of sin, is accompanied with a generous sorrow on account of it. "I am weary" says penitent David, "with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim: I water my couch with my tears. Mine eye is consumed because of grief."[1] This sorrow, however, is not merely a mental anguish arising from the fear of punishment, but a tender and filial grief for having sinned against the most endearing goodness, and offended the kindest and best of friends. No other consideration pierces the soul so deep and causes it to overflow with penitential sorrow, as the thought of its ingratitude and rebellion against Him who bought us with the Saviour's blood. He sums up all his guilt and crime in the penitent acknowledgement—"Against thee, thee only have I sinned."[2] This conviction of and sorrow for sin, lead to the forsaking of it. The penitent, like the prodigal in the Gospel, forms the resolution to arise from his state of wretchedness, and he is
Page:Sermons preached in the African Protestant Episcopal Church of St. Thomas', Philadelphia.djvu/226
222
a sacred nearness
[ser. xi.
