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.