Vol. 2

324 &T. LUKE.deserved, or to the singularity of the grace, whichhas, as it were, snatched us away from sin and thedivine wrath, while so many others are consumedthereby ?" — And begin not to say within yourselves, Wehave Abraham to our father : for I say unto you, ThatGod is able of these stones to raise up children untoAbraham."Let us work out our own salvation ourselves, withoutdepending upon what otliers do for us. If wedo not imitate our fathers, their holiness will condemnus, instead of being serviceable to us, at thetribunal of God. None but God can form his ownworshippers, as none but He can make true penitents.Christ informs us by this comparison, that repentanceis a change, a transformation, and a new birth ; andthat so long as there is no appearance of new mannersand a new life, there is no conversion nor truerepentance." 9. And now also the axe is laid unto the root ofthe trees : every tree therefore which bringeth notforth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.'*There is not one moment to be lost in the businessof salvation. Whoever loses one, hazards all.The patience of God, infinite and eternal in itself,has its bounds and end in respect of sinners. Aman can abuse God's patience only in this life; butthis life is in his hands, and perhaps his arm is evennow lifted up to cut down this unprofitable tree." Every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit,"without exception, without regard to age, knowledge,dignity, or the purple wherewith a man is perhapscovered, all shall be " cut down and cast into the