this paper, and desire forgiveness.
You are not yet forgiven. Then what have you got by your religion ? You go to church. You have a Bible, you have a prayer-book, and perhaps a hymn-book. You hear sermons. You join in services. It may be you go to the Lord's table. But what have you really got after all ? Any hope ? Any peace ? Any joy ? Any comfort ? Nothing, literally nothing! You have got nothing but mere temporal things, if you are not a pardoned soul. •
You are not yet forgiven. But you trust God will be merciful. And why should He be merciful, if you will not seek Him in His own appointed way ? Merciful He doubtless is, wonderfully merciful to all who come to Him in the name of Jesus. But if you choose to despise His directions, and make a road to heaven of your own, you will find to your cost there is no mercy for you.
You are not yet forgiven. But you hope you shall be some day. I cannot away with that expression. It is like thrusting off the hand of conscience, and seizing it by the throat to stop its voice. Why are you more likely to seek forgiveness at a future time ? Why should you not seek it now ? Now is the time for gathering the bread of life. The day of the Lord is fast drawing near, and then no man can work. (Exod. xvi. 26.) The seventh trumpet will soon sound. The kingdoms of this world will soon become the kingdoms of our God and of His Christ. Woe to the house which is found without the scarlet line, and without the mark of blood upon the door! (Josh. ii. 18. Exod. xii. 13.)
Well! you may not feel your need of forgiveness now. But a time may come when you will want it. The Lord in mercy grant that it may not then be too late.*
3. Let me next give an earnest invitation to all who read this paper, and desire forgiveness.
I know not what you are, or what you may have been in time past, but I say boldly, Come to Christ by faith, and you shall have a pardon. High or low, rich or poor, young men and maidens, old men
and children, - you cannot be worse than Manasseh and Paul before conversion, than David and Peter after conversion, - come all of you to Christ, and you shall be freely forgiven.
Think not for a moment that you have some great thing to do before you come to Christ. Such a notion is of the earth, earthy ; the Gospel bids you come just as you are. Man's idea is to make his peace with God by repentance, and then come to Christ at last: the Gospel way is to receive peace from Christ first of all, and begin with Him. Man's idea is to amend and turn over a new leaf, and so work his way up to reconciliation and friendship with God: the Gospel way is first to be friends with God through Christ, and then to work. Man's idea is to toil up the hill, and find life at the top: the Gospel way is first to live by faith in Christ, and then to do His will.
And judge ye, every one, judge ye which is true Christianity ? Which is the good news ? Which is the glad tidings ? First the fruits of the Spirit, and then peace; or first peace, and then the fruit of the Spirit ? First sanctification, and then pardon; or first pardon, and then sanctification ? First service, and then life; or first life, and then service ? Reader, your own heart can well supply the answer.
Come then, willing to receive, and not thinking how much you can bring. Come, willing to take what Christ offers, and not fancying you can give anything in return. Come with your sins, and no other qualification but a hearty desire for pardon, and so sure as the Bible is true you shall be saved.
You may tell me you are not worthy, you are not good enough, you are not elect. I answer, you are a sinner, and you want to be saved, and what more do you want ? You are one of those whom Jesus came to save. Come to Him, and you shall have life.* Take with you words, and He will hear you graciously. Tell Him all your soul's necessities, and I know He will give heed. Tell Him you have heard He receiveth sinners, and that you are such. Tell Him you have heard He has the keys of life in His hand, and entreat Him to let you in. Tell Him you