HERE, however, it may be asked, why is the execution of the sanctions of the moral law ever delayed? Why does not virtue immediately receive its reward and vice its punishment? Would not such an immediate distribution of justice, give us a much more striking and rational view of the Divine government?

To this I answer, that such an immediate distribution of justice would be inconsistent, both with the nature of man, and with the character of God.

IT would be inconsistent with the nature of man; for man being designed by his Creator for happiness, must previously acquire virtuous habits, as these are absolutely requisite to the enjoyment of happiness. But such habits can be acquired only gradually. Sufficient time then must be afforded for their formation, and not an immediate punishment inflicted for every particular offence.-Were every single action, as soon as it was performed, followed with its proper reward, or punishment: were wickedness, in every instance, struck with immediate vengeance, and were good

ness always easy and prosperous, the characters of men could not be formed: virtue would be rendered interested and mercenary: some of its most important branches could not be practised: some of its brightest displays could not be exhibited. Adversity, frequently its best friend, would be for ever excluded, and all those trials removed which are necessary to train it up to maturity and perfection. And thus would the process of a moral government be disturbed, and its purpose completely defeated:

But the immediate distribution of divine justice, would be inconsistent also with the character of God.-The nature of God is not like our nature. He feels no such impetuous emotions as we feel against those who affront us, and whom we consider as our enemies. He is perfect reason, wisdom, and goodness. He is patient, and kindly waiteth for the prodigal's return.

Though the sinner doth evil an hundred times,' yet God prolongeth his days.'• He is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish; but that all should come to repentance.'-And this

we may venture to affirm, seems almost necessary; for who could flatter himself with the hope of escaping misery, were God to execute immediately his sentence against evil works; were he to make punishment instantly follow the commission of sin?

HAD punishment instantly followed the commission of sin, what would have become of David when he fell into the most nefarious crimes? It was the long-suffering, the patience of God that gave him time to repent; to recover from his infatuation; to see the horror of his sins, and under a deep sense of them to exclaim,— Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness; according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin; for I acknowledge my 'transgressions and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight, 'that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judg

est.'*-Had punishment instantly followed the commission of sin, what would have become of Manaffeh, when he was making the house of God the theatre of his dissoluteness and idolatry ;-while he was making groves, building altars for all the host of heaven,-making his son pass through the fire, and working much wickedness in the sight of the Lord?' + It was the long-suffering; the patience of God, that bore with him, that led him to humble himself, to pray fervently, and to obtain grace to enable him to become an exemplary convert.-Had punishment instantly followed the commission of sin, what would have become of St. Peter, when frightened and confounded at the sight of the judges and executioners of his Saviour, he made this false and cowardly asseveration. I know not the man?' It was the long-suffering; the patience of God, that gave him an opportunity of seeing (immediately after this shameful denial of him), the merciful look of Jesus, of fleeing from a place fatal to his innocence, of

* Psalm li, 1, 2, 3, 4. + Matt. xxvi, 74.

+ 2 Kings xxi, 3, 5, 6.

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we may venture to affirm, seems almost necessary; for who could flatter himself with the hope of escaping misery, were God to execute immediately his sentence against evil works; were he to make punishment instantly follow the commission of sin?

HAD punishment instantly followed the commission of sin, what would have become of David when he fell into the most nefarious crimes? It was the long-suffering, the patience of God that gave him time to repent; to recover from his infatuation; to see the horror of his sins, and under a deep sense of them to exclaim,

Have mercy upon me, O God, according

to thy loving-kindness; according to the 'multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin; for I acknowledge my ansgressions and my sin is ever before ne. Against thee,-thee only have I ed, and done this evil in thy sight, ou mightest be justified when thou t, and be clear when thou judg