"Let us show ourselves penitents in turning from sin to God. There are some persons I have little hope to prevail with. Let the trumpet of the word sound never so shrill, let threatenings be thundered out against them, let some flashes of hell-fire be thrown in their faces, yet they will have their way at sinning. These persons seem to be like the swine in the Gospel, carried down by the devil violently into the sea. They will rather damn than turn: 'They hold fast deceit, they refuse to return,' (Jer. 8:5). But if there be any candour or sobriety in us, if conscience be not cast into a deep sleep, let us listen to the voice of the charmer, and turn to God our supreme good.
"How often does God call upon us to turn to Him? He swears, 'As I live, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked: turn, turn from your evil ways,' (Ezek. 33:11). God would rather have our repenting tears than our blood.
"Turning to God makes for our profit. Our repentance is of no benefit to God, but to ourselves. . . . "
