof that the gates of Paradise were now opening to himself; and under this impression, he would, even under the agonies of dissolving nature, dwell with delight upon the joy set before him.

This subject will suggest useful reflections in the way both of encouragement and of caution.

1. Let us notice the encouragement to be derived from it.

According to the estimate which most persons would be inclined to form of the condition of the two malefactors, who suffered on Calvary with our Lord, their situation would be regarded as almost beyond the reach of hope. They were about to close a life of guilt by a death of ignominy; and till they were now fixed to the cross, had, as we suppose, manifested no symptoms of sorrow for their crimes, and no

concern for the interests of a future world. Yet in that brief interval, between the sixth and the ninth hour, one of them is awakened to a sense of his spiritual state, and comes for acceptance to Him, who has promised to the weary and heavy laden the forgiveness of sins and rest to their souls; and the peace which he solicits, is instantly granted: Christ looked upon his contrition, and approved his faith; and without the delay of a moment, gives the complete assurance of rest with Himself; of admission into Paradise; and hence, of all the blessings of His spiritual and heavenly kingdom.

On what ground then, my brethren, should we despair of mercy, even to the chief of sinners? or why should we hesitate to assert, in the strongest terms, the readiness of the Son of God to welcome every one who in the true spirit of humility and faith comes to Him? Are there transgressions which He cannot pardon? Is the man who has sinned even to the eleventh hour, beyond the reach of His mercy? Does it necessarily require long solicitation or repeated entreaties, before we can hope for the favourable attention of the Redeemer? To the prayer of faith, the sigh of genuine repentance,

nothing is impossible: however brief the petition, however awful the situation of him who makes it, there is no sincere suppliant from whom the face of Christ will be averted; there is no time in which the Redeemer of the world is not waiting to be gracious, and to answer the cry of the needy. He is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever:* and there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all, is rich unto all that call upon Him: for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.†

2. Let us in the second place guard the subject from perversion.

The silent and practical effect of this narrative upon some minds, is to furnish an argument for deferring repentance till the world can be enjoyed no longer: such persons, without perhaps distinctly acknowledging so much even to themselves, are led, from instances of God's long-suffering mercy, to presume upon His goodness under the careless persuasion, that what has happened in other cases, and especially in one so remarkable, as that of a culprit obtaining forgiveness even in the article of death, may not improbably happen in their own

*Heb. xiii. 8.

+ Rom. x. 12, 13.

case. In so vague and dangerous a notion do men too often acquiesce; as if, under any circumstances, and at any time, they had but to ask for pardon, and God were too compassionate to refuse them!

But for what purpose, let us ask, was this history transmitted to us? was it, indeed, to encourage a spirit of presumption, and to induce us to continue in our sins till our last hour shall arrive? was it to confirm the thoughtless transgressor in his habits of iniquity? was it intended to impress us with the belief that there will be opportunity on a death-bed to make our peace with heaven, whatever be the previous character of our minds, and however great, up to that period, be our neglect of salvation; and however habitual and determined be our resistance to the truth? If that, indeed, be the intent of the narrative; if the dying thief were pardoned, and that pardon recorded, only to give encouragement to sin, then, be such the application and effect of it. Think not of repentance, while you may still have the sinful pleasures of the world: leave the care of the soul till the season when it urgently presses, and you can attend to other cares no

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