press them to His Heart! He declares: " As I live, saith the Lord God, I desire not the death of the wicked, but that- the wicked turn from his way and Live" (Ezech. xxxiii. 11). He even says: "And then come and accuse Me, saith the Lord: if your sins be as scarlet, they shall be made as white as snow " (Is. i. 18). As though He had said: Sinners, repent of having offended Me, and then come unto Me: if I do not pardon you, " accuse Me;" upbraid Me, and treat Me as one unfaithful. But no, I will not be wanting to My promise. If you will come, know this, that though your consciences are dyed deep as crimson by your sins, I will make them by My grace as white as snow.
In a word, He has declared that when a soul repents of having offended Him, He forgets all her sins: " I will not remember all his iniquities" (Ezech. xviii. 22). As soon, then, as thou tallest into any fault, raise thine eyes to God, make an act of love, and with humble confession of thy fault, hope assuredly for His pardon, and say to Him, " Lord, behold he whom Thou lovest is sick;" that heart which Thou dost love is sick, is full of sores: "heal my soul; for I have sinned against Thee." Thou seekest after penitent sinners; behold, here is one at Thy feet, who is come in search of Thee. The evil is done already; what have I now to do? Thou wilt not have me lose courage; after this my sin Thou dost still love me, and I too love Thee. Yes, my God, I love Thee with all my heart; I repent of the displeasure I have given Thee; I purpose never to do so more. Thou, Who art that God, " merciful and gracious, patient and of much compassion," forgive me; make me to hear what Thou didst say to the Magdalene: " Thy sins are forgiven thee;" and give me strength to be faithful unto Thee for the time to come.
That thou mayest not lose courage at such a mo-
