A TREATISE AGAINST NOVATIAN. 437 prophet alsoexhorts,and says," Be convertedunto me with allyour heart,in fasting,and weeping, and mourning ; and rend your hearts,and not your garments ; be ye convertedto the Lord your God : for He is merciful,and one who pities with greatcompassion? " 1 10. Thus we have heard that the Lord isof great com passion. Let us hear what the Holy Spirittestifiesby David : " If his childrenforsakemy law,and walk not in my commandments ; if they should profane my righteous ness, and should not keep my precepts; I willvisittheir crimes with a rod,and theirsinswith stripes.But my mercy will I not utterlydispersefrom them."2 Words like to thesewe read that the Lord saidalsoby Ezekiel: " Son of man, the house of Israelhas dwelt on itsown land,and they have defiledit by theircrimes: theiruncleannesshas become likethatof a menstruous woman beforemy face. I have poured out my anger upon them, and I have scattered them among the nations; and I have judged them according to theirsins,because they have defiledmy holy name ; and because itwas saidof them, This is the peopleof the Lord, I have spared them, because of my holy name, which the house of Israeldespisedamong the nations."3 And in con junctionwith thishe says," Therefore say to the peopleof Israel,Thus saiththe Lord, I spare you not, O house of Israel; but I willspare you on account of my holy name, which ye have defiledamong the nations: and ye shallknow that I am the Lord, when I shallbe sanctifiedin you." Also the Lord to the same : " Son of man, say unto the people of Israel,Wherefore have ye spoken,saying,We are pining away in our sins,and how shallwe be able to be saved ? Say unto them, I live,saiththe Lord : forI do not desirethe death of the sinner; but I desirethat the sinner should turn from hisevilway, and live: thereforereturn ye from your evilway : why do ye give yourselvesover to death,O house of IsraelV* So,too,by Isaiahthe prophet: u I willnot be angry with you forever,nor willI abstain 1Joelii.12,13. 3 Pa.lxxxix.30 etseq.s Ezek.xxxvi.17-23. * Ezek.xxxiii.10,11.