A TREATISE AGAINST NOVATIAN. 445
fore the sightof the Lord's throne: and the books were
opened ; and another book was opened,which is[the book]
of life: and everyone was judged accordingto thosethings
that were writtenin the book,accordingto theirown works."1
Moreover, too,the apostle,giving good advice,thus exhorts
us, saying,u Let no one deceiveyou with vain words : for
because of these thingsthe wrath of God cometh upon the
childrenof disobedience.Be not partakerswith them."*
18. Let us, then, with the whole strengthof our faith,
give praiseto God ; letus giveour fullconfession,sincethe
powers of heaven rejoiceover our repentance,allthe angels
rejoice,and Christalsorejoices,who once againwith fulland
mercifulmoderationexhortsus,ladenwith sins,overwhelmed
with crimes,to ceasefrom wickedness,saying," Turn ye,and
return from your impieties,and your iniquitiesshallnot be
to you fora punishment. Cast away from you allyour im
pietieswhich ye have committed againstme ; and make to
yourselvesa new heartand a new spirit.And why do ye
deliveryourselvesover to death,O house of Israel? For I
do not desirethe death of the sinner."8 "I am He, I am He
who blot out thy crimes,and 1 will not remember them.
But do thou have in mind, and letus judge ; tellthou thy
wickednessesfirst,thatthou mayest be justified."4 While the
way of mercy, brethren,isopen,letus entreatGod with full
atonements ; letus humble ourselves,thatwe may be exalted;
let us acquiescein the divineexhortation,whereby we may
escape the day of the Lord and His anger. For thus He
says : " Look, my son,upon the nationsof men, and know
who hath hoped in the Lord, and has been confounded ; or
has remained in His commandments, and has been forsaken;
or has calledupon Him, and He has despisedhim. For the
Lord islovingand merciful,and forgivingin time of tribula
tion theirsinsto allthose that seek afterHim in truth."5
Therefore He says, " First tellthou thy sins,that thou
mayest be justified."Let there be firstin your hand that
prayer fullof confession.
* Rev.xx.11-13. sEph.v.6,7. 8 Ezek.xviii.30-32.
* Isa.xliii.25,26. 5Ecclus.ii.10,11.