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  COME TO JESUS  (Continued)  

"WHAT IS MEANT BY COMING TO JESUS."

"Much is said of coming to Jesus, but how can I come? He is in heaven, and how can I go there to speak to him? I am told he is also everywhere, but I cannot see him, and how can I go to him? If he were but on earth as he once was, there is no trouble I would not take. I would sell all I possess to pay for my journey; I would travel hundreds of miles. No difficulties should daunt me. I would set off at once. I would go to him and push my way through the crowd, as the sick used to do, in order to be healed. I would fall down before him, and lay hold of his garment, or embrace his feet; and I would say, 'Lord Jesus, save me. I came not to be healed of blindness or lameness, or leprosy, but of sin. My heart is diseased with iniquity. I am in danger of God's wrath, and of eternal damnation. Lord, save me, I perish.' But alas, Jesus is no longer among us, and I cannot understand what is meant by coming to him." Dear reader, do all this in thy heart, and then you will come to Jesus. What do you think would be the advantage of going to him, and falling before him, and holding his garment, and speaking to him as the sick and the lame used to do? Would it not be to let him know your wants? These he knows already. Without all this trouble, you can make him understand that you wish him to save you. Think of him, let your heart feel respecting him, and let your cries ascend to him, just as if you saw him. Be as earnest as if there was a crowd round him which you wished to push through. Call to him as that blind mandid, who, though he saw him not, cried out, "Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me!" You are better off than they who lived when he dwelt on earth. They had often to journey far. They sometimes could not get near him for the press of people. But you may have him as much to yourself as if there were no other sinner that needed him. He is always near and within call; and though you cannot see him, he sees you, knows all you feel, and hears all you say. Coming to Jesus is the desire of the heart after him. It is to feel our sin and misery; to believe that he is able and willing to pardon, comfort, and save us; to ask him to help us, and to trust in him as our Friend. To have just the same feelings and desires as if he were visibly present, and we came and implored him to bless us, is to come to him, though we do not see his face nor hear his voice. Repenting sinner, your very desire for pardon, your prayer, "Jesus, save me"-- this is coming to him.

COME BY PRAYER.

Though you cannot see Jesus, you can speak to him. You can pray. God has permitted, and even commanded us to do this. How great a privilege to be allowed to speak to God. "Call upon me in the day of trouble." "Watch and pray." "Pray without ceasing." Prayer requires no fine, well-arranged sentences. The simplest utterance of your heart's desire is prayer. Those desires, themselves, unbreathed, are prayer. You need not wait until you can enter a church to pray; you may pray everywhere. And Jesus is always waiting for the prayers of poor sinners; so that not one ever escapes his notice. His ear is always open. It is difficult to speak to kings and princes: they can only be seen sometimes, and then only a few persons are permitted to come near them. But all may come with their petitions to Jesus, however poor and despised, and at all times too. Whatever good things you want for the soul, pray. For pardon, for a new heart, for faith, for holiness, for comfort, pray. You cannot pray in vain. You may be sure of such prayers being answered. There are some things which even God cannot do. He cannot sin, and he cannot refuse to listen to a poor sinner's prayer, for he has promised. "Ask, and it shall be given you," said Jesus: and his word declares, "He cannot deny himself." Be then encouraged to pray. However vile and helpless you think you are, you are not too bad to pray. Pray, if you can only utter such a petition as this, "Save, Lord, or I perish!" Make a habit of prayer. Find some place where you can be alone. "When thou prayest, enter into the closet, and shut the door." Rise before the work of the day begins, that you may have time to pray. Lay open your heart before God. Tell him how vile, and helpless, and wretched you are. Confess your sins, and cry for pardon. Read the Bible, and ask for that holiness which is commended there. Say, "Lord, I am ignorant, teach me. My heart is hard, soften it. Convert me by thy Holy Spirit. Help me to come to Jesus--to believe, love, and obey him. Save me from sin, and fit me for heaven!" And let your heart throughout the day often ascend to God, even while engaged in your necessary labor. "Pray without ceasing." If the answer does not seem to come at once, pray on, and success is certain. A praying soul can never be lost. You cannot perish while you are sincerely calling upon Jesus, saying, "Lord, have mercy upon me a sinner."

See Ps. 55:17; 65:2; 102:17; Matt. 6:5, 6; Luke 18:1-14; Acts 10:9; Phil. 4:6; 1 Thess. 5:17.

COME IN THE BOLDNESS OF PRAYER.

It is wonderful that creatures so sinful as we are, should be allowed to pray at all. When we consider what we are, and what God is, we may well tremble when we come to him, and fear lest he should reject us. But he has encouraged us to come, even with "boldness, to the throne of grace." This does not mean that we are to come without deep reverence and humility, but that we are to pray with a full persuasion that God will answer us. There are many examples of answers to prayer. Hezekiah prayed, and the army of Sennacherib was smitten with death. Elijah prayed, and fire came down to consume his sacrifice. The apostles prayed, and the Holy Ghost descended upon them with miraculous gifts. The church prayed, and Peter was delivered from prison by an angel. We are not to expect that all we ask for respecting this life will be given us, for we often desire what would do us harm. We may be sure, however, that God will give us what is best. But when we pray for blessings for our souls-- for pardon, and holiness, and salvation--we may be quite certain of being answered; for we are told, that if we ask anything according to God's will, he heareth us; and we are also told, that God is "willing that all men should be saved." Jesus said, "Ask, and it shall be given;" and, "Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do." He prays for us. Our best prayers are far too unworthy for God to notice, but he listens because Jesus pleads. lf you wrote a petition to a king, but none at the palace knew you, and you were dressed in rags, and after doing your best, the writing was covered with blots, would you not fear that you would never be admitted, or if you were, that the petition would not be read? But suppose the king's son were to come, and say, "I will present your petition myself, and ask my father to grant it." Jesus does this. He presents our feeble prayers, and says, "For my sake, bless this poor sinner, and grant his request." And we are told that "him the Father heareth always." "He ever liveth to make intercession." Trembling, mourning sinner, rejoice. You have a friend at court. However unworthy your petitions are, Jesus prays for you, and his prayers always prevail. What more can you need to encourage you? Come then with "boldness to the throne of grace, that you may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

See 1 Kings 18:21-39; 2 Kings 19; Matt. 7:7-11; John 14:13, 14; 17; Acts 1:13, 14; 2:1-4; 12:5-17; Heb. 4:14-16; 7:25; 1 John 5:14.

COME IN FAITH.

In the New Testament we read very much about faith. We are said to be "justified by faith," and "saved by faith," and are told to "believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, that we may be saved." Faith is confidence, reliance. If I am hungry, and a kind friend offers me something and says it is bread, but it is dark, and I cannot see, yet, if I begin at once to eat it, this is faith. I trust in his word. If I am sick, and medicine is given me which I am told will do me good, and I drink it, this is faith. I believe or have confidence in the doctor's skill. Jesus came into the world to die for sinners. He says, "Believe in me. I have purchased a full pardon for you, and you may go free. It cost my own blood to obtain it, but you are freely welcome to it. If you will obey my words, and trust in my protection, I will engage to save you from death and hell: I am quite able to do this. Here is bread to eat, which will make you live for ever if you eat it; here is a medicine which will cure your soul's sickness that you shall never die. Come unto me--believe in me, and you shall be saved." Faith is just trusting to what Jesus says. Faith is simply coming to Jesus. He has died for thee. Believe it, and take the benefit of his dying. He has opened the prison door for thee. Believe it, and make thine escape. He is willing to bear thy burden for thee. Believe it, and cast thy sins upon him. He has paid all thy debts. Rejoice. He brings salvation to thee, and says, "It shall be thine, if thou are willing." Stretch forth thy hand, take it with a grateful heart. Like the prodigal in the parable, thou hast wandered far from home; but Jesus has obtained for thee permission to return. Thy Father, for his sake, is willing to welcome thee back. Believe it, and say, "I will arise and go to my Father." You desire to be trusted by your husband, or wife, or children; you would feel hurt by their doubting your word. So Jesus wishes to be believed when he says, "Poor sinner, I am able and willing to save thee. Come unto me." Do not grieve him by distrusting his word. If you do not come because you think you are too great a sinner, you say, in effect, that he is not able to save you, though he tells us, "he is able to save to the uttermost ALL who come." You make him a liar. Believe that he really will do what he promises. Go to him at once. Say to him, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. Thou art able to save to the uttermost--save me."

See John 3:14-48; Acts 16:30, 31; Rom. 5:1; Heb. 11.

COME AS A SINNER--JUST AS YOU ARE.

Perhaps you say, "How can I, who am so vile a sinner, venture to come near the holy Jesus? Will he permit such a wretch to approach him? Must I not wait till I am more fit?" Dear fellow-sinner, your very sinfulness is your best fitness. What you think to be a hinderance is your best encouragement; for, "Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners," and therefore to save such as you. "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Not that there are any who are really righteous, but there are many who think themselves so, and such persons will never be received by Christ. We must come to him in our true character, if we come at all. We are great sinners. We have broken God's laws. We have indulged in wickedness in our hearts, as well as in open conduct; we have quenched the Spirit, and despised the love of Jesus. Everything we do is full of imperfection. We cannot make ourselves pure. And if we come to Jesus pretending we are righteous, we only mock him. Instead of thinking we are "rich, and increased in goods, and have need of nothing," we must come as those who are "poor, and miserable, and blind, and naked." Thus we must come to Jesus, and confess our unworthiness. In one of his parables he spoke of a self-righteous man, who thanked God that he was better than others; and of a broken-hearted penitent, who did not venture to raise his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" It was the latter who went home pardoned and saved. And if we would be accepted by Jesus, we must go to him in the same spirit, saying, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" And we must not wait, thinking that we shall ever be more worthy. No, our souls are stained through and through with sin, and all our washing will never get rid of one dark spot. The blood of Christ alone can make us clean. We can never make ourselves better. We must come to Jesus to make us better; and till then nothing is done. Our very first duty is to come to Jesus. Come then, poor sinner. Wait not another moment, foolishly thinking you will be more fit by and by. You will never be more fit, and never more welcome, than at this moment. Jesus knows, far better than even you do, how sinful and vile you are; yet he does not say, "Wait," but "Come." Come then, with all your sins and weakness, and hardness of heart, come to Jesus. Come as a sinner, and come just as you are.

See Psalm 51; Matt. 9:10-13; Luke 18:9-14; 1 Tim. 1:15; Rev. 3:17, 18.

"BUT I AM NOT WORTHY, AND CANNOT COME ARIGHT."

If you imagine that any sinner is worthy of salvation, you quite mistake the nature of the gospel. It is a free gift, not a reward. No one is worthy. Paul, Peter, John were not worthy. But Jesus is so full of love that, unworthy as we all are, he invites us to come. If he makes our sin no objection, why should we? Jesus knows that filthy rags cover you, that a nauseous disease infects you; yet he says, "Come unto me." On account of these very things, he says, Come. How unreasonable, then, for you to refuse because you are unworthy. You might as well say you were too hungry to eat, or too poor to receive help, as that you are too unworthy to come for pardon. Your very unworthiness makes you welcome. But you say you cannot come as you ought. Then come as you can. Jesus did not say, "Come unto me running or walking upright," but simply, "Come." Come in any manner, and you will be received. Come creeping, crawling--any way--only come. You say you do not repent enough. You never will; for penitence, like all other graces, is ever growing, and no one's penitence can equal his sins. But we are not saved because we repent enough, but, if we do repent at all, we are saved because Jesus died. You say you have not love enough. You never will have, till you get to heaven. But we are saved, not because we love God, but because he loves us. You say you have not faith enough. True, and every Christian needs to pray, "Lord, increase my faith." But if you truly look to Jesus for salvation, this is faith; and though very weak, none who possess it can perish. But perhaps you say your heart is totally hard, and therefore that your mere cries of distress are not prayers which God can accept. Be encouraged by the case of Simon Magus. "His heart was not right in the sight of God;" he was "in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity;" yet Peter said, "Pray God, if perhaps the thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee," which means, "If you indeed pray to God, your sins will be forgiven." Your condition cannot be worse than his; yet he was encouraged to come to Jesus. Come with a broken heart, he may heal it; or as Leighton says, " If thou find it unbroken, yet give it him, with a desire that it may be broken." However unable to come aright, make the effort: come as you can, only come; and Jesus will not, cannot reject you.

See Isa, 1:1-18; Acts 2:22, 23, 36-42; 3:13-19, 26; 8:18 -23; Rev. 22:17.

"BUT I FEAR I AM NOT ONE OF THE ELECT."

You have no cause for this fear but your own fancy. Has God, or an angel, or the Bible told you so? Election, whatever it means, is God's work, not yours. Do not perplex yourself with his secret counsels, but attend to your own plain duties. "Secret things belong unto God; but those which are revealed belong unto us, that we may do all the words of this law." We must leave the secret things, and attend to the revealed. Our duty is to do according to God's law. And this law is most clear. You are nowhere told you are not elect; but you are told that Jesus died for you, and you are invited to come to him. Vex your mind, then, no longer about such difficult subjects as election, but promptly obey what God commands. He says," Cast away from you all your transgressions, and make you a new heart and a new spirit. Turn ye from your evil ways. Repent, and believe the gospel. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out." Do what God says, and your salvation will be sure. Suppose you were very poor, and a rich man were to announce that he would give a pound to a hundred persons whose names no one knew but himself, but at the same time promised that he would give it to every one who applied for it; would you say, "I am afraid I am not among the favored number, therefore I will not ask for the money?" No; you would rather say, "Whether I am among the hundred or not, every one is invited, and therefore I will go." Do the same respecting eternal life. Do not sit still, teasing yourself with useless inquiries whether your name is in God's book. Are you a sinner? "Oh yes." Well, then you are invited; for "Jesus came to save sinners," and " he is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world." The invitation is universal. "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Jesus said not, "Come unto me, ye whose names are in the book of life," but, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden." Are you heavy laden with sin? Then come to Jesus and your salvation is certain. Come to Jesus, and then you may be sure your name will be found in the book of life. Come to Jesus, and you will be received as one of the elect; but if you stay away, you will perish.

See Deut. 29:29; Ezek. 18:31; Joel 2:12, 13; Mark 1:15; 1 John 2:2.

"BUT I HAVE NO FAITH."

"I do not feel my sins forgiven, and I am not sure I am saved. Many say they know the time when they found salvation, and that they have an inward witness that all is right with them. They have found peace; but I have not. I am full of doubts and fears, have no faith, and therefore fear Jesus will never receive me." My friend, you confound two things which greatly differ, faith and assurance. You have been speaking of assurance, not of faith. It is very delightful to feel sure of pardon and heaven; but it is quite possible not to feel this, and yet to possess faith. Faith is coming to Jesus as a poor sinner, and trusting to him alone for salvation. Assurance is feeling certain we are saved. They are quite different things. Faith is necessary for salvation, but assurance is not. Many people possess an assurance which is false, while they are destitute of faith; and many also have true faith, but do not enjoy assurance. Suppose you were shipwrecked, and clinging to a part of the vessel over which the waves were furiously breaking. A life-boat comes out to you. It is so well built that it cannot possibly sink. The rowers are so skillful that they never failed to bring it safe to shore. They invite you to enter. You know that the vessel you cling to will soon be dashed to pieces. You believe the boat will take you safe to shore. You enter it. But when the huge waves toss it up and down, and seem about to overwhelm it, you are afraid, and perhaps do not lose your fear till you reach the shore. Getting into the boat was faith--being afraid while in it was the want of assurance. But though frightened, you were as safe as the rowers who had no fears. Your terrors did not endanger your safety, though it destroyed your peace. We are in a storm. Our sins have raised up the winds and waves of divine justice. The law thunders it curses against us. Hell yawns below. Jesus is like the life-boat. He comes out to us and invites us to forsake all our own refuges, which are as frail as a sinking wreck, and to cast ourselves on him. Trusting in him alone is faith, though when you think of your sins and infirmities you may be full of doubts and fears, and often think you are not safe. Take encouragement then, trembling sinner. Do you feel yourself lost without Jesus; and is it your earnest prayer, "Save, Lord, or I perish?" Then, whatever your gloomy doubts, you do possess faith, saving faith--that faith of which Paul spoke when he said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." None can perish who thus come to Jesus.

YE WHO ARE YOUNG COME.

Youthful reader, be persuaded to give your early years to God. There is a special promise for you: "Those that seek me early shall find me." Perhaps you think, "I am too young to be religious yet; let me enjoy the world a little; I have plenty of time before me." Too young to be religious? But you are not too young to sin, or too young to die, or too young to be cast into hell. You may not live to reach manhood, much less old age. Multitudes die as young as you. If you enter a burial-ground, how many of the graves are those of young people. Death may be even now preparing to strike you. Oh then come at once to Jesus. You greatly err, if you think religion will make you gloomy. It alone can render you truly happy. Many young people have tried it, who will all tell you that the pleasures of piety are far better than all the delights of sin and vanity. You will find that this is true, if you come to Jesus. It is likely he will let his followers be less happy than the servants of the world? Besides, how can you dare to live a day longer rejecting him? He commands us at once to believe and obey him. Every day we put off repentance we commit a fresh act of rebellion, and treasure up wrath against the day of wrath. You say you will repent when you are old. But we need the Spirit of God to help us to repent; and if you say, "While I am young I will serve Satan, and not till I am near death will I turn to God," do you think God will give you his Holy Spirit at all? Is not this to quench the Spirit? May you not become quite careless, and indisposed to repent? Very few are converted when old. If you come not to Jesus when you are young, it is not likely you will come at all. Habit will fasten strong chains around you, which will be harder to burst asunder every day. While you wait, Satan works. He is busy tying knots. You are his prisoner; and he is making the cords which bind you more and more secure. Whenever you sin he ties another knot. Every impression you smother, every hour you delay, adds a fresh knot. If you do not escape now, how can you expect to break loose when you are weaker, and your fetters stronger? Oh then, "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth." Come at once to Jesus, if you wish to come at all. He will be your guide amid the snares, your comfort amid the sorrows, your guardian amid the dangers of life. Lose not for one day the privilege of possessing such a friend. Say from this moment, "My Father, thou art the guide of my youth."

Prov. 3:1-24; 4; 8:17; Eccles. 12:1.

YE WHO ARE ADVANCING IN YEARS, AND YE WHO ARE AGED, COME.

With you the morning of life is over. You have reached the mountain top, or are traveling down the valley on the other side. You are rapidly drawing nearer the tomb. Perhaps you are still busily occupied in the necessary labors of life; or inclination and the love of gain may involve you in many engrossing cares. But forget not the "one thing needful." We can do without any thing else, even life itself; but we cannot do without Jesus. The salvation of the soul is the one thing needful. You have been busy for many years in the concerns of this life, but as yet have found no time for religion. Your chief business is not even begun. But what trifles are all things else in comparison. In a few years it will be of no consequence whether we were rich or poor; but it will be of infinite consequence whether we come to Jesus or not. Multitudes have died around you. Neighbors and friends, many with whom you were at school, or started in life, are in their graves. You have been spared. But you might have been cut down as a barren tree--unprepared. God's forbearance may be almost spent. Soon the sentence may be pronounced, "Cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?" Perhaps you are advanced in years. My aged friend, how many solemn warnings did you prepare. Your wrinkled features, whitening hair, decaying strength, loudly tell you that the end is near. You are tottering on the edge of the grave. The young may live many years, but you cannot. Soon, very soon, you must die. Oh, how dreadful to stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, and give an account of a long life spent in rejecting him--of thousands of Sabbaths and sermons and privileges neglected. O then come to Jesus now. Lose not a moment. You have not one to spare. You have indeed hardened your heart, and made repentance more difficult by neglecting religion so long; but if you earnestly implore the help of God's Holy Spirit, he will grant your petition even now. It is not too late. Though you have so long refused to listen to him, Jesus has not ceased to speak to you. Still he says, "Come unto me." He loves you still. He is waiting to save you still. Oh, trifle with him no longer. Look back. Death comes striding after you with rapid steps; he is very near. Judgment is close behind, and hell follows. They are on the point of seizing you. Flee this moment to Christ. Come to Jesus. He alone can save.

See Matt. 6 :19-24; Luke 10: 40-42; 13:6-9.

BACKSLIDER, COME.

YOURS is a peculiar case; for you have already come to Jesus, but have wandered from him. You have been near, but now you are afar off. Your sin is very great. You have experienced something of the love of Christ, yet have forsaken him. You have enjoyed clearer light and greater advantages than those who have never known what religion is. You have been admitted within the fold, and tasted the sweet pasture with which the good Shepherd feeds his flock, yet you have strayed from the sacred enclosure. Your declension began perhaps in secret, by restraining prayer, and neglecting God's word. Or you yielded to some temptation, but did not go to Christ for pardon, and so you became gradually careless. You may still maintain an outward profession of piety, but your heart is not right in the sight of God. Perhaps you have plunged into worldly dissipations, and are an example of the saying, "If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." Perhaps even worse, you have fallen into open sin, and brought public disgrace on the name of Christian. You have lost all those opportunities of doing good which, had you not been a backslider, you would have improved. Thus you have robbed God. You have discouraged other professors by your coldness and inconsistency, and been a hinderance to many who were inquiring, "What must I do to be saved?" Instead of being a blessing to others, you have been a curse. And what is more you have grieved the Holy Spirit, have crucified the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. Yet Jesus, the kind Shepherd whose fold you have left, is willing to welcome you back. He seeks the sheep that have gone eastray. He says, "O Israel return unto the Lord thy God. Say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously. I will heal their backslidings, I will love them freely; for mine anger is turned away. Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backsliding, for I am merciful. Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God. Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord!"

Consider these kind words. Ponder well the parable of the prodigal son. What greater encouragement can you need? Though you have wandered from Jesus, you may come to him again. He is as willing to receive you as at first. Stop, then, in your backward career. Return unto the Lord; for "why will ye die?"

See Psalm 119:176, Jer. 3:12-14, 22; Hosea 14; 1-4: Luke 15.

DESPAIRING SINNER, COME.

PERHAPS you say, "The mercy of God is for others, not for me. I have been too vile. I have abused the greatest privileges, and stifled the strongest convictions. I have fought against God, and committed crimes I shudder to think of. There can be no pardon for me." Listen, sinner: God says, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow." "As I live, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that he turn and live. Turn ye, turn ye: for why will ye die?" Listen, sinner: "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin." ALL sin, and therefore yours. Listen: "He is able to save to the uttermost ALL who come unto God by him." And therefore YOU. Listen: "Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am CHIEF." He saves the chief of sinners, and therefore can save you. David, who had committed murder--Peter, who denied him--the thief on the cross--thousands who cried, "Crucify him"--Paul the persecutor--were all saved. And He who saved them is able to save you. Do you fear you have committed the unpardonable sin? Your anxiety is a sure proof you have not committed it. Whatever that sin is, it is certain that if any one were to commit it, he would never feel any true penitence for it. For the Bible in every page tells us, that all who repent shall be forgiven, that all who seek mercy shall find it; and Jesus says, "Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out," that is, on no account whatever. So that we may be quite sure that no penitent sinner who comes to Jesus for pardon, has committed sins which cannot be forgiven. God is bound by his promise and oath to "abundantly pardon" every sinner who comes to Jesus for salvation; but still you may say, "I am a lost sinner." A brother of the celebrated Whitefield was at tea with Lady Huntington, who endeavored to cheer his despairing soul by speaking of the infinite mercy of Christ. "My lady," said he, "it is true; I see it clearly: but there is no mercy for me; I am a wretch entirely lost." "I am glad to hear it, glad at my heart that you are a lost man," was her reply. "What, my lady; glad that I am a lost man?" "Yes, Mr. Whitefield, truly glad, for Jesus Christ came into the world to save the lost." That word cheered his soul. He believed in Jesus, and soon after died in peace. Sinner, rejoice; Jesus came to save the lost--to save thee.

See Isa. 1:18; Ezek. 18:30-32; 33:11; Luke 19:10; John 6:37; 1 Tim. 1:15; Heb. 7:25; 1 John 1:7.

CARELESS SINNER, COME.

WHAT, a rebel against God--hastening now towards death--doomed to hell--yet careless? Reader, are you one of those who are so busy with the trifles of this world as to pay no attention to the eternal realities of the next? Listen to the startling question of Jesus. Ponder it. "What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Suppose you saw a crowd walking along a meadow, at the end of which was a terrific precipice. They pass on merrily, plucking flowers, till, as they reach the edge, one after another falls over, and is dashed to pieces. Would you not call to them, "Stop, stop! as you value your lives, turn back?" You are strolling onwards to a far more terrible fate. Yawning beneath you is the lake of fire--and do you still go forward? Jesus calls to you, "Turn ye, turn ye; why will ye die?" But you see not the danger. You feel happy, and hope it will be all right with you hereafter. Have you never seen how smooth the stream is just before it leaps down the cataract? Such is your peace, soon to be broken by a fatal plunge into endless woe. Many poisons are pleasant to the taste, and soothe those who drink into sweet slumbers, but from these slumbers they never awake. You are quaffing Satan's cup of death. What you think pleasant drink is deadly poison; and your unconcern about religion is the sign how dreadfully it is operating on your soul. Beware, lest you wake up in the flames of hell. Before it is too late shake off this lethargy. Your house is on fire; the roof will soon fall in and crush you. But you sit at ease, amused with trifles, and neglecting every warning. Many cry "fire, fire--fly for your life." But you pay no attention to the alarm. Jesus offers himself as a refuge, but in vain. Yet, though you regard it not, you are in danger. In danger you draw every breath. Danger is your traveling companion when you journey, and danger haunts your home. Danger hovers over you during the bustle of the day, and danger peeps between your curtains amid the silence of night. You may be prosperous, beloved, flattered, and thoughtless; but you are in danger. You may drown reflection in business, or by plunging deeper and deeper into worldly dissipation and sin; but you are in danger--in danger of wrath, death, hell. Oh flee to Jesus. There only we are safe. Escape by the door of salvation, while it is yet open; for it will soon be shut, and then you will knock in vain.

See Eccles. 11:9; Ezek. 3:17-19; 33:1-19; Mark 8:34-38; Luke 12:16-21; 2 Pet. 3:1-12.

COME NOW: IT WILL BE HARDER WORK TO-MORROW.

Perhaps you think it will be as easy to repent at any future time as to-day. This is a most dangerous delusion. Impressions of all kinds wear away by repetition, unless they are made permanent by being acted upon. If you ever lived near a noisy mill, a roaring river, or the sea, you have found that the sound, which at first disturbed you, was afterwards scarcely noticed. Just so the truths of religion may deeply impress the mind; but if those impressions are not cherished, by acting in accordance with them, those truths will effect the mind less and less, till they are heard with total indifference. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." He knocks by sermons, books, conversations, conscience, solemn warnings. The sound startles you; but if you do not rise and open the door, it will startle you less to-morrow, till at length you will not hear it at all. How many who once felt deeply about religion, now feel nothing, and are quickly and quietly traveling down to hell. On the narrow ledges of the steep cliffs of the Yorkshire coast multitudes of sea fowl lay their eggs, by gathering which, some persons obtain a perilous livelihood. It once happened that a man, having fixed in the ground his iron bar, and having lowered himself down by the rope which was fastened to it, found, that, in consequence of the edge of the cliff bending over the part below, he could not reach the narrow ledge where the eggs were deposited, without swinging himself backwards and forwards. By this means he at last placed his foot on the rock, but in so doing lost his hold of the rope. His situation was most dreadful. The sea roared hundreds of feet below. It was impossible to climb either up or down. He must soon perish from want, or fall, and be dashed to pieces on the rocks. The rope was his only way of escape. It was still swinging to and fro; but when it settled it would be out of reach. Every time it approached him it was farther off than before. Every moment he waited his danger increased. He made up his mind. The next time the rope swung towards him he sprang forward, seized it, and reached the top in safety. Sinner, your salvation is farther off every moment you wait. Hell is below. Death will soon cast you down. But Jesus is near to save you. He invites you to lay hold on him. It is your only hope. Grasp him by faith. You cannot miss your hold. He will bold you and draw you up to heaven. But the difficulty and danger are greater every moment you delay. Come to Jesus now.

COME NOW: TO-MORROW MAY BE TOO LATE.

You have perhaps decided to come to Jesus, but not just now. Like Felix, you say, "Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee." Satan knows that if you put religion off, he is likely to keep you captive for ever. God says, "TO-DAY if you will hear my voice, harden not your hearts: behold NOW is the day of salvation." Satan whispers, "not to-day, but, to-morrow." He promises you shall give to God all your future days, if only he can secure for himself the present. Oh, beware of to-morrow. Souls are generally lost, not because they resolve never to repent, but because they defer it till some future time, and still defer it till it is too late. To-morrows have crowded hell. Perhaps you think you will wait till disease assails you. But a sick bed is the very worst place for repenting. Your mind may be so distracted by delirium, fever, or pain, or may so share in the weakness of the body, as to be unable to think. The peace in which multitudes seem to die is only the apathy of disease. Many, who, when ill, have professed to repent, on recovery have become more careless than before. It was not true conversion; and had they died they would have been lost. There is little hope of salvation in sickness. But such a season may never come. You may die without a moment's warning. Though in health to-day, you may be dead to-morrow. And are you, when life is so uncertain, putting off salvation? A prisoner is under sentence of death. He knows not the fatal hour, but is told, that if before it strikes he petitions the governor, his life will be spared. He says, "I'll send tomorrow." And when to-morrow comes again, "Oh, there's time enough yet; I'll wait a little longer." Suddenly his door opens, and--behold the sheriff and the executor! "Oh, wait, and I'll write the petition.' "No," they say, "the clock has struck--its too late--you must die." Poor sinner, you are condemned. You know not when you may die. It may be this very day. You put off repentance till to-morrow; but to-morrow you may be in hell. Christ knocks to-day; but remember death may knock to-morrow. Though you keep your best Friend outside, death will burst in, and hurry you away to the judge. Come to Jesus to-day. He is willing to save to-day. Heaven's gate is open to-day. Tomorrow may be too late.

Read Matt. 24:36-51; 25:1-13; Luke 12:16- 21; 13; 24-28; Acts 24:25; 2 Cor. 6:1, 2; Heb. 3:7-11.

YOU MUST PERISH IF YOU DO NOT COME.

"What must I do to be saved?" "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ." "What must I do to be lost?" "Neglect so great salvation." It is not necessary to do any thing. We are lost already. Jesus offers to save us; but if we reject his offer, we remain as we are. If a man were bitten by a deadly serpent, but refused to apply the only remedy, he must die. The gospel is the only cure for the soul; and if we neglect it, sin kills us. You need not be a thief or a murderer to lose your soul. You may conform to all the outward ordinances of religion, but if you come not to Jesus, you are lost. Consider the solemn words, "How shall we escape, if we NEGLECT so great salvation?" Escape is impossible, if we neglect the only means of safety. A boat is drawn by the current of the river near to the foaming cataract, where it must perish; but there is one solitary projecting rock near which it passes, where some men are waiting with a rope. Suppose the crew neglect to catch it--how can they escape? Neglect is their ruin. Jesus alone can save the soul. "Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Oh, sinner, your damnation is sure, if you reject Jesus. And how great will be your guilt and punishment! There remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.-- "He that despised Moses' law died without mercy; of how much sore punishment shalt he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of Grace?" What delusion has seized thee? Dost thou think God will not execute his threatenings, that thou will escape his piercing eye, or the rocks will cover thee? Vain hopes. There is no escape but by coming to Jesus, and simple neglect is certain perdition. "Because I called, but ye refused, I also will laugh at your calamity, I will mock when your fear cometh. Then shall they call, but I will not answer; they shall seek me, but shall not find me; for they did not chose the fear of the Lord, and despised all my reproof." O sinner, escape this awful threatening. Jesus now stands with open arms. He entreats you to come and be saved. Refuse his grace no longer. Come with all your sins and sorrows--come just as you are--come at once. He will in no wise cast you out. Come to Jesus. Come to Jesus.

See Prov. 1:24-31; John 3:14-21, 36; Acts 4:12; Heb. 2:1-3; 10:26-31.

I WILL COME TO JESUS

Just as I am, without one plea But that thy blood was shed for me. And that thou bidst me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am, and waiting not, To rid my soul of one dark blot-- To thee whose blood can cleanse each spot. O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am--poor, wretched blind-- Sight, riches, healing of the mind, Yes, all I need, in thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am--though tossed about; With many a conflict, many a doubt, With fears within, and foes without, O lamb of God, I come!

— By Newman Hall (1816-1902)

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