him nothing. Or perhaps this sorrow of the world produces grief, vexation, shame, remorse, and presses the soul onward and downward to despair. Dreadful result! For such despair is the very anticipation and entrance to perdition. But in godly sorrow the mercy of God in Christ is apprehended, which leads the soul to press on and pant after forgiveness. For this the true penitent comes-and cries-and pleads with all the urgency of a weary and heavy laden prisoner of hope. Not like Cain, who declared his punishment was greater than he could bear, and so departed from the presence of the Lord. Nor like Saul-nor Ahab-nor Esau-nor Judas Iscariot, who repented and went and hanged himself. These all sorrowed, but not after a godly sort. They sought no free pardon. But the true working of godly sorrow is seen in the publican who, standing afar off, smiting on his breast, cries-"God be merciful to me a sinner!" Or in David, who from the depths cries— "Have mercy upon me, O God! According to thy loving kindness. According to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions, (Ps. li.) From the depths have I cried to thee, O Lord

If thou shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared," (Ps. cxxx.)

4. Fourthly, it overcomes opposing dispositions in the soul. There is a struggle within for the mastery; the spirit lusting against the flesh, and the flesh against the spirit. The result is, that the old man with his affections and lusts is overthrown and brought into subjection. The victory is indeed never complete until death. Yet there is a real and substantial victory, in that the inward powers and faculties are bent in a new direction and to a new service; the evil passions are overcome though

not eradicated, and the affections flow in a new channel. New desires, emotions, and aspirations spring up and predominate, with an altered estimate of earthly things. "What things" says Paul-" were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of Christ Jesus, my Lord," (Gal., 3. 8.)

This is the last

5. Finally, it works a change of life. effect we specify, but do not think it least. It is the appropriate outcome of all the others. The inward change is necessarily followed by a corresponding outward change. And it is vain for men to speak of their sorrow for sin, if they are still continuing in it. If the sorrow of the thief is only that he is found out and sent to prison, we do not believe in it. The outward life must attest the genuineness of our contrition. The Pharisees and Saducees coming to John's baptism were sternly challenged. "O generation of vipers! who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance." As if he had said"Let me see you forsaking sin and following after holiness, and then I shall believe in your professions of penitence." In other words, amendment of life is an effect of godly sorrow certain and inseparable; and if there be no amendment, then the sorrow is spurious and worldly, however pungent and prolonged.

Every truly penitent soul begins at once to forsake sin. Truly sorrowing for it, and hating it, how can he live any longer therein? On the contrary, he makes

haste to enter on a course of new obedience. By the excellency of the divine law-by his sight and sense of God's supremacy, inspection, judgment-by the apprehension of mercy in Christ-by the hatred of sin awakened in him-by the self-abhorrence he feels on

account of sin, he is impelled to devote himself to the Redeemer, and consecrate his whole spirit and soul and body to his service. Paul testifies of the Corinthians"Behold this self-same thing that ye sorrowed after a godly sort. What carefulness it wrought in you! What clearing of yourselves! Yea, what indignation! Yea, what fear! Yea, what vehement desire!" The whole soul is roused up to a new life, and having entered the strait gate and narrow way, goes resolutely on in the heavenward path.

"Godly Unto sal

This is the very sentiment of our text. sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation." vation! Not mere deliverance from the curse, but emancipation from the power and pollution of sin. Obedience to God,-conformity to Christ,-communion and fellowship with him in his manifold gifts and graces, -likeness to his image and the example he hath left us, this is the repentance godly sorrow worketh. A repentance which to the end of time, and through the ages of eternity, proves a "repentance to salvation not to be repented of."

Are there any of us self-righteous men, who think they need no repentance? If there be, they are under a terrible delusion. A delusion by which, unless dispelled, they will go down to the grave with a lie in their right hand. A man's own conscience, if he will but listen to it, tells him he is guilty before God. And God's Word endorses this testimony, proclaiming in express terms-"There is none righteous, no, not one. There is none that doeth good, no, not one.

All have sinned, and come short of the glory of

God," (Romans iii.)

There are many, indeed, who know and feel they are sinners, and yet are careless of repentance. Others put

it off to the distant future as an evil day that cannot be too long deferred. Alas! if the day they dream of ever come, they are farther than ever from repentance. If such men ever enter the kingdom of God, they must repent of their procrastination. But whether they hear or forbear, the call of God is "now!" Now is the accepted. time! To-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. The command of God to all men everywhere is to repent. And it is enforced with the terrible alternative that otherwise nothing in heaven or earth can save us. From the lips of the Redeemer comes the appalling announcement-"I tell you, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." God now waits to be gracious,-Christ in his gospel calls, and the Holy Spirit strives with men, saying-"Turn ye, turn ye, why will ye die!" But God will not wait forever, nor Christ call forever, nor the Holy Spirit strive forever with men. And what then? "Ye die," saith God. Men die in their sins, and the door for repentance is shut forever, and they are driven away in their wickedness.

Brethren, as professing Christians, we profess repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And to us this day godly sorrow is specially appropriate and incumbent in view of the privilege we are soon to enjoy of sitting at the table of the Lord. As individuals, as families, and as a congregation, there is much for which we should be deeply humbled before God. In order to the right observance of the Lord's Supper, it is important that we be exercised unto godly sorrow of heart. For the ordinance is not for men. merely as men, nor for men merely as sinners, but for men as penitent, repenting sinners. And if we are truly penitent, our sins-whatever their number, guilt and aggravation are blotted out, and we are welcome to

this ordinance and will assuredly find it profitable to our souls. It is an appointed means by which the Saviour fulfils his own gracious beatitude-"Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted." And hereafter our experience shall be a fulfilment and realization of the glorious truth of our text-that godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of.

Then is Sung PSALM XC. 14-17.

WITH thy tender mercies, Lord,
us early satisfy;

So we rejoice shall all our days,
and still be glad in thee.

According as the days have been,
wherein we grief have had,
And years wherein we ill have seen,
so do thou make us glad.

O let thy work and pow'r appear
thy servant's face before;

And show unto thy children dear
thy glory evermore.

And let the beauty of the Lord

our God be us upon :
Our handy-works establish thou,
establish them each one.

Let us Pray.

WE give thee thanks, O Lord, for what thou hast taught us concerning the privilege and duty of repentance. Follow with thy blessing the preaching of the Word.