OnCalvinism

byC.H.Spurgeon

TableofContents

ADefenseofCalvinism

HumanInability

UnconditionalElection

PartucularRedemption

EffectualCalling

FinalPerseverance

TheDoctrinesofGraceDoNotLeadtoSin

RevelationandConversion

OnConversionasourAim

TheSweetUsesofAdversity

FreeWill-ASlave

MisrepresentationsofCalvinism

JacobandEsau

FreeGrace

ADefenseofCalvinism

The old truth that Calvin preached, thatAugustine preached, that Paulpreached, is the truth that Imust preach today, or else be false tomyconscienceandmyGod.Icannotshapethetruth;Iknowofnosuchthingas paring off the rough edges of a doctrine. John Knox's gospel is mygospel. That which thundered through Scotlandmust thunder throughEnglandagain.

It is a great thing tobegin theChristian life bybelieving good soliddoctrine. Some people have received twenty different "gospels" in asmany years; how many more they will accept before they get to theirjourney'send,itwouldbedifficult topredict.I thankGodthatHeearlytaughtmethegospel,andIhavebeensoperfectlysatisfiedwithit,thatIdonotwanttoknowanyother.Constantchangeofcreedissureloss.Ifatreehas tobe takenup twoor three times a year, youwill not need tobuild a very large loft in which to store the apples. When people arealwaysshiftingtheirdoctrinalprinciples,theyarenotlikelytobringforthmuchfruittothegloryofGod.ItisgoodforyoungbelieverstobeginwithafirmholduponthosegreatfundamentaldoctrineswhichtheLordhastaught in His Word. Why, if I believed what some preach about thetemporary, trumpery salvation which only lasts for a time, I wouldscarcelybeatallgrateful for it;butwhenIknowthat thosewhomGodsavesHesaveswithaneverlastingsalvation,whenIknowthatHegivestothemaneverlastingrighteousness,whenIknowthatHesettlesthemonaneverlasting foundationof everlasting love, and thatHewill bringthem to His everlasting kingdom, oh, then I do wonder, and I amastonishedthatsuchablessingasthisshouldeverhavebeengiventome!

"Pause,mysoul!adore,andwonder!Ask,'Oh,whysuchlovetome?'GracehathputmeinthenumberOftheSaviour'sfamily:Hallelujah!Thanks,eternalthanks,toThee

I suppose there are some persons whose minds naturally inclinetowards the doctrine of free-will. I can only say that mine inclines asnaturally towards the doctrines of sovereign grace. Sometimes, when I

seesomeoftheworstcharactersinthestreet,IfeelasifmyheartmustburstforthintearsofgratitudethatGodhasneverletmeactastheyhavedone!Ihavethought,ifGodhadleftmealone,andhadnottouchedmebyHisgrace,whatagreatsinnerIshouldhavebeen!Ishouldhaveruntotheutmostlengthsofsin,divedintotheverydepthsofevil,norshouldIhavestoppedatanyviceorfolly,ifGodhadnotrestrainedme.IfeelthatI should have been a very king of sinners, if God had let me alone. Icannotunderstand the reasonwhyIamsaved,exceptupon the groundthatGodwouldhave itso.Icannot, if I lookeversoearnestly,discoveranykindofreasoninmyselfwhyIshouldbeapartakerofDivinegrace.IfI amnotat thismomentwithoutChrist, it isonlybecauseChristJesuswouldhaveHiswillwithme,andthatwillwasthatIshouldbewithHimwhereHeis,andshouldshareHisglory.IcanputthecrownnowherebutupontheheadofHimwhosemightygracehassavedmefromgoingdownintothepit.Lookingbackonmypastlife,IcanseethatthedawningofitallwasofGod;ofGodeffectively.Itooknotorchwithwhichtolightthesun,butthesunenlightenedme.Ididnotcommencemyspirituallife-no,I ratherkicked,andstruggledagainst the thingsof theSpirit:whenHedrewme,foratimeIdidnotrunafterHim:therewasanaturalhatredinmy soul of everything holy and good. Wooings were lost upon me-warningswerecast tothewind-thundersweredespised;andas for thewhispersofHis love, theywere rejectedasbeing less thannothingandvanity.But,sureIam,Icansaynow,speakingonbehalfofmyself,"Heonly ismysalvation." ItwasHewho turnedmyheart, andbroughtmedownonmykneesbeforeHim. I can in verydeed, saywithDoddridgeandToplady-

"Gracetaughtmysoultopray,Andmademyeyeso'erflow."

andcomingtothismoment,Icanadd-

"Tisgracehaskeptmetothisday,Andwillnotletmego."

WellcanIrememberthemanner inwhichI learnedthedoctrinesofgraceinasingleinstant.Born,asallofusarebynature,anArminian,IstillbelievedtheoldthingsIhadheardcontinually fromthepulpit,and

didnotsee thegraceofGod.WhenIwas coming toChrist, I thought Iwasdoingitallmyself,andthoughIsoughttheLordearnestly,IhadnoideatheLordwasseekingme.Idonotthinktheyoungconvertisatfirstaware of this. I can recall the very day and hour when first I receivedthosetruthsinmyownsoul-whentheywere,asJohnBunyansays,burntintomyheartaswithahotiron,andIcanrecollecthowIfeltthatIhadgrownonasuddenfromababeintoaman-thatIhadmadeprogress inScripturalknowledge,throughhavingfound,onceforall,thecluetothetruthofGod.Oneweek-night,whenIwassitting inthehouseofGod,Iwasnotthinkingmuchaboutthepreacher'ssermon,forIdidnotbelieveit.Thethoughtstruckme,HowdidyoucometobeaChristian?Isoughtthe Lord. But how did you come to seek the Lord? The truth flashedacrossmymindinamoment-IshouldnothavesoughtHimunlesstherehadbeensomeprevious influence inmymind tomakeme seekHim. Iprayed,thought I, but then I askedmyself,How came I to pray? Iwasinduced to pray by reading the Scriptures. How came I to read theScriptures? I did read them, but what led me to do so? Then, in amoment,IsawthatGodwasatthebottomofitall,andthatHewastheAuthorofmyfaith,andsothewholedoctrineofgraceopeneduptome,andfromthat doctrine I have not departed to this day, and I desire tomakethismyconstantconfession,"IascribemychangewhollytoGod."

I once attended a servicewhere the text happened to be, "He shallchoose our inheritance for us;" and the good man who occupied thepulpit was more than a little of an Arminian. Therefore, when hecommenced, he said, "This passage refers entirely to our temporalinheritance, it hasnothingwhatever todowithour everlasting destiny,for," said he, "we do notwant Christ to choose for us in thematter ofHeavenorhell.Itissoplainandeasy,thateverymanwhohasagrainofcommon sensewill chooseHeaven, and any personwould knowbetterthantochoosehell.Wehavenoneedofanysuperiorintelligence,oranygreaterBeing,tochooseHeavenorhellforus.Itislefttoourownfree-will,andwehaveenoughwisdomgivenus,sufficientlycorrectmeanstojudge for ourselves," and therefore, as he very logically inferred, therewasnonecessityforJesusChrist,oranyone,tomakeachoiceforus.Wecouldchoosetheinheritanceforourselveswithoutanyassistance."Ah!"Ithought,"but,mygoodbrother, itmaybeverytruethatwecould,butI

think we should want something more than common sense before weshouldchoosearight."

First,letmeask,mustwenotallofusadmitanover-rulingProvidence,and the appointment of Jehovah's hand, as to the means whereby wecameintothisworld?Thosemenwhothinkthat,afterwards,wearelefttoourown free-will to choose thisoneor theother todirectour steps,mustadmitthatourentranceintotheworldwasnotofourownwill,butthatGodhadthentochooseforus.Whatcircumstanceswerethoseinourpowerwhich ledus to elect certainpersons to be our parents?Hadweanythingtodowithit?DidnotGodHimselfappointourparents,nativeplace,andfriends?CouldHenothavecausedmetobebornwiththeskinoftheHottentot,broughtforthbyafilthymotherwhowouldnursemeinher"kraal,"andteachmetobowdowntoPagangods,quiteaseasilyastohavegivenmeapiousmother,whowouldeachmorningandnightbendher knee in prayer onmy behalf?Or,mightHe not, ifHe had pleasedhavegivenmesomeprofligatetohavebeenmyparent,fromwhoselipsImighthaveearlyheard fearful, filthy, andobscene language?MightHenothaveplacedmewhereIshouldhavehadadrunkenfather,whowouldhaveimmuredmeinaverydungeonofignorance,andbroughtmeupinthechainsofcrime?Was itnotGod'sProvidence that Ihadsohappyalot,thatbothmyparentswereHischildren,andendeavouredtotrainmeupinthefearoftheLord?

JohnNewtonusedtotellawhimsicalstory,andlaughat it, too,ofagoodwomanwhosaid,inordertoprovethedoctrineofelection,"Ah!sir,the Lordmust have lovedme before Iwas born, or elseHewould nothaveseenanythinginmetoloveafterwards."Iamsure it is true inmycase;Ibelievethedoctrineofelection,becauseIamquitecertainthat,ifGodhadnotchosenme,IshouldneverhavechosenHim;andIamsureHechosemebeforeIwasborn,orelseHeneverwouldhavechosenmeafterwards;andHemusthaveelectedmeforreasonsunknowntome,forInevercouldfindanyreasoninmyselfwhyHeshouldhavelookeduponmewithspeciallove.SoIamforcedtoacceptthatgreatBiblicaldoctrine.IrecollectanArminianbrothertellingmethathehadreadtheScripturesthrough a score or more times, and could never find the doctrine ofelectioninthem.Headdedthathewassurehewouldhavedonesoif it

hadbeenthere,forhereadtheWordonhisknees.Isaidtohim,"IthinkyoureadtheBibleinaveryuncomfortableposture,andifyouhadreaditin your easy chair, you would have beenmore likely to understand it.Pray, by all means, and the more, the better, but it is a piece ofsuperstitiontothinkthereisanythinginthepostureinwhichamanputshimself for reading: and as to reading through the Bible twenty timeswithouthavingfoundanythingaboutthedoctrineofelection,thewonderis that you foundanything at all: youmusthave galloped through it atsuch a rate that youwere not likely to have any intelligible idea of themeaningoftheScriptures."

If itwouldbemarveloustoseeoneriver leapupfromtheearthfull-grown,whatwould it be to gazeupon a vast spring fromwhich all therivers of the earth should at once comebubbling up, amillion of thembornatabirth?Whatavisionwoulditbe!Whocanconceiveit.AndyettheloveofGodisthatfountain,fromwhichalltheriversofmercy,whichhaveevergladdenedourrace-alltheriversofgraceintime,andofgloryhereafter-take their rise. My soul, stand thou at that sacred fountain-head, andadore andmagnify, for ever and ever,God, even our Father,whohathlovedus!Intheverybeginning,whenthisgreatuniverselayinthemindofGod,likeunbornforestsintheacorncup;longeretheechoesawokethesolitudes;beforethemountainswerebroughtforth;andlongere the light flashed through the sky, God lovedHis chosen creatures.Beforetherewasanycreatedbeing-whentheetherwasnotfannedbyanangel's wing, when space itself had not an existence, when there wasnothingsaveGodalone-eventhen,inthatlonelinessofDeity,andinthatdeepquiet andprofundity,Hisbowelsmovedwith love forHis chosen.TheirnameswerewrittenonHisheart,and thenwere theydear toHissoul. Jesus loved His people before the foundation of the world-evenfrom eternity! andwhenHe calledme byHis grace,He said tome, "Ihave loved theewith an everlasting love: thereforewith lovingkindnesshaveIdrawnthee."

Then,inthefulnessoftime,HepurchasedmewithHisblood;HeletHisheartrunoutinonedeepgapingwoundformelongereIlovedHim.Yea,whenHefirstcametome,didInotspurnHim?WhenHeknockedat the door, and asked for entrance, did I not driveHim away, and do

despitetoMsgrace?Ah,IcanrememberthatIfulloftendidsountil,atlast,bythepowerofHiseffectualgrace,Hesaid,"Imust,Iwillcomein;"andthenHeturnedmyheart,andmademeloveHim.ButeventillnowIshouldhaveresistedHim,haditnotbeenforHisgrace.Well,thensinceHe purchased me when I was dead in sins, does it not follow, as aconsequencenecessaryandlogical,thatHemusthavelovedmefirst?DidmySaviourdieformebecauseIbelievedonHim?No;Iwasnottheninexistence; I had thenno being. Could the Saviour, therefore, have diedbecause I had faith, when Imyself was not yet born? Could that havebeen possible? Could that have been the origin of the Saviour's lovetowards me? Oh! no; my Saviour died for me long before I believed."But," says someone, "He foresaw that you would have faith; and,therefore,He loved you."WhatdidHe foresee aboutmy faith?DidHeforesee that I shouldget that faithmyself, and that I should believe onHimofmyself)No;Christ couldnot foresee that, because noChristianmanwilleversaythatfaithcameofitselfwithoutthegiftandwithouttheworkingof theHolySpirit. Ihavemetwithagreatmanybelievers,andtalkedwiththemaboutthismatter;butIneverknewonewhocouldputhishandonhisheart,andsay,"IbelievedinJesuswithouttheassistanceoftheHolySpirit."

I am bound to the doctrine of the depravity of the human heart,becauseIfindmyselfdepravedinheart,andhavedailyproofsthatinmyflesh there dwelleth no good thing. If God enters into covenant withunfallenman,manissoinsignificantacreaturethatitmustbeanactofgracious condescension on the Lord's part; but if God enters intocovenantwithsinfulman,heisthensooffensiveacreaturethatitmustbe, onGod's part, an act of pure, free, rich, sovereign grace.When theLordentered into covenantwithme, I am sure that itwas all of grace,nothingelsebutgrace.WhenIrememberwhatadenofuncleanbeastsand birdsmy heart was, and how strong wasmy unrenewedwill, howobstinate and rebellious against the sovereignty of the Divine rule, Ialways feel inclined to take thevery lowest room inmyFather's house,andwhenIenterHeaven,itwillbetogoamongthelessthantheleastofallsaints,andwiththechiefofsinners.

The late lamentedMr.Denhamhasput,at the footofhisportrait,a

mostadmirabletext,"SalvationisoftheLord."ThatisjustanepitomeofCalvinism;itisthesumandsubstanceofit.IfanyoneshouldaskmewhatImeanbyaCalvinist,Ishouldreply,"Heisonewhosays,SalvationisoftheLord."IcannotfindinScriptureanyotherdoctrinethanthis.Itistheessence of the Bible. "He only is my rock and my salvation." Tell meanythingcontrarytothistruth,anditwillbeaheresy; tellmeaheresy,andIshallfinditsessencehere,thatithasdepartedfromthisgreat,thisfundamental,thisrock-truth,"Godismyrockandmysalvation."WhatistheheresyofRome,buttheadditionofsomethingtotheperfectmeritsofJesus Christ-the bringing in of the works of the flesh, to assist in ourjustification?AndwhatistheheresyofArminianismbuttheadditionofsomethingtotheworkoftheRedeemer?Everyheresy, ifbroughttothetouchstone,willdiscoveritselfhere.IhavemyownPrivateopinionthatthere isnosuchthingaspreachingChristandHimcrucified,unlesswepreach what nowadays is called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call itCalvinism;Calvinismisthegospel,andnothingelse.Idonotbelievewecanpreachthegospel, ifwedonotpreachjustificationbyfaith,withoutworks;norunlesswepreachthesovereigntyofGodinHisdispensationof grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable, eternal,immutable,conqueringloveofJehovah;nordoIthinkwecanpreachthegospel,unlesswebase itupon the special andparticular redemptionofHiselectandchosenpeoplewhichChristwroughtoutuponthecross;norcan I comprehend a gospel which lets saints fall away after they arecalled, and suffers the children of God to be burned in the fires ofdamnationafterhavingoncebelievedinJesus.SuchagospelIabhor.

"Ifeveritshouldcometopass,ThatsheepofChristmightfallaway,Myfickle,feeblesoul,alas!Wouldfallathousandtimesaday"

If one dear saint of God had perished, so might all; if one of thecovenantonesbelost,somayallbe;andthenthereisnogospelpromisetrue,buttheBibleisalie,andthereisnothinginitworthmyacceptance.IwillbeaninfidelatoncewhenIcanbelievethatasaintofGodcaneverfallfinally.IfGodhathlovedmeonce,thenHewilllovemeforever.Godhasamastermind;Hearrangedeverything inHisgigantic intellect long

beforeHedidit;andoncehavingsettledit,Heneveraltersit,'Thisshallbedone,"saithHe,andtheironhandofdestinymarksitdown,anditisbroughttopass."ThisisMypurpose,"anditstands,norcanearthorhellalterit."ThisisMydecree,"saithHe,"promulgateit,yeholyangels;renditdownfromthegateofHeaven,yedevils,ifyecan;butyecannotalterthedecree,itshallstandforever."GodalterethnotHisplans;whyshouldHe?HeisAlmighty,andthereforecanperformHispleasure.Whyshould

He?He is theAll-wise, and therefore cannothaveplannedwrongly.Why should He? He is the everlasting God, and therefore cannot diebeforeHis plan is accomplished.Why shouldHe change? Yeworthlessatomsofearth,ephemeraofaday,yecreepinginsectsuponthisbay-leafofexistence,yemaychangeyourplans,butHeshallnever,neverchangeHis.HasHetoldmethatHisplanistosaveme?Ifso,Iamforeversafe.

"MynamefromthepalmsofHishandsEternitywillnoterase;Impress'donHisheartitremains,Inmarksofindeliblegrace."

Idonotknowhowsomepeople,whobelievethataChristiancanfallfromgrace,managetobehappy.Itmustbeaverycommendablethinginthemtobeabletogetthroughadaywithoutdespair.fIdidnotbelievethedoctrineofthefinalperseveranceofthesaints,IthinkIshouldbeofallmenthemostmiserable,becauseIshouldlackanygroundofcomfort.Icouldnotsay,whateverstateofheartIcameinto,thatIshouldbelikeawell-springofwater,whosestreamfailsnot;Ishouldratherhavetotakethecomparisonofanintermittentspring,thatmightstoponasudden,ora reservoir, which I had no reason to expect would always be full. Ibelieve that the happiest of Christians and the truest of Christians arethosewhoneverdaretodoubtGod,butwhotakeHisWordsimplyas itstands, andbelieve it, andasknoquestions, just feeling assured that ifGodhassaid it, itwillbeso.IbearmywillingtestimonythatIhavenoreason, nor even the shadow of a reason, to doubt my Lord, and Ichallenge Heaven, and earth, and hell, to bring any proof that God isuntrue.FromthedepthsofhellIcallthefiends,andfromthisearthIcallthe tried andafflictedbelievers, and toHeaven I appeal, and challengethe long experience of the blood-washed host, and there is not to be

foundinthethreerealmsasinglepersonwhocanbearwitnesstoonefactwhich can disprove the faithfulness of God, or weakenMs claim to betrusted by His servants. There are many things that may or may nothappen,butthisIknowshallhappen-

"Heshallpresentmysoul,Unblemish'dandcomplete,BeforethegloryofHisface,Withjoysdivinelygreat"

All thepurposesofmanhavebeendefeated,butnotthepurposesofGod.Thepromisesofmanmaybebroken-manyofthemaremadetobebroken-but the promises of God shall all be fulfilled. He is a promise-maker, butHe neverwas a promise- breaker;He is a promise-keepingGod, and every one of His people shall prove it to be so. This is mygrateful, personal confidence, "The Lord will perfect that whichconcernethme"-unworthyme, lostandruinedme.Hewill yet saveme;and-

"I,amongtheblood-wash'dthrong,Shallwavethepalm,andwearthecrown,Andshoutloudvictory"

Igotoalandwhichtheploughofearthhathneverupturned,whereitisgreenerthanearth'sbestpastures,andricherthanhermostabundantharvestseversaw.Igotoabuildingofmoregorgeousarchitecturethanmanhatheverbuilded;itisnotofmortaldesign;itis"abuildingofGod,ahousenotmadewithhands,eternal in theHeavens."All Ishallknowand enjoy inHeaven,will be given tome by the Lord, and I shall say,whenatlastIappearbeforeHim-

"GracealltheworkshallcrownThrougheverlastingdays;ItlaysinHeaventhetopmoststone,Andwelldeservesthepraise"

I know there are some who think it necessary to their system oftheologytolimitthemeritofthebloodofJesus:ifmytheologicalsystem

neededsuchalimitation,Iwouldcastittothewinds.Icannot,Idarenotallowthethoughttofindalodginginmymind,itseemssonearakintoblasphemy.InChrist'sfinishedworkIseeanoceanofmerit;myplummetfinds no bottom, my eye discovers no shore. There must be sufficientefficacyinthebloodofChrist, ifGodhadsowilledit,tohavesavednotonly all in this world, but all in ten thousand worlds, had theytransgressedtheirMaker'slaw.Onceadmitinfinityintothematter,andlimitisoutofthequestion.HavingaDivinePersonforanoffering, it isnotconsistenttoconceiveoflimitedvalue;boundandmeasurearetermsinapplicabletotheDivinesacrifice.TheintentoftheDivinepurposefixestheapplicationoftheinfiniteoffering,butdoesnotchangeitintoafinitework. Think of the numbers upon whom God has bestowed His gracealready.ThinkofthecountlesshostsinHeaven:ifthouwertintroducedthereto-day,thouwouldstfinditaseasytotellthestars,orthesandsofthesea,astocountthemultitudesthatarebeforethethroneevennow.TheyhavecomefromtheEast,andfromtheWest,fromtheNorth,andfromtheSouth,andtheyaresittingdownwithAbraham,andwithIsaac,andwithJacobintheKingdomofGod;andbesidethoseinHeaven,thinkofthesavedonesonearth.BlessedbeGod,Hiselectoneartharetobecounted bymillions, I believe, and the days are coming, brighter daysthanthese,when there shall bemultitudes uponmultitudes brought toknowtheSavior,andtorejoiceinHim.TheFather'sloveisnotforafewonly,but foranexceedinggreatcompany."Agreatmultitude,whichnomancouldnumber,"will be found inHeaven.Aman can reckonup toveryhighfigures; set toworkyourNewtons,yourmightiest calculators,and they can count greatnumbers,butGodandGodalone can tell themultitudeofHisredeemed.IbelievetherewillbemoreinHeaventhaninhell. If anyone asks me why I think so, I answer, because Christ, ineverything,isto"havethepre-eminence,"andIcannotconceivehowHecouldhavethepre-eminenceiftherearetobemoreinthedominionsofSatanthaninParadise.Moreover,Ihaveneverreadthatthereistobeinhellagreatmultitude,whichnomancouldnumber.Irejoicetoknowthatthesoulsofall infants,assoonastheydie,speedtheirwaytoParadise.Think what a multitude there is of them! Then there are already inHeavenunnumberedmyriadsofthespiritsofjustmenmadeperfect-theredeemed of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues up tillnow;andtherearebettertimescoming,whenthereligionofChristshall

beuniversal;when-

"Heshallreignfrompoletopole,Withillimitablesway,"

whenwholekingdomsshallbowdownbeforeHim,andnationsshallbeborn in a day, and in the thousand years of the great millennial statethere will be enough saved to make up all the deficiencies of thethousands of years that have gone before. Christ shall be Mastereverywhere, andHispraise shallbe sounded in every land. Christ shallhave the pre-eminence at last; His train shall be far larger than thatwhichshallattendthechariotofthegrimmonarchofhell.

Somepersons love thedoctrineofuniversalatonementbecause theysay,"Itissobeautiful.ItisalovelyideathatChristshouldhavediedforallmen;itcommendsitself,"theysay,"totheinstinctsofhumanity;thereissomethinginitfullofjoyandbeauty."Iadmitthereis,butbeautymaybeoftenassociatedwithfalsehood.ThereismuchwhichImightadmirein the theory of universal redemption, but I will just show what thesuppositionnecessarily involves. IfChristonHiscross intendedtosaveeveryman,thenHeintendedtosavethosewhowerelostbeforeHedied.If thedoctrinebetrue, thatHedied forallmen, thenHedied forsomewhowereinhellbeforeHecameintothisworld,fordoubtlesstherewereeven thenmyriads therewhohadbeen cast awaybecauseof their sins.Once again, if itwasChrist's intention to save allmen, howdeplorablyhasHebeendisappointed,forwehaveHisowntestimonythatthereisalakewhichburnethwithfireandbrimstone,andintothatpitofwoehavebeen cast some of the very persons who, according to the theory ofuniversal redemption,wereboughtwithHisblood.That seems tomeaconception a thousand times more repulsive than any of thoseconsequences which are said to be associated with the Calvinistic andChristiandoctrineofspecialandparticularredemption.TothinkthatmySavior died for men who were or are in hell, seems a supposition toohorrible forme toentertain.To imagine foramomentthatHewas theSubstituteforallthesonsofmen,andthatGod,havingfirstpunishedtheSubstitute,afterwardspunishedthesinnersthemselves,seemstoconflictwithallmyideasofDivinejustice.ThatChristshouldofferanatonementandsatisfactionforthesinsofallmen,andthatafterwardssomeofthose

verymen shouldbepunished for the sins forwhichChrist had alreadyatoned,appearstometobethemostmonstrousiniquitythatcouldeverhavebeenimputedtoSaturn,toJanus,tothegoddessoftheThugs,ortothemostdiabolicalheathendeities.GodforbidthatweshouldeverthinkthusofJehovah,thejustandwiseandgood!ThereisnosoullivingwhoholdsmorefirmlytothedoctrinesofgracethanIdo,andifanymanasksmewhetherIamashamedtobecalledaCalvinist,Ianswer-IwishtobecallednothingbutaChristian;butifyouaskme,doIholdthedoctrinalviews which were held by John Calvin, I reply, I do in the main holdthem,andrejoicetoavowit.Butfarbeit frommeeventoimaginethatZion contains none but Calvinistic Christians within her walls, or thattherearenone savedwhodonotholdourviews.Mostatrocious thingshave been spoken about the character and spiritual condition of JohnWesley,themodernprinceofArminians.Icanonlysayconcerninghimthat,whileIdetestmanyofthedoctrineswhichhepreached,yetforthemanhimselfIhaveareverencesecondtonoWesleyan;andiftherewerewanted twoapostles tobe added to thenumberof the twelve, I donotbelievethattherecouldbefoundtwomenmorefit tobesoaddedthanGeorgeWhitefieldandJohnWesley.ThecharacterofJohnWesleystandsbeyond all imputation for self-sacrifice, zeal, holiness, and communionwithGod;helivedfarabovetheordinarylevelofcommonChristians,andwas one "of whom the world was not worthy." I believe there aremultitudesofmenwho cannot see these truths, or, at least, cannot seethemintheway inwhichweput them,whoneverthelesshavereceivedChristastheirSavior,andareasdeartotheheartoftheGodofgraceasthesoundestCalvinistinoroutofHeaven.

Idonot think Idiffer fromanyofmyHyper-Calvinisticbrethren inwhatIdobelieve,butIdifferfromtheminwhattheydonotbelieve.Idonothold any less than theydo, but I hold a littlemore, and, I think, alittlemoreofthetruthrevealedintheScriptures.Notonlyarethereafewcardinaldoctrines,bywhichwecansteerourshipNorth,South,East,orWest,butaswestudytheWord,weshallbegintolearnsomethingaboutthe North-west and North-east, and all else that lies between the fourcardinal points. The system of truth revealed in the Scriptures is notsimplyonestraightline,buttwo;andnomanwillevergetarightviewofthe gospel until he knows how to look at the two lines at once. For

instance, I read inoneBookof theBible, "TheSpiritand thebridesay,Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirstcome.Andwhosoeverwill,lethimtakethewateroflifefreely."YetIamtaught,inanotherpartofthesameinspiredWord,that"it isnotofhimthatwilleth,norofhimthatrunneth,butofGodthatshewethmercy."Isee,inoneplace,Godinprovidencepresidingoverall,andyetIsee,andIcannothelpseeing,thatmanactsashepleases,andthatGodhaslefthisactions,inagreatmeasure,tohisownfree-will.Now,ifIweretodeclarethatmanwas so free to act that there was no control of God over hisactions, I should be driven very near to atheism; and if, on the otherhand,Ishoulddeclare thatGodsoover-rulesall things thatman isnotfree enough to be responsible, I should be driven at once intoAntinomianism or fatalism. That God predestines, and yet thatman isresponsible,aretwofactsthatfewcanseeclearly.Theyarebelievedtobeinconsistentandcontradictorytoeachother.If,then,IfindtaughtinonepartoftheBiblethateverythingisforeordained,thatistrue;andifIfind,in another Scripture, thatman is responsible for all his actions, that istrue;anditisonlymyfollythatleadsmetoimaginethatthesetwotruthscanevercontradicteachother.Idonotbelievetheycaneverbeweldedintooneuponanyearthlyanvil,buttheycertainlyshallbeoneineternity.Theyaretwolinesthataresonearlyparallel,thatthehumanmindwhichpursuesthemfarthestwillneverdiscoverthattheyconverge,buttheydoconverge,andtheywillmeetsomewhereineternity,closetothethroneofGod,whencealltruthdothspring.

Itisoftensaidthatthedoctrineswebelievehaveatendencytoleadustosin.Ihavehearditassertedmostpositively,thatthosehighdoctrineswhichwelove,andwhichwefindintheScriptures,arelicentiousones.Idonotknowwhowillhave thehardihoodtomake thatassertion,whentheyconsiderthattheholiestofmenhavebeenbelievers inthem.IaskthemanwhodarestosaythatCalvinismisalicentiousreligion,whathethinks of the character of Augustine, or Calvin, or Whitefield, who insuccessiveageswerethegreatexponentsofthesystemofgrace;orwhatwillhesayofthePuritans,whoseworksarefullofthem?Hadamanbeenan Arminian in those days, he would have been accounted the vilesthereticbreathing,butnowweare lookeduponastheheretics,andtheyastheorthodox.Wehavegonebackto theoldschool;wecantraceour

descentfromtheapostles. It is that veinof free-grace, running throughthesermonizingofBaptists,whichhassavedusasadenomination.Wereitnot for that,we should not standwherewe are today.We can run agolden line up to Jesus Christ Himself, through a holy succession ofmighty fathers, who all held these glorious truths; and we can askconcerning them, "Where will you find holier and better men in theworld?"Nodoctrine is so calculated to preserve aman from sin as thedoctrine of the grace of God. Those who have called it "a licentiousdoctrine"didnotknowanythingatallaboutit.Poorignorantthings,theylittleknewthattheirownvilestuffwasthemostlicentiousdoctrineunderHeaven.IftheyknewthegraceofGodintruth,theywouldsoonseethattherewasnopreservativefromlyinglikeaknowledgethatweareelectofGodfromthefoundationoftheworld.Thereisnothinglikeabeliefinmyeternal perseverance, and the immutability of my Father's affection,which can keep me near to Him from a motive of simple gratitude.Nothingmakesamansovirtuousasbeliefofthetruth.Alyingdoctrinewillsoonbegeta lyingpractice.Amancannothaveanerroneous beliefwithout by-and-by having an erroneous life. I believe the one thingnaturallybegetstheother.Ofallmen,thosehavethemostdisinterestedpiety,thesublimestreverence,themostardentdevotion,whobelievethatthey are saved by grace, without works, through faith, and that not ofthemselves,itisthegiftofGod.Christiansshouldtakeheed,andseethatitalways isso, lestbyanymeansChrist shouldbecrucifiedafresh,andputtoanopenshame.

HumanInability

"Noman can come tome, except the Fatherwhich hath sentme drawhim.-John6:44

ComingtoChristisaverycommonphraseinHolyScripture.Itisusedtoexpress those acts of the soul wherein, leaving at once our self-righteousness, and our sins, we fly unto the Lord Jesus Christ, andreceive his righteousness to be our covering, and his blood to be ouratonement. Coming to Christ, then, embraces in it repentance, self-

negation,andfaithintheLordJesusChrist,anditsumswithinitselfallthose thingswhichare thenecessaryattendantsof thesegreat statesofheart, such as the belief of the truth, earnestness of prayer toGod, thesubmission of the soul to the precepts of God's gospel, and all thosethings which accompany the dawn of salvation in the soul. Coming toChrist is just the one essential thing for a sinner's salvation. He thatcomethnottoChrist,dowhathemay,orthinkwhathemay,isyetin"thegallof bitterness and in thebondsof iniquity."Coming toChrist is theveryfirsteffectofregeneration.Nosooneristhesoulquickenedthanitatoncediscovers its lostestate, ishorrifiedthereat, looksout forarefuge,andbelievingChristtobeasuitableone,fliestohimandreposesinhim.WherethereisnotthiscomingtoChrist,itiscertainthatthereisasyetno quickening; where there is no quickening, the soul is dead intrespassesandsins,andbeingdeaditcannotenter intothekingdomofheaven.We have before us now an announcement very startling, somesayveryobnoxious.ComingtoChrist,thoughdescribedbysomepeopleasbeingtheveryeasiestthinginalltheworld,isinourtextdeclaredtobeathingutterlyandentirelyimpossibletoanyman,unlesstheFathershalldrawhim toChrist. It shall beourbusiness, then, to enlargeupon thisdeclaration.Wedoubtnotthatitwillalwaysbeoffensivetocarnalnature,but,nevertheless, theoffendingofhumannature is sometimes the firststeptowardsbringingittobowitselfbeforeGod.Andifthisbetheeffectof a painful process,we can forget the pain and rejoice in the gloriousconsequences.

I shall endeavour this morning, first of all, to notice man's inability,whereinitconsists.Secondly,theFather'sdrawings-whattheseare,andhowtheyareexerteduponthesoul.AndthenIshallconcludebynoticingasweetconsolationwhichmaybederivedfromthisseeminglybarrenandterribletext.

I. First, then,MAN'S INABILITY. The text says, "Noman can come tome,excepttheFatherwhichhathsentmedrawhim."Whereindoesthisinabilitylie?

First,itdoesnotlieinanyphysicaldefect.IfincomingtoChrist,movingthebodyorwalkingwith the feet shouldbeof anyassistance, certainlymanhasallphysicalpowertocometoChristinthatsense.Irememberto

haveheardaveryfoolishAntinomiandeclare,thathedidnotbelieveanymanhadthepowertowalkto thehouseofGodunless theFatherdrewhim.Nowthemanwasplainlyfoolish,becausehemusthaveseenthataslongasamanwasaliveandhadlegs,itwasaseasyforhimtowalktothehouseofGodas to thehouseofSatan. If coming toChrist includes theutteranceofaprayer,manhasnophysicaldefectinthatrespect,ifhebenotdumb,hecansayaprayeraseasilyashecanutterblasphemy.ItisaseasyforamantosingoneofthesongsofZionastosingaprofaneandlibidinoussong.There isno lackofphysicalpower in coming toChrist.All that can be wanted with regard to the bodily strength man mostassuredlyhas,andanypartofsalvationwhichconsists in that is totallyandentirelyinthepowerofmanwithoutanyassistancefromtheSpiritofGod.Nor,again,does this inability lie inanymental lack. I canbelievethisBibletobe true justas easilyas I canbelieveanyotherbook tobetrue.SofarasbelievingonChristisanactofthemind,Iamjustasableto believe on Christ as I am able to believe on anybody else. Let hisstatementbebuttrue,itisidletotellmeIcannotbelieveit.IcanbelievethestatementthatChristmakesaswellasIcanbelievethestatementofanyotherperson.There isnodeficiencyof faculty in themind: it is ascapable of appreciating as ameremental act the guilt ofsin, as it is ofappreciating the guilt of assassination. It is just as possible for me toexercisethementalideaofseekingGod,asitistoexercisethethoughtofambition.Ihaveall thementalstrengthandpowerthatcanpossiblybeneeded,sofarasmentalpowerisneededinsalvationatall.Nay,thereisnotanymansoignorantthathecanpleadalackofintellectasanexcuseforrejectingthegospel.Thedefect,then,doesnotlieeitherinthebody,or,whatweareboundtocall,speakingtheologically,themind.Itisnotany lackordeficiencythere,although it is thevitiationof themind, thecorruptionortheruinofit,which,afterall, istheveryessenceofman'sinability.

Permitmetoshowyouwhereinthisinabilityofmanreallydoeslie.Itliesdeepinhisnature.Throughthefall,andthroughourownsin,thenatureof man has become so debased, and depraved, and corrupt, that it isimpossible forhim to come toChristwithout the assistanceofGodtheHolySpirit.Now,intryingtoexhibithowthenatureofmanthusrendershimunabletocometoChrist,youmustallowmejusttotakethisfigure.

Youseeasheep;howwillinglyitfeedsupontheherbage!Youneverknewasheepsighaftercarrion;itcouldnotliveonlion'sfood.Nowbringmeawolf;andyouaskmewhetherawolfcannoteatgrass,whetheritcannotbejustasdocileandasdomesticatedasthesheep.Ianswer,no;becauseitsnatureiscontrarythereunto.Yousay,"Well,ithasearsandlegs;canitnotheartheshepherd'svoice,andfollowhimwhithersoeverheleadethit?"Ianswer,certainly;thereisnophysicalcausewhyitcannotdoso,butits nature forbids, and therefore I say it cannot do so. Can it not betamed?cannotitsferocityberemoved?Probablyitmaysofarbesubduedthat itmaybecomeapparently tame;but therewillalwaysbeamarkeddistinction between it and the sheep, because there is a distinction innature.Now,thereasonwhymancannotcometoChrist, isnotbecausehe cannot come, so far as his body or his mere power of mind isconcerned,butbecausehisnature is so corrupt thathehasneither thewillnor thepowertocometoChristunlessdrawnbytheSpirit.But letmegiveyouabetterillustration.Youseeamotherwithherbabe inherarms.Youputaknifeintoherhand,andtellhertostabthatbabetotheheart. She replies, and very truthfully, "I cannot." Now, so far as herbodilypowerisconcerned,shecan,ifshepleases;thereistheknife,andthere is the child. The child cannot resist, and she has quite sufficientstrengthinherhandimmediatelytostab it to itsheart.Butshe isquitecorrectwhenshesaysshecannotdo it.Asamereactof themind, it isquitepossibleshemightthinkofsuchathingaskillingthechild,andyetshesaysshecannotthinkofsuchathing;andshedoesnotsayfalsely,forher nature as amother forbids her doing a thing fromwhich her soulrevolts.Simplybecausesheisthatchild'sparentshefeelsshecannotkillit.Itisevensowithasinner.ComingtoChristissoobnoxioustohumannaturethat,although,sofarasphysicalandmentalforcesareconcerned,(andthesehavebutaverynarrowsphereinsalvation)mencouldcomeiftheywould:itisstrictlycorrecttosaythattheycannotandwillnotunlessthe Father who hath sent Christ doth draw them. Let us enter a littlemoredeeplyintothesubject,andtrytoshowyouwhereinthisinabilityofmanconsists,initsmoreminuteparticulars.

I. First, it lies in the obstinacy of the human will. "Oh!" saith theArminian,"menmaybesavediftheywill."Wereply,"Mydearsir,weallbelievethat;but it is just the if theywill that is thedifficulty.Weassert

thatnomanwillcometoChristunlesshebedrawn;nay,wedonotassertit,butChristhimselfdeclaresit-"Yewillnotcomeuntomethatyemighthavelife;'andaslongasthat"yewillnotcome'standsonrecordinHolyScripture, we shall not be brought to believe in any doctrine of thefreedomofthehumanwill."Itisstrangehowpeople,whentalkingaboutfree-will,talkofthingswhichtheydonotatallunderstand."Now,"saysone,"Ibelievemencanbesavediftheywill."Mydearsir,thatisnotthequestionatall.Thequestion is, aremenever foundnaturallywilling tosubmittothehumblingtermsofthegospelofChrist?Wedeclare,uponScripturalauthority,thatthehumanwillissodesperatelysetonmischief,sodepraved,andsoinclinedtoeverythingthatisevil,andsodisinclinedto everything that is good, that without the powerful. supernatural,irresistible influence of the Holy Spirit, no human will ever beconstrained towardsChrist.You reply, thatmen sometimes arewilling,withoutthehelpoftheHolySpirit.Ianswer-Didyouevermeetwithanypersonwhowas?Scoresandhundreds,nay,thousandsofChristianshaveIconversedwith,of different opinions, youngandold, but it hasneverbeenmylottomeetwithonewhocouldaffirmthathecametoChristofhimself, without being drawn. The universal confession of all truebelieversisthis-"IknowthatunlessJesusChristhadsoughtmewhenastrangerwanderingfromthefoldofGod,Iwouldtothisveryhourhavebeenwandering far from him, at a distance from him, and loving thatdistancewell."Withcommonconsent,allbelieversaffirmthetruth,thatmen will not come to Christ till the Fatherwho hath sent Christ dothdrawthem.

2. Again, not only is the will obstinate, but the understanding isdarkened. Of that we have abundant Scriptural proof. I am not nowmakingmere assertions, but stating doctrines authoritatively taught intheHolyScriptures,andknownintheconscienceofeveryChristianman-thattheunderstandingofmanissodark,thathecannotbyanymeansunderstand the thingsofGoduntilhisunderstandinghasbeenopened.Manisbynatureblindwithin.ThecrossofChrist,soladenwithglories,andglitteringwithattractions,neverattractshim,becauseheisblindandcannotseeitsbeauties.Talktohimofthewondersofthecreation,showto him themany-coloured arch that spans the sky, let him behold thegloriesofa landscape,he iswellable toseeall these things;but talk to

himofthewondersofthecovenantofgrace,speaktohimofthesecurityof the believer in Christ, tell him of the beauties of the person of theRedeemer, he is quite deaf to all your description; you are as one thatplayethagoodlytune,itistrue;butheregardsnot,heisdeaf,hehasnocomprehension.Or,toreturntotheversewhichwesospeciallymarkedinourreading,"ThenaturalmanreceivethnotthethingsoftheSpiritofGod, for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know thembecausetheyarespirituallydiscerned;"andinasmuchashe isanaturalman,itisnotinhispowertodiscernthethingsofGod."Well,"saysone,"I think I have arrived at a very tolerable judgment in matters oftheology;IthinkIunderstandalmosteverypoint."True,thatyoumaydointheletterofit;butinthespiritofit,inthetruereceptionthereofintothesoul,andintheactualunderstandingofit,itisimpossibleforyoutohaveattained,unlessyouhavebeendrawnby theSpirit.Foras longasthat Scripture stands true, that carnal men cannot receive spiritualthings,itmustbetruethatyouhavenotreceivedthem,unlessyouhavebeenrenewedandmadeaspiritualman inChristJesus.Thewill, then,andtheunderstanding,aretwogreatdoors,bothblockedupagainstourcoming toChrist,anduntil theseareopenedby the sweet influencesoftheDivineSpirit,theymustbeforeverclosedtoanythinglikecomingtoChrist.

3. Again, the affections, which constitute a very great part ofman, aredepraved. Man, as he is, before he receives the grace of God, lovesanythingandeverythingabovespiritual things. Ifyewantproofof this,look around you. There needs no monument to the depravity of thehumanaffections.Castyoureyeseverywhere-thereisnotastreet,norahouse,nay,noraheart,whichdothnotbearuponitsadevidenceofthisdreadful truth. Why is it that men are not found on the Sabbath DayuniversallyflockingtothehouseofGod?Whyarewenotmoreconstantlyfound reading our Bibles? How is it that prayer is a duty almostuniversallyneglected?WhyisitthatChristJesusissolittlebeloved?Whyare even his professed followers so cold in their affections to him?Whencearisethesethings?Assuredly,dearbrethren,wecantracethemtonoothersourcethanthis,thecorruptionandvitiationoftheaffections.Welovethatwhichweoughttohate,andwehatethatwhichweoughttolove.Itisbuthumannature,fallenhumannature,thatmanshouldlove

thispresentlifebetterthanthelifetocome.Itisbuttheeffectofthefall,thatmanshouldlovesinbetterthanrighteousness,andthewaysofthisworldbetter than theways ofGod.Andagain,we repeat it, until theseaffections be renewed, and turned into a fresh channel by the graciousdrawings of the Father, it is not possible for anyman to love the LordJesusChrist.

4.Yet oncemore - conscience, too,hasbeenoverpoweredby the fall. Ibelievethere isnomoreegregiousmistakemadebydivines, thanwhentheytellpeoplethatconscienceisthevicegerentofGodwithinthesoul,andthat it isoneof thosepowerswhichretains itsancientdignity,andstandserectamidstthefallofitscompeers.Mybrethren,whenmanfellinthegarden,manhoodfellentirely;therewasnotonesinglepillarinthetemple of manhood that stood erect. It is true, conscience was notdestroyed.Thepillarwasnotshattered;itfell,anditfellinonepiece,andthere it lies along, themightiest remnantofGod'sonceperfectwork inman.Butthatconscienceisfallen,Iamsure.Lookatmen.Whoamongthem is the possessor of a "good conscience toward God," but theregeneratedman?Doyouimaginethatifmen'sconsciencesalwaysspokeloudly and clearly to them, they would live in the daily commission ofacts,whichareasopposedtotherightasdarknesstolight?No,beloved;consciencecantellmethatIamasinner,butconsciencecannotmakemefeelthatIamone.Consciencemaytellmethatsuch-and-suchathingiswrong,buthowwrongitisconscienceitselfdoesnotknow.Didanymans conscience, unenlightened by the Spirit, ever tell him that his sinsdeserved damnation?Or if conscience did do that, did it ever lead anymantofeelanabhorrenceofsinassin?Infact,didconscienceeverbringamantosuchaself-renunciation, thathedidtotallyabhorhimselfandallhisworksandcometoChrist?No,conscience,althoughitisnotdead,isruined,itspowerisimpaired,ithathnotthatclearnessofeyeandthatstrengthofhand,andthatthunderofvoice,whichithadbeforethefall;buthathceasedtoagreatdegree, toexert itssupremacy in the townofMansoul. Then, beloved, it becomes necessary for this very reason,because conscience is depraved, that theHoly Spirit should step in, toshowusourneedofaSaviour,anddrawustotheLordJesusChrist.

"Still,"saysone,"asfarasyouhavehithertogone,itappearstomethat

youconsiderthatthereasonwhymendonotcometoChrististhattheywillnot,ratherthantheycannot."True,mosttrue.Ibelievethegreatestreasonofman'sinabilityistheobstinacyofhiswill.Thatonceovercome,Ithinkthegreatstoneisrolledawayfromthesepulchre,andthehardestpartof thebattle isalreadywon.Butallowmetogoa little further.Mytextdoesnot say,"Nomanwill come,"but it says, "Noman cancome."Now, many interpreters believe that the can here, is but a strongexpressionconveyingnomoremeaningthanthewordwill.Ifeelassuredthat this is not correct. There is in man, not only unwillingness to besaved,butthereisaspiritualpowerlessnesstocometoChrist;andthisIwillprovetoeveryChristianatanyrate.Beloved,Ispeaktoyouwhohavealready been quickened by the divine grace, does not your experienceteachyouthattherearetimeswhenyouhaveawilltoserveGod,andyethavenotthepower?Haveyounotsometimesbeenobligedtosaythatyouhave wished to believe. but you have had to pray, Lord, help mineunbelief?"Because,althoughwillingenough to receiveGod's testimony,yourowncarnalnaturewastoostrongforyou,andyoufeltyouneededsupernatural help. Are you able to go into your room at any hour youchoose, and to fall upon your knees and say,"Now, it ismy will that Ishouldbeveryearnestinprayer,andthatIshoulddrawnearuntoGod?"Iask,doyoufindyourpowerequaltoyourwill?Youcouldsay,evenatthebarofGodhimself, that youare sure youarenotmistaken in yourwillingness;youarewillingtobewraptupindevotion,itisyourwillthatyoursoulshouldnotwanderfromapurecontemplationoftheLordJesusChrist,butyoufindthatyoucannotdothat,evenwhenyouarewilling,withoutthehelpoftheSpirit.Now,ifthequickenedchildofGodfindsaspiritual inability,howmuchmore thesinnerwho isdead in trespassesandsin?IfeventheadvancedChristian,afterthirtyorfortyyears,findshimselfsometimeswillingandyetpowerless-ifsuchbehisexperience,-does itnot seemmore thanlikely that thepoor sinnerwhohasnot yetbelieved,shouldfindaneedofstrengthaswellasawantofwill?

But,again,thereisanotherargument.IfthesinnerhasstrengthtocometoChrist,Ishouldliketoknowhowwearetounderstandthosecontinualdescriptionsofthesinner'sstatewhichwemeetwithinGod'sholyWord?Now,asinner is said tobedead in trespassesandsins.Will you affirmthat death implies nothing more than the absence of a will? Surely a

corpseisquiteasunableasunwilling.Oragain,donotallmenseethatthere is adistinctionbetweenwill andpower:mightnot that corpsebesufficientlyquickenedtogetawill,andyetbesopowerlessthatitcouldnot liftasmuchas itshandorfoot?Haveweneverseencases inwhichpersonshave been just sufficiently re-animated to give evidence of life,andhaveyetbeensoneardeaththattheycouldnothaveperformedtheslightestaction?Istherenotacleardifferencebetweenthegivingorthewillandthegivingofpower?Itisquitecertain,however,thatwherethewill isgiven,thepowerwill follow.Makeamanwilling,andheshallbemadepowerful;forwhenGodgivesthewill,hedoesnottantalizemanbygiving him to wish for that which he is unable to do; nevertheless hemakes such a division between the will and the power, that it shall beseenthatboththingsarequitedistinctgiftsoftheLordGod.

Then Imust ask onemore question: if all thatwere needed tomake amanwilling,doyounotatoncedegrade theHolySpirit?Arewenot inthe habit of giving all the glory of salvation wrought in us to God theSpirit? But now, if all that God the Spirit does for me is to make mewillingtodothesethingsformyself,amInotinagreatmeasureasharerwiththeHolySpiritintheglory?andmayInotboldlystandupandsay,"ItistruetheSpiritgavemethewilltodoit,butstillIdiditmyself,andtherein will I glory; for if I did these things myself without assistancefromonhigh,Iwillnotcastmycrownathisfeet;itismyowncrown,Iearnedit,andIwillkeepit."InasmuchastheHolySpiritisevermoreinScripturesetforthasthepersonwhoworkethinustowillandtodoofhisowngoodpleasure,weholdittobealegitimateinferencethathemustdosomething more for us than the mere making of us willing, and thattherefore theremustbeanother thingbesideswantofwill ina sinner -theremustbeabsoluteandactualwantofpower.

Now, before I leave this statement, letme addressmyself to you for amoment.Iamoftenchargedwithpreachingdoctrinesthatmaydoagreatdeal of hurt.Well, I shall not deny the charge, for I am not careful toanswerinthismatter.Ihavemywitnessesherepresenttoprovethatthethingswhich I have preached have done a great deal of hurt, but theyhavenotdonehurt either tomorality or toGod'sChurch; the hurthasbeenonthesideofSatan.Therearenotonesortwosbutmanyhundreds

whothismorningrejoicethattheyhavebeenbroughtneartoGod;fromhaving been profane Sabbath-breakers, drunkards, or worldly persons,theyhavebeenbrought to knowand love theLordJesusChrist; andifthisbeanyhurtmayGodofhisinfinitemercysendusathousandtimesasmuch.Butfurther,whattruthisthereintheworldwhichwillnothurta man who chooses to make hurt of it? You who preach generalredemption,areveryfondofproclaimingthegreattruthofGod'smercyto the lastmoment.Buthowdare youpreach that?Manypeoplemakehurtofitbyputtingoffthedayofgrace,andthinkingthatthelasthourmay do aswell as the first.Why, ifwe never preached anything whichman couldmisuse, and abuse,wemust hold our tongues for ever. Stillsaysone,"Wellthen,ifIcannotsavemyself,andcannotcometoChrist,Imustsitstillanddonothing."Ifmendosayso,ontheirownheadsshallbetheirdoom.Wehaveveryplainlytoldyouthattherearemanythingsyoucando.TobefoundcontinuallyinthehouseofGodisinyourpower;to study theWordofGodwithdiligence is in your power; to renounceyouroutwardsin,toforsakethevicesinwhichyouindulge,tomakeyourlifehonest,sober,andrighteous, is inyourpower.Forthisyouneednohelp from theHoly Spirit; all this you can do yourself; but to come toChrist truly is not in your power, until you are renewed by the HolyGhost.Butmarkyou, yourwantofpower isno excuse, seeing that youhave no desire to come, and are living in wilful rebellion against God.Yourwantofpowerliesmainlyintheobstinacyofnature.Supposealiarsaysthatitisnotinhispowertospeakthetruth,thathehasbeenaliarsolong,thathecannotleaveitoff;isthatanexcuseforhim?Supposeamanwhohaslongindulgedinlustshouldtellyouthathefindshislustshavesogirtabouthimlikeagreatironnetthathecannotgetridofthem,wouldyoutakethatasanexcuse?Trulyitisnoneatall.Ifadrunkardhasbecomesofoullyadrunkard,thathefindsitimpossibletopassapublic-housewithoutsteppingin,doyouthereforeexcusehim?No,becausehisinabilitytoreform,liesinhisnature,whichhehasnodesiretorestrainorconquer.Thethingthatisdone,andthethingthatcausesthethingthatisdone,beingbothfromtherootofsin,aretwoevilswhichcannotexcuseeachother,What though theEthiopiancannot changehis skin,nor theleopard his spots? It is because you have learned to do evil that youcannot now learn to do well; and instead, therefore, of letting you sitdowntoexcuseyourselves, letmeputathunderboltbeneaththeseatof

yoursloth,thatyoumaybestartledbyitandaroused.Remember,thattositstillistobedamnedtoalleternity.Oh!thatGodtheHolySpiritmightmakeuseof this truth inaverydifferentmanner!Before Ihavedone Itrust I shall be enabled to show you how it is that this truth, whichapparently condemns men and shuts them out, is, after all, the greattruth,whichhasbeenblessedtotheconversionofmen.

II.OursecondpointisTHEFATHER'SDRAWINGS."Nomancancometome,excepttheFatherwhichhathsentmedrawhim."Howthendoesthe Father draw men? Arminian divines generally say that God drawsmenbythepreachingofthegospel.Verytrue;thepreachingofthegospelis the instrument of drawingmen, but theremust be some thingmorethanthis.LetmeasktowhomdidChristaddressthesewords?Why,tothe people of Capernaum,where he had often preached, where he hadutteredmournfullyandplaintivelythewoesofthelawandtheinvitationsofthegospel. In that cityhehaddonemanymightyworksandworkedmanymiracles. In fact, such teaching and such miraculous attestationhadhegiven to them, thathedeclaredthatTyreandSidonwouldhaverepentedlongagoinsack-clothandashes,iftheyhadbeenblessedwithsuchprivileges.Now, if thepreachingofChristhimselfdidnotavail totheenabling thesemen to come toChrist, it cannotbepossible thatallthatwasintendedbythedrawingoftheFatherwassimplypreaching.No,brethren,youmustnoteagain,hedoesnotsaynomancancomeexcepttheminister draw him, but except the Father draw him. Now there issuch a thing as beingdrawnby the gospel, anddrawnby theminister,withoutbeingdrawnbyGod.Clearly,itisadivinedrawingthatismeant,adrawingbytheMostHighGod-theFirstPersonofthemostgloriousTrinity sendingout theThirdPerson, theHolySpirit, to inducemen tocometoChrist.Anotherpersonturnsroundandsayswithasneer,"Thendo you think that Christ drags men to himself, seeing that they areunwilling!"Iremembermeetingoncewithamanwhosaidtome,Sir,youpreachthatChristtakespeoplebythehairoftheirheadsanddragsthemtohimself"IaskedhimwhetherhecouldrefertothedateofthesermonwhereinIpreachedthatextraordinarydoctrine, for ifhecould,Ishouldbe verymuch obliged. However, he could not. But said I, while Christdoesnotdragpeopletohimselfbythehairoftheirheads,Ibelievethat,hedrawsthembytheheartquiteaspowerfullyasyourcaricaturewould

suggest. Mark that in the Father's drawing there is no compulsionwhatever; Christ never compelled anyman to come to him against hiswill.Ifamanbeunwillingtobesaved,Christdoesnotsavehimagainsthiswill.How,then,doestheHolySpiritdrawhim?Why,bymakinghimwilling. It is true he does not use "moral suasion;" he knows a nearermethodofreachingtheheart.Hegoestothesecretfountainoftheheart,andheknowshow,bysomemysteriousoperation,toturnthewillinanopposite direction, so that, as Ralph Erskine paradoxically puts it, themanissaved"withfull consentagainsthiswill;" that is,againsthisoldwillheissaved.Butheissavedwithfullconsent,forheismadewillinginthedayofGod'spower.Donot imaginethatanymanwillgotoheavenkickingandstrugglingall thewayagainst thehand thatdrawshim.DonotconceivethatanymanwillbeplungedinthebathofaSaviour'sbloodwhileheisstrivingtorunawayfromtheSaviour.Oh,no.Itisquitetruethat firstofallmanisunwillingtobesaved.WhentheHolySpirithathputhisinfluenceintotheheart,thetextisfulfilled-"drawmeandIwillrunafter thee."We followonwhilehedrawsus,glad toobey thevoicewhichoncewehaddespised.Butthegistofthematterliesintheturningofthewill.Howthatisdonenofleshknoweth;itisoneofthosemysteriesthat isclearlyperceivedasa fact,but thecauseofwhichno tonguecantell, and no heart can guess. The apparentway, however, in which theHolySpiritoperates,wecantellyou.ThefirstthingtheHolySpiritdoeswhenhecomesintoaman'sheartisthis:hefindshimwithaverygoodopinionofhimself:andthereisnothingwhichpreventsamancomingtoChrist like a good opinion of himself.Why, saysman, "I don'twant tocometoChrist. Ihaveasgoodarighteousnessasanybodycandesire.IfeelIcanwalkintoheavenonmyownrights."TheHolySpiritlaysbarehisheart,letshimseetheloathsomecancerthatisthereeatingawayhislife,uncoverstohimalltheblacknessanddefilementofthatsinkofhell,thehumanheart,andthenthemanstandsaghast."IneverthoughtIwaslike this. Oh! those sins I thought were little, have swelled out to animmense stature. What I thought was a mole-hill has grown into amountain; it was but the hyssop on the wall before, but now it hasbecomeacedarofLebanon.Oh,"saiththemanwithinhimself,"Iwilltryandreform;Iwilldogooddeedsenoughtowashtheseblackdeedsout."ThencomestheHolySpiritandshowshimthathecannotdothis,takesawayallhisfanciedpowerandstrength,sothatthemanfallsdownonhis

kneesinagony,andcries,"Oh!onceIthoughtIcouldsavemyselfbymygoodworks,butnowIfindthat

"Couldmytearsforeverflow,Couldmyzealnorespiteknow,Allforsincouldnotatone,Thoumustsaveandthoualone.'"

Then theheart sinks, and theman is ready todespair.And saithhe, "Inevercanbesaved.Nothingcansaveme."Then,comes theHolySpiritandshows the sinner the cross of Christ, gives him eyes anointedwithheavenly eye-salve, and says, "Look to yonder cross. that Man died tosavesinners;youfeelthatyouareasinner;hediedtosaveyou."Andheenablesthehearttobelieve,andtocometoChrist.AndwhenitcomestoChrist, by this sweet drawing of the Spirit, it finds "a peace with Godwhich passeth all understanding, which keeps his heart and mindthrough JesusChrist our Lord." Now, youwill plainly perceive that allthis may be done without any compulsion. Man is as much drawnwillingly,asifhewerenotdrawnatall;andhecomestoChristwithfullconsent, with as full a consent as if no secret influence had ever beenexercisedinhisheart.Butthatinfluencemustbeexercised,orelsethereneverhasbeenandthereneverwillbe,anymanwhoeithercanorwillcometotheLordJesusChrist.

III.And,now,wegatherupourends,andconcludebytryingtomakeapractical application of the doctrine; and we trust a comfortable one."Well,"saysone,"ifwhatthismanpreachesbetrue,whatistobecomeofmyreligion?fordoyouknowIhavebeenalongwhiletrying,andIdonotlike tohear you say aman cannot savehimself. I believehe can, and Imeantopersevere;butifIamtobelievewhatyousay,Imustgiveitallupandbeginagain."Mydearfriends,itwillbeaveryhappythingifyoudo.Donot think that I shallbeatall alarmed if youdoso.Remember,whatyouaredoingisbuildingyourhouseuponthesand,anditisbutanactofcharityifIcanshakeitalittleforyou.Letmeassureyou,inGod'sname,ifyourreligionhasnobetterfoundationthanyourownstrength,itwillnotstandyouatthebarofGod.Nothingwilllasttoeternity,butthatwhich came frometernity.Unless the everlastingGodhas done a goodworkinyourheart,allyoumayhavedonemustbeunravelledatthelast

dayofaccount.Itisallinvainforyoutobeachurch-goerorchapel-goer,agoodkeeperoftheSabbath,anobserverofyourprayers:itisallinvainfor you to be honest to your neighbours and reputable in yourconversation;ifyouhopetobesavedbythesethings,itisallinvainforyoutotrust in them.Goon;beashonestasyou like,keep theSabbathperpetually,beasholyasyoucan.Iwouldnotdissuadeyoufromthesethings.Godforbid;growinthem,butoh,donottrustinthem,forifyourelyuponthesethingsyouwillfindtheywillfailyouwhenmostyouneedthem.Andiftherebeanythingelsethatyouhavefoundyourselfabletodounassistedbydivinegrace,thesooneryoucangetridofthehopethathasbeenengenderedby it thebetter foryou, for it isa fouldelusiontorely upon anything that flesh can do. A spiritual heaven must beinhabitedbyspiritualmen,andpreparationforitmustbewroughtbytheSpiritofGod."Well,"criesanother,"IhavebeensittingunderaministrywhereIhavebeentoldthatIcould,atmyownoption,repentandbelieve,andtheconsequenceisthatIhavebeenputtingitofffromdaytoday.IthoughtIcouldcomeonedayaswellasanother;thatIhadonlytosay,"Lord, havemercy uponme,' and believe, and then I should be saved.Nowyouhavetakenallthishopeawayforme,sir;Ifeelamazementandhorror taking hold uponme." Again, I say, "My dear friend, I am verygladof it.ThiswastheeffectwhichIhopedtoproduce.Ipraythatyoumay feel this a great deal more. When you have no hope of savingyourself,IshallhavehopethatGodhasbeguntosaveyou.Assoonasyousay"Oh,IcannotcometoChrist.Lord,drawme,helpme,'Ishallrejoiceover you. He who has got a will, though he has not power, has gracebeguninhisheart,andGodwillnotleavehimuntiltheworkisfinished."But, careless sinner, learn that thy salvation nowhangs inGod's hand.Oh, remember thou art entirely in the hand of God. Thou hast sinnedagainsthim,andifhewills todamnthee,damnedthouart.Thoucanstnotresisthiswillnorthwarthispurpose.Thouhastdeservedhiswrath,and if he chooses to pour the full shower of thatwrathupon thyhead,thoucanstdonothingtoavertit.If,ontheotherhand,hechoosestosavethee,heisabletosavetheetotheveryuttermost.Butthouliestasmuchinhis hand as the summer'smoth beneath thine own finger.He is theGodwhomthouartgrievingeveryday.Dothitnotmaketheetrembletothinkthatthyeternaldestinynowhangsuponthewillofhimwhomthouhastangeredandincensed?Dostnotthismakethykneesknocktogether,

andthybloodcurdle?IfitdoessoIrejoice,inasmuchasthismaybethefirsteffectoftheSpirit'sdrawinginthysoul.Oh,trembletothinkthattheGodwhomthouhastangered,istheGoduponwhomthysalvationorthycondemnation entirely depends. Tremble and "kiss the Son lest he beangryandyeperishfromthewaywhilehiswrathiskindledbutalittle,"

Now, the comfortable reflection is this: -Someof you thismorningareconsciousthatyouarecomingtoChrist.Haveyounotbeguntoweepthepenitential tear?Didnotyourclosetwitnessyourprayerfulpreparationfor the hearing of the Word of God? And during the service of thismorning,hasnotyourheartsaidwithinyou,"Lord,saveme,orIperish,forsavemyselfIcannot?"Andcouldyounotnowstandupinyourseat,andsing,

"Oh,sovereigngracemyheartsubdue;Iwouldbeledintriumph,too,AwillingcaptiveofmyLord,TosingthetriumphofhisWord"?

Andhave I notmyself heard you say in your heart - "Jesus, Jesus,mywholetrustIsinthee:Iknowthatnorighteousnessofmyowncansaveme,butonlythou,OChrist-sinkorswim,Icastmyselfonthee?"Oh,mybrother, thou art drawn by the Father, for thou couldst not have comeunlesshehaddrawnthee.Sweetthought!Andifhehasdrawnthee,dostthouknowwhat is thedelightful inference?Letmerepeatonetext,andmaythatcomfortthee:"TheLordhathappearedofolduntome,saying,Ihave loved theewith an everlasting love: thereforewith lovingkindnesshaveIdrawnthee."Yes,mypoorweepingbrother,inasmuchasthouartnow coming to Christ, God has drawn thee; and inasmuch as he hasdrawnthee,itisaproofthathehaslovedtheefrombeforethefoundationoftheworld.Letthyheartleapwithinthee,thouartoneofhis.ThynamewaswrittenontheSaviour'shandswhentheywerenailedtotheaccursedtree.Thynameglittersonthebreast-plateofthegreatHighPriestto-day;ay, and it was there before the day-star knew its place, or planets rantheirround.Rejoice in theLordye thathavecome toChrist,andshoutforjoyallyethathavebeendrawnoftheFather.Forthis isyourproof,yoursolemntestimony, thatyou fromamongmenhavebeenchosen ineternalelection,andthatyoushallbekeptbythepowerofGod,through

faith,untothesalvationwhichisreadytoberevealed.

UnconditionalElection

“ButweareboundtogivethanksalwaystoGodforyou,brethrenbelovedoftheLord,becauseGodhasfromthebeginningchosenyoutosalvationthroughsanctificationoftheSpiritandbeliefofthetruth:WhereuntoHecalledyoubyourGospel,totheobtainingofthegloryofourLordJesusChrist.”–2Thessalonians2:13,14.

IFtherewerenoothertextintheSacredWordexceptthisoneIthinkweshould all bebound to receive and acknowledge the truthfulness of thegreat and glorious doctrine of God’s ancient choice of His family. Butthereseemstobeaninveterateprejudiceinthehumanmindagainstthisdoctrine—and although most other doctrines will be received byprofessingChristians,somewithcaution,otherswithpleasure—thisoneseemstobemost frequentlydisregardedanddiscarded. Inmanyofourpulpits itwouldbereckonedahighsinandtreasontopreachasermonuponelectionbecausetheycouldnotmakeitwhattheycalla“practical”discourse.

Ibelievetheyhaveerredfromthetruth.WhateverGodhasrevealedHehasrevealedforapurpose.ThereisnothinginScripturewhichmaynot,undertheinfluenceofGod’sSpirit,beturnedintoapracticaldiscourse—“forallScriptureisgivenbyinspirationofGodandisprofitable”forsomepurposeofspiritualusefulness.Itistrue,itmaynotbeturnedintoafreewill discourse—that we know right well—but it can be turned into apracticalfreegracediscourse.Andfreegracepracticeisthebestpracticewhen the true doctrines of God’s immutable love are brought to bearupontheheartsofsaintsandsinners.Now,Itrustthismorningsomeofyouwhoarestartledattheverysoundofthiswordwillsay,“Iwillgiveitafairhearing.Iwilllayasidemyprejudices,Iwilljusthearwhatthismanhastosay.”

Do not shut your ears and say at once, “It is high doctrine.”Who has

authorizedyoutocallithighorlow?WhyshouldyouopposeyourselftoGod’sdoctrine?Rememberwhatbecameofthechildrenwhofoundfaultwith God’s Prophet and exclaimed, “Go up, you bald-head; go up, youbald-head.” Say nothing against God’s doctrines, lest haply some evilbeastshouldcomeoutoftheforestanddevouryou,also.ThereareotherwoesbesidetheopenjudgmentofHeaven—takeheedthatthesefallnoton your head. Lay aside your prejudices—listen calmly, listendispassionately—hearwhatScripturesays.

Andwhenyoureceive the truth, ifGodshouldbepleased to revealandmanifestittoyoursouls,donotbeashamedtoconfessit.Toconfessyouwerewrongyesterday is only to acknowledge that you are a littlewisertoday. Instead of being a reflection on yourself, it is an honor to yourjudgment and shows that you are improving in the knowledge of theTruth of God. Do not be ashamed to learn and to cast aside your olddoctrinesandviews.ButtakeupthatwhichyoumaymoreplainlyseetobeintheWordofGod.AndifyoudonotseeittobehereintheBible—whateverImaysay,orwhateverauthoritiesImayplead—Ibeseechyou,as you love your souls, reject it. And if from this pulpit you ever hearthings contrary to this SacredWord, remember that the Biblemust befirstandGod’sministermustlieunderneathit.

WemustnotstandontheBibletopreach—wemustpreachwiththeBibleaboveourheads.Afterallwehavepreached,wearewellawarethatthemountain of truth is higher than our eyes can discern—clouds anddarknessareroundaboutitssummitandwecannotdiscernitstopmostpinnacle.Yetwewilltrytopreachitaswellaswecan.Butsincewearemortal and liable to err, exercise your judgment—“Try the spirits,whether they are of God”—and if onmature reflection on your bendedknees you are led to disregard election—a thingwhich I consider to beutterly impossible—then forsake it.Donothear itpreached,butbelieveandconfesswhateveryouseetobeGod’sWord.Icansaynomorethanthatbywayofintroduction.

Now, first. I shall speak a little concerning the truthfulness of thisdoctrine—“God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation.”Secondly,Ishalltrytoprovethatthiselectionisabsolute—“Hehasfromthe beginning chosen you to salvation,” not for sanctification, but

“throughsanctificationoftheSpiritandbeliefofthetruth.”Thirdly,thiselection is eternal because the text says, “God has from the beginningchosenyou.”Fourthly,itispersonal—“Hehaschosenyou.”

Thenwewill look at the effects of the doctrine—seewhat it does. Andlastly,asGodmayenableus,wewilltryandlookatitstendenciesandseewhether it is indeeda terrible and licentiousdoctrine.Wewill take theflowerandliketruebees,seewhetherthereisanyhoneywhateverinit—whetheranygoodcancomeofit—orwhetheritisanunmixed,undilutedevil.

I.First,ImusttryandprovethatthedoctrineisTRUE.Andletmebeginwithanargumentumadhominen—Iwillspeaktoyouaccordingtoyourdifferentpositionsandstations.TherearesomeofyouwhobelongtotheChurchofEnglandandIamhappytoseesomanyofyouhere.Thoughnow and then I certainly say some very hard things about Church andState, yet I love the old Church, for she has in her communion manygodlyministersandeminentsaints.NowIknowyouaregreatBelieversin what the Articles declare to be sound doctrine. I will give you aspecimen of what they utter concerning election, so that if you believethem,youcannotavoidreceivingelection.Iwillreadaportionofthe17thArticleuponPredestinationandElection:

“PredestinationtolifeistheeverlastingpurposeofGod,whereby(beforethefoundationsoftheworldwerelaid)HehascontinuallydecreedbyHiscounselsecrettous,todeliverfromcurseanddamnationthosewhomHehas chosen in Christ out of mankind and to bring them by Christ toeverlastingsalvation,asvesselsmadetohonor.Whereforetheywhichareenduedwith soexcellentabenefitofGodare called according toGod’spurposebyHisSpiritworkingindueseason:theythroughgraceobeythecalling:theyarejustifiedfreely:theyaremadesonsofGodbyadoption:theyaremadeliketheimageofHisonly-begottenSonJesusChrist:theywalkreligiouslyingoodworksandatlength,byGod’smercy,theyattaintoeverlastingfelicity.”

Now, I think any Churchman, if he is a sincere and honest believer inMotherChurch,mustbeathoroughbelieverinelection.True,ifheturnstocertainotherportionsofthePrayerBook,hewillfindthingscontrary

to the doctrines of free grace and altogether apart from Scripturalteaching.ButifhelooksattheArticles,hemustseethatGodhaschosenHispeopleuntoeternallife.Iamnotsodesperatelyenamored,however,ofthatbookasyoumaybe—andIhaveonlyusedthisArticletoshowyouthat if you belong to the Establishment of England you should at leastoffernoobjectiontothisdoctrineofpredestination.

Another human authority whereby I would confirm the doctrine ofelection is the oldWaldensian Creed. If you read the creed of the oldWaldenses—emanating from them in the midst of the burning heat ofpersecution—youwillseethattheserenownedprofessorsandconfessorsoftheChristianfaithdidmostfirmlyreceiveandembracethisdoctrineasbeingaportionoftheTruthofGod.Ihavecopiedfromanoldbookoneof the Articles of their faith: “That God saves from corruption anddamnation those whom He has chosen from the foundations of theworld,notforanydisposition,faith,orholinessthatbeforesawinthem,butofHismeremercy inChrist JesusHisSon,passingbyall the restaccordingtotheirreprehensiblereasonofHisownfreewillandjustice.”

It is no novelty, then, that I am preaching no new doctrine. I love toproclaim these strong old doctrines which are called by nicknameCalvinismbutwhicharesurelyandverilytherevealedTruthofGodasitisinChristJesus.BythistruthImakeapilgrimageintothepastandasIgoIseefatherafterfather,confessorafterconfessor,martyraftermartyr,standinguptoshakehandswithme.WereIaPelagian,orabelieverinthe doctrine of free will, I should have to walk for centuries all alone.HereandthereahereticofnoveryhonorablecharactermightriseupandcallmeBrother.Buttakingthesethingstobethestandardofmyfaith,Isee the land of the ancients peopled with my Brothers and Sisters—Ibeholdmultitudeswho confess the same as I do and acknowledge thatthisisthereligionofGod’sownChurch.

IalsogiveyouanextractfromtheoldBaptistConfession.WeareBaptistsinthiscongregation—thegreaterpartofusatanyrate—andweliketoseewhat our own forefathers wrote. Some two hundred years ago theBaptistsassembledtogetherandpublishedtheirarticlesoffaithtoputanendtocertainreportsagainsttheirorthodoxywhichhadgoneforthtotheworld. I turn to this old book—which I have just published— Baptist

ConfessionofFaith—andI findthefollowingasthe3rdArticle:“BythedecreeofGodfor themanifestationofHisglorysomemenandangelsarepredestinated,orforeordainedtoeternallifethroughJesusChristtothepraiseofHisgloriousgrace.Othersbeing left toact in theirsintotheir just condemnation to the praise of His glorious justice. Theseangelsandmen thuspredestinatedand foreordained,areparticularlyand unchangeably designed and their number so certain and definitethatitcannotbeeitherincreasedordiminished.Thoseofmankindthatare predestinated to life,God, before the foundation of theworldwaslaid, according to His eternal and immutable purpose and the secretcounsel and good pleasure of His will, has chosen in Christ untoeverlastinggloryoutofHismerefreegraceandlove,withoutanyotherthinginthecreatureasconditionorcausemovingHimhereunto.”

Asforthesehumanauthorities,Icarenotonerushforallthreeofthem.Icarenotwhat theysay,proorcon,as to thisdoctrine. Ihaveonlyusedthemasakindofconfirmationtoyourfaith,toshowyouthatwhileImayberaileduponasahereticandasahyper-Calvinist,afterallIambackedupbyantiquity.Allthepaststandsbyme.Idonotcareforthepresent.GivemethepastandIwillhopeforthefuture.Letthepresentriseupinmyteeth,Iwillnotcare.WhatthoughahostoftheChurchesofLondonmayhaveforsakenthegreatcardinaldoctrinesofGod,itmattersnot.Ifahandful of us stand alone in an unflinching maintenance of thesovereigntyofourGod,ifwearebesetbyenemies,yes,andevenbyourown Brothers and Sisters who ought to be our friends and helpers, itmatters not—if we can but count upon the past— the noble army ofmartyrs, theglorioushost of confessors.Theyareour friends.Theyarethewitnessesoftruthandtheystandbyus.Withtheseforus,wewillnotsaythatwestandalone,butwemayexclaim,“Lo,GodhasreserveduntoHimselfseventhousandthathavenotbowedthekneeuntoBaal.”Butthebestofallis—Godiswithus!

The great Truth of God is always the Bible and the Bible alone. MyHearers,youdonotbelieveinanyotherbookthantheBible,doyou?IfIcouldprovethisfromallthebooksinChristendom—ifIcouldfetchbacktheAlexandrianlibraryandproveitthere—youwouldnotbelieveitanymore.ButyousurelywillbelievewhatisinGod’sWord.Ihaveselecteda

fewtextstoreadtoyou.IlovetogiveyouawholevolleyoftextswhenIamafraidyouwilldistrustatruthsothatyoumaybetooastonishedtodoubt,ifyoudonotinrealitybelieve.Justletmerunthroughacatalogueof passages where the people of God are called elect. Of course if thepeople are called elect, theremust be election. If Jesus Christ andHisApostleswereaccustomedtocallBelieversbythetitleofelect,wemustcertainly believe that they were so, otherwise the term does not meananything. JesusChrist says, “Except that theLordhad shortened thosedays, no flesh should be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whomHe haschosen,Hehasshortenedthedays.”

“False Christs and false prophets shall rise and shall show signs andwonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.” “Then shall HesendHisangelsandshallgathertogetherHiselectfromthefourwinds,fromtheuttermostpartsoftheearthtotheuttermostpartofHeaven.”—Mark13:20,22,27.“ShallnotGodavengeHisownelectwhocrydayandnightuntoHim,thoughHebearlongwiththem?”—Luke18:7.Togetherwithmany other passages whichmight be selected, wherein either theword“elect,”or“chosen,”or“foreordained,”or“appointed,”ismentioned—or the phrase “My sheep,” or some similar designation, showing thatChrist’speoplearedistinguishedfromtherestofmankind.

But you have concordances and I will not trouble you with texts.ThroughouttheEpistlesthesaintsareconstantlycalled“theelect.”IntheColossians we find Paul saying, “Put on therefore, as the elect of God,holyandbeloved,bowelsofmercies.”Whenhewrites toTitus,he callshimself,“Paul,aservantofGodandanApostleofJesusChrist,accordingto the faith of God’s elect.” Peter says, “Elect according to theforeknowledgeofGodtheFather.”ThenifyouturntoJohn,youwillfindheisveryfondoftheword.Hesays,“Theeldertotheelectlady.”Andhespeaksofour“electsister.”Andweknowwhereitiswritten,“ThechurchthatisatBabylon,electedtogetherwithyou.”

Theywerenotashamedofthewordinthosedays.Theywerenotafraidtotalkaboutit.Nowadaysthewordhasbeendressedupwithdiversitiesofmeaning and persons have mutilated and marred the doctrine so thattheyhavemadeitaverydoctrineofdevils.Idoconfess thatmanywhocall themselves Believers have gone to rank Antinomianism. But not

withstandingthis,whyshouldIbeashamedofit,ifmenwrestit?WeloveGod’s Truth on the rack aswell aswhen it iswalking upright. If therewereamartyrwhomwelovedbeforehecameontherackweshouldlovehimmorestillwhenhewasstretchedthere.

WhenGod’sTruth is stretchedon the rack,wedonot call it falsehood.Welovenottoseeitrackedbutweloveitevenwhenrackedbecausewecandiscernwhatitsproperproportionsoughttohavebeenif ithadnotbeenrackedandtorturedbythecrueltyandinventionsofmen.IfyouwillreadmanyoftheEpistlesoftheancientfathersyouwillfindthemalwayswriting to the people of God as the “elect.” Indeed the commonconversationaltermusedamongmanyof theChurchesbytheprimitiveChristians tooneanotherwas that of the “elect.”Theywould oftenusethe term to one another showing that itwas generally believed that allGod’speopleweremanifestly“elect.”

Butnowfortheversesthatwillpositivelyprovethedoctrine.OpenyourBiblesandturntoJohn15:16andthereyouwillseethatJesusChristhaschosen His people, for He says, “You have not chosenMe, but I havechosen you and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruitand that your fruit should remain: thatwhatsoeveryou shall askof theFatherinMyname,Hemaygiveityou.”Theninthe19thverse,“Ifyouwereoftheworld,theworldwouldlovehisown,butbecauseyouarenotoftheworld,butIhavechosenyououtoftheworld,thereforetheworldhatesyou.”Theninthe17thchapterandthe8thand9thverses,“ForIhave given unto them the words which You gave Me; and they havereceivedthemandhaveknownsurelythatIcameoutfromYouandtheyhavebelieved thatYoudidsendMe. Ipray for them:Ipraynot for theworld,butforthemwhichYouhavegivenMefortheyareYours.”

Turn toActs 13:48: “Andwhen theGentiles heard this, theywere gladand glorified theWord of the Lord; and asmany as were ordained toeternallifebelieved.”Theymaytrytosplitthatpassageintohairsiftheylike—butitsays,“ordainedtoeternal life” intheoriginalasplainlyas itpossibly can. Andwe do not care about all the different commentariesthereupon. You scarcely need to be reminded of Romans 8, because Itrustyouareallwell-acquaintedwiththatchapterandunderstanditbythis time. In the 29th and following verses, it says, “ForwhomHe did

foreknow,HealsodidpredestinatetobeconformedtotheimageofHisSon, that Hemight be the firstborn amongmany Brethren.Moreover,whomHe did predestinate, themHe also called: andwhomHe called,themHe also justified and whomHe justified, themHe also glorified.What shall we then say to these things? If God is for us, who can beagainstus?HethatsparednotHisownSon,butdeliveredHimupforusall,howshallHenotwithHimalsofreelygiveusallthings?WhoshalllayanythingtothechargeofGod’select?”

Itwould also be unnecessary to repeat thewhole of the 9th chapter ofRomans.As long as that remains in theBible, noman shall be able toproveArminianism.Solongasthatiswrittenthere,notthemostviolentcontortionsofthepassagewilleverbeabletoexterminatethedoctrineofelection from theScriptures.Letus read suchversesasthese—“Forthechildrenbeingnotyetborn,neitherhavingdoneanygoodorevil,thatthepurpose ofGod according to electionmight stand,not ofworks, but ofHimthatcalls; itwassaiduntoher,Theeldershallservetheyounger.”Thenreadthe22ndverse,“WhatifGod,willingtoshowHiswrathandtomakeHispowerknown,enduredwithmuchlongsufferingthevesselsofwrathfittedtodestruction?AndthatHemightmakeknowntherichesofHis glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had afore prepared untoglory?”

Then go on to Romans 11:7—“What then? Israel has not obtained thatwhich he seeks for; but the election has obtained it and the rest wereblinded.”Inthe6thverseofthesamechapter,weread—“Evensothenatthis present time also there is a remnant according to the election ofgrace.”You,nodoubt,allrecollectthepassagein1Corinthians1:26-29:“Foryouseeyourcalling,Brethren,howthatnotmanywisemenaftertheflesh,notmanymighty,notmanynoblearecalled:butGodhaschosenthefoolishthingsoftheworldtoconfoundthewise;andGodhaschosentheweak thingsof theworld to confound the thingswhich aremighty;and base things of the world and things which are despised, has Godchosen, yes and thingswhich arenot, to bring tonothing thingswhichare:thatnofleshshouldgloryinHispresence.”

Again, remember the passage in 1 Thessalonians 5:9—“God has notappointedustowrath,buttoobtainsalvationbyourLordJesusChrist,”

andthenyouhavemytext,whichmethinkswouldbequiteenough.But,if youneedanymore, you can find themat your leisure ifwehavenotquite removed your suspicions as to the doctrine not being true.Methinks, my Friends, that this overwhelming mass of Scripturetestimonymust stagger thosewhodare to laugh at this doctrine.Whatshall we say of those who have so often despised it and denied itsDivinity?What shall we say to thosewho have railed at its justice anddaredtodefyGodandcallHimanAlmightytyrant,whentheyhaveheardofHishavingelectedsomanytoeternallife?Canyou,ORejecter,castitoutoftheBible?CanyoutakethepenknifeofJehudiandcutitoutoftheWordofGod?

WouldyoubelikethewomenatthefeetofSolomonandhavethechildrentinhalvesthatyoumighthaveyourhalf?IsitnothereinScripture?Andisitnotyourdutytobowbeforeitandmeeklyacknowledgewhatyouunderstand not—to receive it as the Truth even though you could notunderstanditsmeaning?IwillnotattempttoprovethejusticeofGodinhavingthuselectedsomeandleftothers.ItisnotformetovindicatemyMaster.HewillspeakforHimselfandHedoesso—“But,Oman,whoareyou that replies against God? Shall the thing formed say to Him thatformedit,Whyhaveyoumademethus?Hasnotthepotterpoweroverthe clay of the same lump tomake one vessel unto honor and anotheruntodishonor?”Whoishethatshallsayuntohisfather,“Whathaveyoubegotten?...oruntohismother,“Whathaveyoubroughtforth?”“IamtheLord—Iformthe lightandcreatedarkness. I, theLord,doall thesethings.WhoareyouthatrepliesagainstGod?TrembleandkissHisrod;bowdownandsubmittoHisscepter;impugnnotHisjusticeandarraignnotHisactsbeforeyourbar,Oman!”

Buttherearesomewhosay,“ItishardforGodtochoosesomeandleaveothers.”Now, Iwill askyouonequestion. Is thereanyofyouhere thismorningwhowishestobeholy,whowishestoberegenerate,toleaveoffsinandwalkinholiness?“Yes,thereis,”sayssomeone,“Ido.”ThenGodhas elected you.But another says, “No. Idon’twant tobeholy. I don’twanttogiveupmylustsandmyvices.”Whyshouldyougrumble,then,thatGodhasnotelectedyou?Forifyouwereelectedyouwouldnotlikeit,accordingtoyourownconfession.IfGodthismorninghadchosenyou

toholiness, you sayyouwouldnot care for it.Doyounot acknowledgethatyoupreferdrunkennesstosobriety,dishonestytohonesty?Youlovethisworld’spleasuresbetterthanreligion—thenwhyshouldyougrumblethatGodhasnotchosenyoutoreligion?

If you love religion, He has chosen you to it. If you desire it, He haschosenyoutoit.Ifyoudonot,whatrighthaveyoutosaythatGodoughttohavegivenyouwhatyoudonotwishfor?SupposingIhadinmyhandsomethingwhichyoudonotvalueandIsaidIshallgiveittosuch-and-suchaperson—youwouldhavenorighttogrumblethatIdidnotgiveittoyou.Youcouldnotbesofoolishastogrumblethattheotherhasgotwhatyoudonotcareabout.Accordingtoyourownconfessionmanyofyoudonotwantreligion—donotwantanewheartandarightspirit—donotwanttheforgivenessofsins.Youdonotwantsanctification.Youdonotwanttobeelectedtothesethings—thenwhyshouldyougrumble?

YoucountthesethingsbutashusksandwhyshouldyoucomplainofGodwhohasgiventhemtothosewhomHehaschosen?Ifyoubelievethemtobegoodanddesirethem,theyarethereforyou.Godgivesliberallytoallthosewhodesire—butfirstofallHemakesthemdesire—otherwisetheyneverwould.Ifyoulovethesethings,Hehaselectedyoutothemandyoumayhavethem.Butifyoudonot,whoareyouthatyoushouldfindfaultwithGodwhenit isyourowndesperatewill thatkeepsyoufromlovingthesethings?Supposeamaninthestreetshouldsay,“WhatashameitisIcannothaveaseatintheChapeltohearwhatthismanhastosay.”Andsupposehesays,“Ihatethepreacher—Ican’tbearhisdoctrine—butstillit’sashameIhavenotaseat.”

Would you expect aman to say so?No—youwould at once say, “Thatman does not care for it. Why should he trouble himself about otherpeoplehavingwhattheyvalueandhedespises?”Youdonotlikeholiness,youdonotlikerighteousness.IfGodhaselectedmetothesethings,hasHe hurt you by it? “Ah, but,” say some, “I thought it meant that GodelectedsometoHeavenandsometoHell.”Thatisaverydifferentmatterfrom the Gospel doctrine. He has elected men to holiness and torighteousnessandthroughthattoHeaven.YoumustnotsaythatHehaselected these simply toHeaven andothers only toHell.He has electedyoutoholinessifyouloveholiness.IfanyofyoulovetobesavedbyJesus

Christ—JesusChristelectedyoutobesaved.Ifanyofyoudesiretohavesalvation you are elected to have it—if you desire it sincerely andearnestly. But, if you don’t desire it, why on earth should you be sopreposterously foolishas togrumblebecauseGodgives that,whichyoudonotlike,tootherpeople?

II. Thus I have tried to say somethingwith regard to the Truth of thedoctrineofelection.Andnow,briefly,letmesaythatelectionisabsolute,that is, it does not depend upon what we are. The text says, “God hasfromthebeginningchosenusuntosalvation.”ButouropponentssaythatGod chooses people because they are good—that He chooses them onaccountofsundryworkswhichtheyhavedone.Now,weaskinreplytothis,whatworks are those on account ofwhichGod electsHis people?Are theywhatwe commonly call “works of Law”?—works of obediencewhichthecreaturecanrender?Ifso,wereplytoyou—Ifmencannotbejustified by theworks of the Law, it seems to us pretty clear that theycannotbeelectedbytheworksoftheLaw.Iftheycannotbejustifiedbytheirgooddeeds,theycannotbesavedbythem.

Thenthedecreeofelectioncouldnothavebeenformedupongoodworks.“But,”sayothers,“Godelectedthemontheforesightoftheirfaith.”NowGodgivesfaith,thereforeHecouldnothaveelectedthemonaccountoffaithwhichHeforesaw.ThereshallbetwentybeggarsinthestreetandIdetermine to give one of them a shilling. Will anyone say that Idetermined to give that one a shilling—that I elected him to have theshilling—becauseIforesawthathewouldhaveit?Thatwouldbetalkingnonsense.

In like manner to say that God elected men because He foresaw theywouldhave faith—which is salvation in the germ—wouldbe tooabsurdfor us to listen to for amoment. Faith is the gift of God. Every virtuecomes from Him. Therefore it cannot have caused Him to elect men,because it is His gift. Election, we are sure, is absolute and altogetherapart fromthevirtueswhichthesaintshaveafterwards.What ifasaintshouldbe asholy anddevout asPaul?What if he shouldbe asbold asPeter, or as loving as John? Still he could claim nothing but what hereceivedfromhisMaker.

IneverknewasaintyetofanydenominationwhothoughtthatGodsavedhim because He foresaw that he would have these virtues and merits.Now,myBrethren, thebest jewels that thesainteverwears, if theyarejewels of our own fashioning, are not of the first water. There issomethingofearthmixedwiththem.Thehighestgraceweeverpossesshas something of earthliness about it. We feel this when we are mostrefined,whenwearemostsanctifiedandourlanguagemustalwaysbe—

“Ithechiefofsinnersam;

Jesusdiedforme.”

Our only hope, our only plea, still hangs on grace as exhibited in thePerson of Jesus Christ. And I am sure we must utterly reject anddisregardallthoughtthatourgraces,whicharegiftsofourLord,whichareHisrighthandplanting,couldhaveevercausedHislove.Andweevermustsing—

“Whatwasthereinusthatcouldmeritesteem

OrgivetheCreatordelight?

Itwasevenso,Father,weevermustsing,

BecauseitseemedgoodinYoursight”

“HewillhavemercyonwhomHewillhavemercy.”HesavesbecauseHewillsave.AndifyouaskmewhyHesavesme,IcanonlysaybecauseHewoulddoit.IsthereanythinginmethatshouldrecommendmetoGod?No. I layasideeverything. Ihadnothing torecommendme.WhenGodsavedmeIwasthemostabject, lostandruinedof therace.I laybeforeHimasan infant inmyblood.Verily, Ihadnopower tohelpmyself.OhowwretcheddidIfeelandknowmyselftobe!Ityouhadsomethingtorecommend you to God, I never had. I will be content to be saved bygrace,unalloyed,puregrace. Icanboastofnomerits. Ifyoucandoso,stillIcannot.Imustsing—

“Freegracealonefromthefirsttothelast

Haswonmyaffectionandheldmysoulfast.”

III. Then, thirdly, this election is ETERNAL. “God has from thebeginningchosenyouuntoeternal life.”Cananyman tellmewhen thebeginning was? Years ago we thought the beginning of this world waswhen Adam came upon it. But we have discovered that thousands ofyearsbeforethatGodwaspreparingchaoticmattertomakeitafitabodefor man, putting races of creatures upon it who might die and leavebehindthemarksofHishandiworkandmarvelousskillbeforeHetriedHishandonman.Butthatwasnotthebeginning,forRevelationpointsustoaperiodlongbeforethisworldwasfashioned—tothedayswhenthemorningstarswerebegotten—when, likedropsofdew, fromthefingersof themorning stars and constellations fell trickling from the hand ofGod.When,byHisown lips,He launched forthponderousorbs.WhenwithHisownhandHesentcomets,likethunderbolts,wanderingthroughtheskytofindonedaytheirpropersphere.

We go back to years gone by, when worlds were made and systemsfashioned,butwehavenotevenapproachedthebeginningyet.Untilwego to the time when all the universe slept in the mind of God as yetunborn—untilwe enter the eternitywhereGod theCreator lived alone,everything sleeping within Him, all creation resting in His mightygigantic thought—wehavenotguessed thebeginning.Wemaygoback,back,back,agesuponages.Wemaygoback,ifwemightusesuchstrangewords,wholeeternitiesandyetneverarriveatthebeginning.Ourwingsmight be tired, our imagination would die away. Could it outstrip thelightnings flashing inmajesty, power and rapidity, itwould soonwearyitselfbeforeitcouldgettothebeginning.

But God from the beginning chose His people.When the unnavigatedetherwas yet unfanned by thewing of a single angel, when spacewasshoreless,orelseunbornwhenuniversalsilencereignedandnotavoiceorwhisper shocked the solemnity of silence.When therewas no beingand no motion, no time and nothing but God Himself, alone in Hiseternity—whenwithout the songof an angel,without the attendance ofeven the cherubim—long before the living creatures were born, or thewheels of the chariot of Jehovah were fashioned—even then, “in thebeginningwas theWord,” and in the beginningGod’s peoplewere one

withtheWordand“inthebeginningHechosethemintoeternallife.”

Ourelection, then, is eternal. Iwillnot stop toprove it, I only just runover these thoughts for the benefit of young beginners that they mayunderstandwhatwemeanbyeternal,absoluteelection.

IV. And, next, the election is PERSONAL. Here again, our opponentshave tried to overthrow election by telling us that it is an election ofnations—andnotofpeople.ButheretheApostlesays,“Godhasfromthebeginning chosenyou.” It is themostmiserable shift on earth tomakeoutthatGodhasnotchosenpersonsbutnations,becausetheverysameobjectionthatliesagainstthechoiceofpersonsliesagainstthechoiceofanation.Ifitwerenotjusttochooseapersonitwouldbefarmoreunjustto choose a nation, since nations are but the union of multitudes ofpersons. To choose a nation seems to be a more gigantic crime—ifelectionisacrime—thantochooseoneperson.

Surely to choose ten thousand would be reckoned to be worse thanchoosing one—to distinguish a whole nation from the rest of mankindseemstobeagreaterextravaganzaintheactsofDivineSovereigntythanthe election of one poormortal and leaving out another. But what arenationsbutmen?Whatarewholepeoplesbutcombinationsofdifferentunits?Anationismadeupofthatindividual,andthat,andthat.AndifyoutellmethatGodchosetheJews,Isaythen,HechosethatJewandthatJewandthatJew.AndifyousayHechoosesBritain,thenIsayHechoosesthatBritishmanandthatBritishmanandthatBritishman.

Sothatitisthesamethingafterall.Electionthenispersonal—itmustbeso.Everyonewhoreadsthistextandotherslikeit,willseethatScripturecontinually speaks of God’s people one by one and speaks of them ashavingbeenthespecialsubjectsofelection—

“SonswearethroughGod’selection,

WhoinJesusChristbelieve;

Byeternaldestination

SovereignGraceweherereceive.”

Weknowitispersonalelection.

V. The other thought is—formy time flies too swiftly to enableme todwell at length upon these points—that election produces GOODRESULTS.“HehasfromthebeginningchosenyouuntosanctificationoftheSpiritandbeliefoftheTruth.”Howmanymenmistakethedoctrineof election altogether! And how my soul burns and boils at therecollectionof theterribleevils thathaveaccruedfromthespoilingandthewrestingofthatgloriousportionofGod’sgloriousTruth!

Howmanyaretherewhohavesaidtothemselves,“Iamelect,”andhavesatdowninslothandworsethanthat!Theyhavesaid,“IamtheelectofGod,”andwithbothhandstheyhavedonewickedness.Theyhaveswiftlyruntoeveryuncleanthingbecausetheyhavesaid,“IamthechosenchildofGod, irrespective ofmyworks, therefore Imay live as I like and dowhat I like.”O,Beloved!Letme solemnlywarn everyone of you not tocarrythetruthtoofar—or,rathernottoturnthetruthintoerror,forwecannot carry it too far.Wemay overstep the truth—we canmake thatwhichwasmeant tobesweet forourcomforta terriblemixture forourdestruction.

I tell you there have been thousands ofmenwho have been ruined bymisunderstanding election—who have said, “God has elected me toHeaven and to eternal life”—but they have forgotten that it is written,Godhas elected them “through sanctificationof theSpirit andbelief oftheTruth.”ThisisGod’selection—electiontosanctificationandtofaith.GodchoosesHispeopletobeholyandtobeBelievers.Howmanyofyouhere, then, are Believers?Howmany ofmy congregation can put theirhandsupontheirheartsandsay,“ItrustinGodthatIamsanctified”?Isthereoneofyouwhosays,“Iamelect”?

Oneofyousays,“ItrustIamelect”—butIjogyourmemoryaboutsomeviciousact that you committedduring the last sixdays.Anotherofyousays,“Iamelect”—butIwouldlookyouinthefaceandsay,“Elect?Youareamostcursedhypocriteandthatisallyouare.”Otherswouldsay,“Iamelect”—butIwouldremindthemthattheyneglectthemercyseatand

donotpray.Oh,Beloved!Neverthinkyouareelectunlessyouareholy.YoumaycometoChristasasinnerbutyoumaynotcometoChristasanelectpersonuntilyoucanseeyourholiness.DonotmisconstruewhatIsay—donotsay,“Iamelect,”andyetthinkyoucanbelivinginsin.

Thatisimpossible.TheelectofGodareholy.Theyarenotpure,theyarenotperfect,theyarenotspotless—buttakingtheirlifeasawholetheyareholypersons.Theyaremarkedanddistinctfromothers—andnomanhasarighttoconcludehimselfelectexcept inhisholiness.Hemaybeelectandyetlyingindarknessbuthehasnorighttobelieveit.Noonecansayit,ifthereisnoevidenceofit.Themanmayliveonedaybutheisdeadatpresent.IfyouarewalkinginthefearofGod,tryingtopleaseHimandtoobeyHisCommandments,doubtnotthatyournamehasbeenwrittenintheLamb’sBookofLifefrombeforethefoundationoftheworld.

And,lestthisshouldbetoohighforyou,notetheothermarkofelection,whichisfaith—beliefoftheTruthofGod.WhoeverbelievesGod’sTruthandbelieves on JesusChrist is elect. I frequentlymeetwith poor soulswhoarefrettingandworryingthemselvesaboutthisthought—“WhatifIshouldnotbeelect!”“Oh,Sir,”theysay,“IknowIputmytrustinJesus.IknowIbelieveinHisnameandtrust inHisblood.ButwhatifIshouldnot be elect?” Poor dear creature! You do not know much about theGospeloryouwouldnevertalkso,forhethatbelievesiselect.Thosewhoareelect,areelectuntosanctificationanduntofaith.IfyouhavefaithyouareoneofGod’select.Youmayknowitandoughttoknowitforitisanabsolutecertainty.

Ifyou,asasinner,looktoJesusChristthismorningandsay—

“NothinginmyhandsIbring,

SimplytoYourCrossIcling,”

you are elect. I am not afraid of election frightening poor saints orsinners. There are many divines who tell the enquirer, “election hasnothingtodowithyou.”Thatisverybad,becausethepoorsoulisnottobesilencedlikethat.Ifyoucouldsilencehimsoitmightbewell—buthewillthinkofit,hecan’thelpit.Saytohimthen,ifyoubelieveontheLord

JesusChristyouareelect.IfyouwillcastyourselfonJesus,youareelect.Itellyou—thechiefofsinners—thismorning—ItellyouinHisname—ifyouwillcometoGodwithoutanyworksofyourown,castyourselfonthebloodandrighteousnessofJesusChrist—ifyouwillcomenowandtrustinHim,youareelect—youwerelovedofGodfrombeforethefoundationof the world, for you could not do that unless God had given you thepowerandhadchosenyoutodoit.

Now you are safe and secure if you do but come and cast yourself onJesusChristandwishtobesavedandtobelovedbyHim.Butthinknotthat anymanwill be savedwithout faith andwithout holiness.Do notconceive, my Hearers, that some decree, passed in the dark ages ofeternitywillsaveyoursouls,unlessyoubelieveinChrist.Donotsitdownandfancy thatyouare tobesavedwithout faithandholiness.That isamostabominableandaccursedheresyandhasruinedthousands.

Laynotelectionasapillowforyoutosleepon,oryoumayberuined.GodforbidthatIshouldbesewingpillowsunderarmholesthatyoumayrestcomfortablyinyoursins.Sinner!ThereisnothingintheBibletopalliateyoursins.Butifyouarecondemned,OMan!Ifyouarelost,OWoman!You will not find in this Bible one drop to cool your tongue, or onedoctrinetopalliateyourguilt.Yourdamnationwillbeentirelyyourownfault and your sinwill richlymerit it—because you believe not you arecondemned.“YoubelievenotbecauseyouarenotofMysheep.YouwillnotcometoMethatyoumighthavelife.”

Donot fancy thatelectionexcusessin—donotdreamof it—donot rockyourselfinsweetcomplacencyinthethoughtofyourirresponsibility.Youare responsible. We must give you both things. We must have DivineSovereignty and we must have man’s responsibility. We must haveelection,butwemustplyyourhearts—wemustsendGod’sTruthatyou.Wemustspeaktoyouandremindyouofthis,thatwhileitiswritten,“InMe is your help,” yet it is also written, “O Israel, you have destroyedyourself.”

VI. Now, lastly, what are the true and legitimate tendencies of rightconceptionsconcerningthedoctrineofelection?First,Iwilltellyouwhatthe doctrine of electionwillmake saints do under the blessing ofGod.

And,secondlywhatitwilldoforsinnersifGodblessesittothem.

First,Ithinkelection,toasaint,isoneofthemoststrippingdoctrinesinall the world—to take away all trust in the flesh or all reliance uponanythingexceptJesusChrist.Howoftendowewrapourselvesupinourownrighteousnessandarrayourselveswiththefalsepearlsandgemsofour own works and doings? We begin to say, “Now I shall be saved,becauseIhave thisandthatevidence.” Insteadof that, it isnaked faiththat saves—that faith and that alone unites to theLamb irrespective ofworks,althoughitisproductiveofthem.

HowoftendoweleanonsomeworkotherthanthatofourownBelovedJesus and trust in some might, other than that which comes from onHigh?Nowifwewouldhavethismighttakenfromuswemustconsiderelection.Pause,mySoul,andconsiderthis.Godlovedyoubeforeyouhadabeing.HelovedyouwhenyouweredeadintrespassesandsinsandsentHisSontodieforyou.HepurchasedyouwithHispreciousbloodbeforeyoucouldsayHisname.Canyouthenbeproud?

I know nothing, nothing again, that ismorehumbling for us than thisdoctrine of election. I have sometimes fallen prostrate before it whenendeavoringtounderstandit.Ihavestretchedmywingsand,eagle-like,Ihavesoaredtowardsthesun.Steadyhasbeenmyeyeandtruemywingforaseason.But,whenIcamenearitandtheonethoughtpossessedme—“Godhasfromthebeginningchosenyouuntosalvation,”Iwaslostinits lustre. Iwas staggeredwith themighty thought—and fromthedizzyelevationdowncamemysoul,prostrateandbroken,saying,“Lord,Iamnothing,Iamlessthannothing.Whyme?Whyme?”

Friends, ifyouwant tobehumbled,studyelection, for itwillmakeyouhumble under the influence of God’s Spirit. He who is proud of hiselection is not elect—and he who is humbled under a sense of it maybelievethatheis.Hehaseveryreasontobelievethatheis,foritisoneofthemostblessedeffectsofelection that ithelpsus tohumbleourselvesbeforeGod.

Onceagain—ElectionintheChristianshouldmakehimveryfearlessandverybold.Nomanwillbesoboldashewhobelieves thathe iselectof

God.Whatcareshe forman ifhe is chosenofhisMaker?Whatwillhecareforthepitifulchirpingsofsometinysparrowswhenheknowsthatheisaneagleofaroyalrace?Willhecarewhenthebeggarpointsathim—whenthebloodroyalofheavenrunsinhisveins?Willhefearifalltheworld stand against him? If earth be all in arms abroad, he dwells inperfectpeace—forheis inthesecretplaceofthetabernacleoftheMostHigh,inthegreatpavilionoftheAlmighty.

“I am God’s,” he says, “I am distinct from other men. They are of aninferiorrace.AmInotnoble?AmInotoneofthearistocratsofHeaven?IsnotmynamewritteninGod’sBook?”Doeshecarefortheworld?No—likethelionthatcaresnotforthebarkingofthedog,hesmilesatallhisenemies—and when they come too near him, he moves himself anddashesthemtopieces.Whatcaresheforthem?Hewalksaboutthemlikeacolossus—whilelittlemenwalkunderhimandunderstandhimnot.

Hisbrowismadeofiron,hisheartisofflint—whatdoeshecareforman?No—ifoneuniversalhisscameupfromthewideworld,hewouldsmileatit,forhewouldsay—

“HethathasmadehisrefugeGod,

Shallfindamostsecureabode.”

IamoneofHiselect.IamchosenofGodandprecious—andthoughtheworld castmeout, I fearnot.Ah, you time-servingprofessors, someofyouwillbendlikethewillows.Therearefewoaken-Christiansnowadaysthatcanstandthestorm—andIwilltellyouthereason.Itisbecauseyoudonotbelieveyourselvestobeelect.Themanwhoknowsheiselectwillbe too proud to sin—hewill not humble himself to commit the acts ofcommonpeople.

The believer in God’s Truth will say, “I compromise my principles? Ichangemydoctrines? I lay asidemyviews? I hidewhat I believe to betrue?No!Since I know I amoneofGod’s elect, in the very teethof allmenIshallspeakGod’sTruth,whatevermanmaysay.”NothingmakesamansotrulyboldastofeelthatheisGod’select.Heshallnotquiver,heshallnotshake—whoknowsthatGodhaschosenhim.

Moreover, election will make us holy. Nothing under the graciousinfluence of the Holy Spirit can make a Christian more holy than thethought that he is chosen. “Shall I sin,” he says, “afterGod has chosenme? Shall I transgress after such love? Shall I go astray after somuchlovingkindnessand tendermercy?No,myGod,sinceYouhavechosenme,IwillloveYou.IwilllivetoYou—

“SinceYou,theeverlastingGod,

MyFatherarebecome.”

I will give myself to You to be Yours forever, by election and byredemption,castingmyselfonYouandsolemnlyconsecratingmyself toYourservice.

And now, lastly, to the ungodly.What says election to you? First, youungodlyones,Iwillexcuseyouforamoment.TherearemanyofyouwhodonotlikeelectionandIcannotblameyouforit,forIhaveheardthosepreachelectionwhohavesatdownandsaid,“Ihavenotonewordtosaytothesinner.”Now,IsayyououghttodislikesuchpreachingasthatandI do not blame you for it. But, I say, take courage, take hope, O youSinner,thatthereiselection!

So far from dispiriting and discouraging you, it is a very hopeful andjoyousthingthatthereisanelection.WhatifItoldyouperhapsnonecanbesaved,noneareordainedtoeternal life?Wouldyounot trembleandfoldyourhandsinhopelessnessandsay,“ThenhowcanIbesaved,sincenone are elect?” But, I say, there is a multitude of elect, beyond allcounting—ahostthatnomortalcannumber.Therefore,takeheart,poorSinner!Castawayyourdespondency—mayyounotbeelectaswellasanyother?—forthereisahostinnumerablechosen!Thereisjoyandcomfortforyou!

Then,notonly takeheart,butgoandtry theMaster.Remember, ifyouwerenotelect,youwouldlosenothingbyit.Whatdidthefourleperssay?“LetusfalluntothehostoftheSyrians,for ifwestayherewemustdieand ifwegoto themwecanbutdie.”OSinner!Cometo theThroneofelecting mercy! You may die where you are. Go to God—and, even

supposingHeshouldspurnyou,supposeHisupliftedhandshoulddriveyou away—a thing impossible—yet youwill not lose anything. You willnotbemoredamned for that.Besides, supposing youaredamned, youwouldhave the satisfactionat leastofbeingable to liftupyoureyes inHellandsay, “God, IaskedmercyofYouandYouwouldnotgrant it. Isoughtit,butYoudidrefuseit.”

Thatyoushallneversay,OSinner! Ifyougo toHimandaskHim,youshallreceive—forHeneverhasspurnedoneyet!Isnotthathopeforyou?Whatthoughthereisanallottednumber,yetitistruethatallwhoseekbelongtothatnumber.Goandseek—andifyoushouldbethefirstonetogo toHell, tell thedevils thatyoudidperish thus—tell thedemons thatyouareacastawayafterhavingcomeasaguiltysinnertoJesus.Itellyouit would disgrace the Eternal—with reverence to His name—and Hewouldnotallowsuchathing.HeisjealousofHishonorandHecouldnotallowasinnertosaythat.

But ah, poor Soul! Do not think thus, that you can lose anything bycoming. There is yet one more thought—do you love the thought ofelectionthismorning?Areyouwillingtoadmititsjustice?Doyousay,“Ifeel that I am lost. I deserve it and if my brother is saved I cannotmurmur. If God destroys me, I deserve it, but if He saves the personsittingbesideme,HehasarighttodowhatHewillwithHisownandIhavelostnothingbyit.”

Can you say that honestly from your heart? If so, then the doctrine ofelectionhashaditsrighteffectonyourspiritandyouarenotfarfromthekingdomofHeaven.Youarebroughtwhereyouought tobe,where theSpiritwantsyoutobe—andbeingsothismorning,departinpeace!Godhasforgivenyoursins.Youwouldnotfeelthatifyouwerenotpardoned—youwouldnot feel that if the Spirit ofGodwerenotworking in you.Rejoice,then,inthis!LetyourhoperestontheCrossofChrist.Thinknoton election, but on Christ Jesus. Rest on Jesus—Jesus first, last andwithoutend.

ParticularRedemption

“EvenastheSonofMancamenottobeministeredunto,buttominister,AndtogiveHislifearansomformany.”–Matthew20:28.

WHENfirstitwasmydutytooccupythispulpitandpreachinthishall,mycongregationassumedtheappearanceofanirregularmassofpersonscollectedfromallthestreetsofthiscitytolistentotheWord.IwasthensimplyanEvangelist,preachingtomanywhohadnotheard theGospelbefore.BytheGraceofGod,themostblessedchangehastakenplaceandnow, instead of having an irregular multitude gathered together, mycongregation is as fixed as that of any minister in the whole city ofLondon! I can from thispulpit observe the countenances ofmy friendswhohaveoccupiedthesameplaces,asnearlyaspossible,forthesemanymonths.AndIhavetheprivilegeandthepleasureofknowingthataverylarge proportion, certainly three-fourths of the persons who meettogetherherearenotpersonswhostrayherefromcuriosity,butaremyregular and constant hearers. And observe that my character has alsobeen changed! From being an Evangelist, it is now my business tobecomeyourpastor.Youwereonceamotleygroupassembledtolistentome but now we are bound together by the ties of love. Throughassociationwehavegrown to loveand respect eachother andnowyouhavebecome the sheepofmypastureandmembersofmy flock.And Ihavenowtheprivilegeofassumingthepositionofapastorinthisplace,aswellasintheChapelwhereIlaborintheevening.Ithink,then,itwillstrikethejudgmentofeverypersonthatasboththecongregationandtheoffice have now changed, the teaching itself should in some measuresufferadifference.

It has been my desire to address you from the simple Truths of theGospel.Ihaveveryseldom,inthisplace,attemptedtodiveintothedeepthingsofGod.AtextwhichIhavethoughtsuitableformycongregationin theevening, I shouldnothavemade thesubjectofdiscussioninthisplace in the morning. There are many high and mysterious Doctrineswhich I have often taken the opportunity of handling inmy own placethatIhavenottakenthe libertyof introducinghere,regardingyouasacompanyofpeoplecasuallygatheredtogethertoheartheWord.Butnow,sincethecircumstancesarechanged,theteachingwillalsobechanged.Ishallnotnowsimply confinemyself to theDoctrineof the faith, or the

teaching of Believer’s Baptism. I shall not stay upon the surface ofmatters, but shall venture, as God shall guide me, to enter into thosethingsthatlieatthebasisofthereligionthatweholdsodear.Ishallnotblush to preach before you theDoctrine ofGod’sDivine Sovereignty. Ishall not stagger to preach in the most unreserved and unguardedmanner theDoctrine of Election. I shall not be afraid to propound thegreatTruthof theFinalPerseveranceof theSaints. IshallnotwithholdthatundoubtedTruthofScripture—theEffectualCallingofGod’sElect.Ishallendeavor,asGodshallhelpme,tokeepbacknothingfromyouwhohavebecomemyflock.Seeingthatmanyofyouhavenow“tastedthattheLordisgracious,”wewillendeavortogothroughthewholesystemoftheDoctrinesofGrace—thatsaintsmaybeedifiedandbuiltupintheirmostholyfaith!

IbeginthismorningwiththeDoctrineofRedemption.“HegaveHislifearansom for many.” The Doctrine of Redemption is one of the mostimportantDoctrinesof thesystemof faith.Amistakeon thispointwillinevitablyleadtoamistakethroughtheentiresystemofourbelief!

Now,youareawarethat therearedifferent theoriesofRedemption.AllChristiansholdthatChristdiedtoredeem,butallChristiansdonotteachthesameRedemption!WedifferastothenatureofAtonementandastothedesignofRedemption.Forinstance,theArminianholdsthatChrist,whenHedied,didnotdiewithan intent tosaveanyparticularperson.AndtheyteachthatChrist’sdeathdoesnot,initself,securebeyonddoubtthesalvationofanymanliving.TheybelievethatChristdiedtomakethesalvationofallmenpossible,orthatbythedoingofsomethingelse,anyman who pleases may attain unto eternal life! Consequently, they areobliged to hold that if man’s will would not give way and voluntarilysurrendertoDivineGrace,thenChrist’sAtonementwouldbeworthless!They hold that therewas no particularity and specialty in the death ofChrist.Christdied,according to them,asmuch forJudas inHellas forPeter who mounted to Heaven! They believe that for those who areconsignedtoeternalfire,therewasastrueandrealaRedemptionmadeasforthosewhonowstandbeforetheThroneoftheMostHigh!Nowwebelieve no such thing! We hold that Christ, when He died, had anobjective in view and that objective will most assuredly and beyond a

doubt,beaccomplished!WemeasurethedesignofChrist’sdeathbytheeffect of it. If anyone asks us, “What did Christ design to do by Hisdeath?” We answer that question by asking him another—“What hasChrist done, orwhatwillChrist dobyHisdeath?”Wedeclare that themeasureoftheeffectofChrist’sloveisthemeasureofthedesignofit!WecannotsobelieourreasonastothinkthattheintentionofAlmightyGodcouldbefrustratedorthatthedesignofsogreatathingastheAtonementcanbyanywaywhatever,bemissedof.Wehold—wearenotafraidtosaywhatwebelieve—thatChrist came into thisworldwith the intentionofsaving“amultitudewhichnomancannumber.”Andwebelievethatasthe result of this, every person for whom He died must, beyond theshadowofadoubt,becleansedfromsinandstand,washedinHisblood,before the Father’s Throne. We do not believe that Christ made anyeffectual Atonement for those who are forever damned! We dare notthinkthatthebloodofChristwasevershedwiththeintentionofsavingthose whomGod foreknew would never be saved—and some of whomwereeveninHellwhenChrist,accordingtosomemen’saccount,diedtosavethem!

I have thus just stated our theory of Redemption and hinted at thedifferences which exist between two great parties in the professingChurch. It shall be now my endeavor to show the greatness of theRedemption of Christ Jesus. And by so doing I hope to be enabled byGod’sSpirittobringoutthewholeofthegreatsystemofRedemptionsothatitmaybeunderstoodbyusall,evenifallofuscannotreceiveit.Youmust bear this in mind that some of you, perhaps, may be ready todisputethingswhichIassert.Butyouwillrememberthatthisisnothingto me. I shall at all times teach those things which I hold to be true,without let or hindrance from any man breathing! You have the likelibertytodothesameinyourownplacesandtopreachyourownviewsinyour own assemblies, as I claim the right to preach mine, fully, andwithouthesitation!

ChristJesus“gaveHis lifearansomformany.”AndbythatransomHeworked out for us a great Redemption. I shall endeavor to show thegreatnessofthisRedemption,measuringitinfiveways.Weshallnoteitsgreatness,firstofall,fromtheheinousnessofourownguilt,fromwhich

Hehasdeliveredus.Secondly,weshallmeasureHisRedemptionbythesternness of Divine Justice. Thirdly, we shall measure it by the pricewhichHepaid—thepangswhichHeendured.ThenweshallendeavortomagnifyitbynotingthedeliverancewhichHeactuallyworkedout.AndweshallclosebynoticingthevastnumberforwhomthisRedemptionismade,whoinourtextaredescribedas“many.”

I. First, then, we shall see that the Redemption of Christ was no littlething,ifwedobutmeasureit,first,byourOWNSINS.MyBrothersandSisters,foramomentlookattheholeofthepitfromwhereyouweredug—and the quarry where you were hewn. You who have been washed,cleansedandsanctified,pauseforamomentandlookbackattheformerstate of your ignorance. Think of the sins in which you indulged, thecrimesintowhichyouwerehurried,thecontinualrebellionagainstGodinwhichitwasyourhabittolive.Onesincanruinasoulforever.Itisnotinthepowerofthehumanmindtograsptheinfinityofevilthatslumbersintheheartofonesolitarysin!ThereisaveryinfinityofguiltcouchedinonetransgressionagainstthemajestyofHeaven.If,then,youandIhadsinnedbutonce,nothingbutanAtonement infinite invalue couldeverhavewashedaway the sin andmade satisfaction for it!Buthas it beenoncethatyouandIhavetransgressed?No,myBrothersandSisters—ouriniquities are more in number than the hairs of our head! They havemightily prevailed against us!Wemight aswell attempt tonumber thesands upon the seashore—or count the drops which in their aggregatemake the ocean—as attempt to count the transgressions which havemarkedourlives!Letusgobacktoourchildhood.Howearlywebegantosin!Howwedisobeyedourparentsandeven then learned tomakeourmouth the house of lies! In our childhood how full of wantonness andwaywardnesswewere!Headstrongandgiddy,wepreferredourownwayandburstthroughallrestraintswhichgodlyparentsputuponus.Nordidouryouthsoberus.Wildlywedashed,manyofus,intotheverymidstofthedanceofsin!Webecameleadersininiquity.Wenotonlysinned,butwetaughtotherstosin.Andasforyourmanhood,youthathaveenteredupon theprimeof life—youmaybemore outwardly sober, youmaybesomewhatfreefromthedissipationofyouryouth—buthowlittlehasthemanbecomebettered!Unless the SovereignGrace ofGodhas renewedus,wearenownobetterthanwewerewhenwebegan.Andevenifithas

operated,westillhavesinstorepentof,forwealllayourmouthsinthedustandcastashesonourheadandcry,“Unclean!Unclean!

Andoh,youthatleanwearilyonyourstaffs,thesupportofyouroldage—haveyounotsinsstillclingingtoyourgarments?Areyourlivesaswhiteas the snowy hairs that crown your heads? Do you not still feel thattransgressionbesmearstheskirtsofyourrobeandmarsitsspotlessness?Howoftenareyounowplungedintotheditchtillyourownclothesabhoryou!Castyoureyesoverthesixty,theseventy,the80yearsduringwhichGodhassparedyour lives—canyou foramoment think itpossible thatyou can number up your innumerable transgressions, or compute theweightofthecrimeswhichyouhavecommitted?OyoustarsofHeaven!Theastronomermaymeasureyourdistanceand tell yourheight,butOyousinsofmankind,yousurpassallthought!Oyouloftymountains!Thehomeof the tempest, thebirthplace of the storm!Manmay climb yoursummitsandstandwonderinglyuponyoursnows—butyouhillsofsin—youtowerhigherthanourthoughts!Youchasmsoftransgressions—youare deeper than our imagination dares to dive. Do you accuse me ofslanderinghumannature?Itisbecauseyouknowitnot!IfGodhadoncemanifestedyourhearttoyourself,youwouldbearmewitnessthatsofarfromexaggerating,mypoorwords fail to describe the desperateness ofour evil!Oh, ifwe could, each of us, look into our hearts today—if oureyescouldbeturnedwithinsoastoseethe iniquitythat isengravedaswiththepointofthediamonduponourstonyhearts—wewouldthensaytotheministerthathoweverhemaydepictthedesperatenessofguilt,yetcanhenotbyanymeanssurpassit!Howgreatthen,Beloved,mustbetheransom of Christ when He saved us from all these sins? The men forwhom Jesus died, however great their sin, when they believe, aresanctifiedfromalltheirtransgressions!ThoughtheymayhaveindulgedineveryviceandeverylustwhichSatancouldsuggest—andwhichhumannaturecouldperform—yetoncebelieving,byGod’sGrace—alltheirguiltiswashedaway!Yearafteryearmayhavecoatedthemwithblacknesstilltheir sin has become of double dye, but in one moment of faith, onetriumphantmomentofconfidenceinChrist—thegreatRedemptiontakesawaytheguiltofnumerousyears!No,more!Ifitwerepossibleforallthesinsthatmenhavedoneinthought,orword,ordeedsinceworldsweremade,ortimebegan—tomeetononepoorhead—thegreatRedemption

is all-sufficient to take all these sins away and wash the sinner whiterthanthedrivensnow!

Oh,whoshallmeasure theheightsof theSavior’sAll-Sufficiency?First,tell how high is sin and then remember that asNoah’s flood prevailedover the topsof earth’smountains, so the floodofChrist’sRedemptionprevails over the topsof themountainsof our sins! InHeaven’s courtsthere are today men who once were murderers, thieves, drunkards,whoremongers, blasphemers and persecutors! But they have beenwashed—theyhavebeensanctified!Askthemfromwherethebrightnessof their robes has come andwhere their purity has been achieved andthey,withunitedbreath,will tellyouthat theyhavewashedtheirrobesand made them white in the blood of the Lamb! O you troubledconsciences!Oyouwearyandheavy-ladenones!Oyouwhoaregroaningonaccountof sin!ThegreatRedemptionnowproclaimed to you isall-sufficient for your needs! And though your numerous sins exceed thestarsthatdeckthesky,hereisanAtonementmadeforthemall—ariverwhich can overflow the whole of them and carry them away from youforever!

This, then, is the firstmeasure of theAtonement—the greatness of ourguilt.

II. Now, secondly, we must measure the great Redemption BY THESTERNNESSOFDIVINEJUSTICE.“GodisLove,”alwaysloving,butmynext proposition does not at all interfere with this assertion—God issternly just, inflexiblysevere inHisdealingswithmankind!TheGodoftheBibleisnottheGodofsomemen’simaginationwhothinkssolittleofsinthatHepassesitbywithoutdemandinganypunishmentforit.Heisnot the God of themen who imagine that our transgressions are suchlittle things, such mere peccadilloes that the God of Heaven winks atthem and suffers them to die forgotten! No. Jehovah, Israel’s God hasdeclaredconcerningHimself,“TheLordyourGodisajealousGod.”ItisHisowndeclaration,“Iwillbynomeanscleartheguilty.”“Thesoulthatsins,itshalldie.”Learn,myFriends,tolookuponGodasbeingassevereinHisJusticeasifHewerenotloving—andyetaslovingasifHewerenotsevere!HislovedoesnotdiminishHisJusticenordoesHisJustice,intheleast degree, make warfare upon His love. The two things are sweetly

linked together in the Atonement of Christ. But, mark, we can neverunderstand the fullness of theAtonement tillwehave first grasped theScripturalTruthofGod’s immenseJustice.Therewasneveran illwordspoken,noranillthoughtconceived,noranevildeeddoneforwhichGodwillnothavepunishmentfromsomeoneoranother.Hewilleitherhavesatisfaction fromyou,orelse fromChrist! IfyouhavenoAtonementtobring through Christ, you must forever lie paying the debt which younever can pay, in eternalmisery—for as surely asGod is God—He willsooner loseHisGodhead than sufferone sin to go unpunished, or oneparticleofrebellionnotrevenged!YoumaysaythatthisCharacterofGodis cold, stern, and severe. I cannot help what you say of it. It isneverthelesstrue.SuchistheGodoftheBible!AndthoughwerepeatitistruethatHeisLove,itisnomoretruethatHeisLovethanthatHeisfullofJustice—foreverygoodthingmeetsinGodandiscarriedtoperfection—while Love reaches to consummate loveliness, Justice reaches to thesternness of inflexibility in Him. He has no bend, no warp in HisCharacter. No attribute so predominates as to cast a shadow upon theother.LovehasitsfullswayandJusticehasnonarrowerlimitthanHislove.Oh,then,Beloved,thinkhowgreatmusthavebeentheSubstitutionof Christ when it satisfied God for all the sins of His people! Goddemandseternalpunishmentforman’ssin.AndGodhaspreparedaHellinto which He casts those who die impenitent. Oh, my Brothers andSisters, can you think what must have been the greatness of theAtonementwhichwasthesubstitutionforallthisagonywhichGodwouldhavecastuponusifHehadnotpouredituponChrist?

Look!Look!LookwithsolemneyesthroughtheshadesthatpartusfromtheworldofspiritsandseethathouseofmiserywhichmencallHell!Youcannot endure the spectacle! Remember that in that place there arespirits forever paying their debt to Divine Justice, but though some ofthemhavebeentherethesesixthousandyearsswelteringintheflames,they are no nearer a discharge than when they began! And when tenthousand times ten thousand years shall have rolled away, theywill nomorehavemadesatisfactiontoGodfortheirguiltthantheyhavedoneuptill now! And now can you grasp the thought of the greatness of yourSavior’sMediationwhenHepaidyourdebtandpaiditallatoncesothattherenowremainsnotonefarthingofdebtowingfromChrist’speopleto

theirGod, except a debt of love?To Justice theBeliever owes nothing!Though he owed originally somuch that eternity would not have beenlongenoughtosufficeforthepayingofit,yetinonemomentChristpaidit all!Themanwhobelieves is entirely sanctified fromall guilt and setfreefromallpunishmentthroughwhatJesushasdone!Think,then,howgreatHisAtonementifHehasdoneallthis!

Imustjustpausehereandutteranothersentence.TherearetimeswhenGod theHolySpirit shows tomen thesternnessofJustice in theirownconsciences.Thereisamanheretodaywhohasjustbeencuttotheheartwith a senseof sin.Hewasonce a freeman, a libertine, inbondage tonone.Butnowthearrowof theLordsticks fast inhisheartandhehascomeunderabondageworsethanthatofEgypt!Iseehimtoday—hetellsmethathisguilthauntshimeverywhere.TheNegroslave,guidedbythepolestar,mayescapethecrueltiesofhismasterandreachanotherlandwherehemaybe free,but thisman feels that if hewere towander thewholeworldoverhecouldnotescapefromguilt.Hethathasbeenboundbymany irons can not find a file that can unbind him and set him atliberty!Thismantellsyouthathehas triedprayersand tearsandgoodworks,butcannotgettheshacklesfromhiswrists.Hestillfeelsasalostsinner—and emancipation—dowhat hemay, seems to him impossible!Thecaptive in thedungeon issometimes free in thought, thoughnot inbody. Through his dungeonwalls his spirit leaps and flies to the stars,free as the eagle that is noman’s slave. But thisman is a slave in histhoughts—hecannotthinkonebright,onehappythought!Hissouliscastdownwithin him. The iron has entered into his spirit and he is sorelyafflicted.Thecaptivesometimesforgetshisslaveryinsleepbutthismancannotsleep.BynighthedreamsofHell;bydayheseemstofeel it.Hebearsaburningfurnaceofflamewithinhisheartanddowhathemay,hecannotquenchit.Hehasbeenconfirmed,hehasbeenbaptized,hetakesthesacrament,heattendsaChurchorhefrequentsaChapel.Heregardseveryrubricandobeyseverycanon—butthefirestillburns.Hegiveshismoneytothepoor;heisreadytogivehisbodytobeburned.Hefeedsthehungry,hevisitsthesick,heclothesthenaked—butthefirestillburns—dowhathemay,hecannotquenchit!O,yousonsofwearinessandwoe!This that you feel is God’s Justice in full pursuit of you—and happyshouldyoubewhofeelthis—fornowtoyouIpreachthisgloriousGospel

oftheblessedGod!YouarethemanforwhomJesusChristhasdied!ForyouHehassatisfiedsternJustice.Andnowallyouhavetodotoobtainpeaceand conscience is just to say to your adversarywhopursues you,“Lookhere!Christdied forme!Mygoodworkscouldnot stopyou;mytearscould not appease you. Look here! There stands theCross! TherehangsthebleedingGod!ListentoHisdeath-shriek!WatchHimdie!Areyounotnowsatisfied?”Andwhenyouhavedonethat,youshallhavethepeaceofGodwhichpassesallunderstanding,whichshallkeepyourheartandmindthroughJesusChristyourLord—andthenshallyouknowthegreatnessofHisAtonement!

III. In the third place, we may measure the greatness of Christ’sRedemption by THE PRICEHE PAID. It is impossible for us to knowhowgreatwerethepangsofourSavior,butyetsomeglimpseofthemwillaffordusalittleideaofthegreatnessofthepricewhichHepaidforus.OJesus,whoshalldescribeYouragony?—

“Come,allyousprings,

Dwellinmyheadandeyes.Come,cloudsandrain!

Mygriefhasneedofallthewaterythings,

ThatNaturehasproduced.Leteveryvein

Suckuparivertosupplymyeyes,

Mywearyweepingeyes—toodryforme,

Unlesstheygetnewconduits,newsupplies

Tobearthemoutandwithmystateagree.”

O Jesus! You were a sufferer from Your birth, a Man of sorrows andgrief’sacquaintance!YoursufferingstellonYouinoneperpetualshoweruntil the last dread hour of darkness. Then not in a shower, but in acloud,atorrent,acataractofgriefYouragoniesdiddashuponYou.SeeHimyonder!Itisanightoffrostandcold,butHeisallabroad.Itisnight.He sleeps not—He is in prayer. Listen to His groans! Did ever man

wrestleasHewrestles?GoandlookinHisface!Waseversuchsufferingdepicted uponmortal countenance as you can there behold? Hear Hisown words? “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death.” Herises.Heisseizedbytraitorsandisdraggedaway.Letussteptotheplacewhere just nowHewas engaged in agony.OGod!Andwhat is thiswesee?What is this thatstains theground?It isblood!Fromwheredid itcome? Had He some wound which oozed afresh through His direstruggle?Ah,no.“Hesweat,asitwere,greatdropsofblood,fallingdowntotheground.”Oagoniesthatsurpassthewordbywhichwenameyou!Osufferingsthatcannotbecompassedinlanguage!WhatcouldyoubethatthuscouldworkupontheSavior’sblessedframeandforceabloodysweattofallfromHisentirebody?

This is the beginning—this is the opening of the tragedy. Follow Himmournfully, you sorrowing Church, to witness the consummation of it.He is hurried through the streets. He is first to one bar and then toanother.HeiscastandcondemnedbeforetheSanhedrin.HeismockedbyHerod,HeistriedbyPilate.Hissentenceispronounced—“LetHimbecrucified!”Andnowthetragedycomestoitsheight.Hisbackisbared.Heis tiedto the lowRomancolumn.Thebloodyscourgeplows furrowsonHisback.AndwithonestreamofbloodHisbackisred—acrimsonrobethatproclaimsHimemperorofmisery!Heistakenintotheguardroom.HiseyesareboundandthentheybuffetHimandsay,“Prophesy,whoitwasthatsmoteYou?”TheyspitintoHisface.TheyplaitacrownofthornsandpressHistempleswithit.TheyarrayHiminapurplerobe.TheybowtheirkneesandmockHim.AllsilentlyHestands.Heanswersnotaword.“When He was reviled, He reviled not again,” but committed Himselfunto Him whomHe came to serve. And now they take Him and withmany a jeer and jibe they drive Him from the place and hurry Himthrough the streets.Emaciatedby continual fasting anddepressedwithagonyofspirit,HestumblesbeneathHisCross.”DaughtersofJerusalem!He faints in your streets!They raiseHimup.TheyputHisCrossuponanother’s shouldersand theyurgeHimon,perhapswithmanyaspear-prick,tillatlastHereachesthemountofdoom.RoughsoldiersseizeHimandhurlHimonHisback.ThetransversewoodislaidbeneathHim,Hisarmsarestretchedtoreachthenecessarydistance.Thenailsaregrasped.Fourhammersatonemomentdrivefournails throughthemosttender

parts ofHis body!And thereHe lies uponHis own place of execution,dyingonHisCross. It isnot done yet. TheCross is liftedby the roughsoldiers. There is the socket prepared for it. It is dashed into its place.Theyfilluptheplacewithearth.Andthereitstands.

ButlookattheSavior’slimbs,howtheyquiver!EverybonehasbeenputoutofjointbythedashingoftheCrossintothatsocket!HowHeweeps!HowHesighs!HowHesobs!No,more—listenhowatlastHeshrieksinagony,“MyGod,MyGod,whyhaveYouforsakenMe?”Osun,nowonderyoudidshutyoureyesandlooknolongeruponadeedsocruel!Orocks!NowonderthatyoudidmeltandrendyourheartswithsympathywhenyourCreatordied!NevermansufferedasthisMansuffered!Evendeathitselfrelentedandmanyofthosewhohadbeenintheirgravesaroseandcame into the city. This, however, is but the outward. Believe me,BrothersandSisters,theinwardwasfarworse.WhatourSaviorsufferedinHisbodywasnothingcomparedtowhatHeenduredinHissoul!Youcannot guess and I cannot help you to guesswhatHe enduredwithin.Suppose for one moment—to repeat a sentence I have often used—suppose amanwho has passed intoHell—suppose his eternal tormentcould all be brought into one hour? And then suppose it could bemultipliedbythenumberofthesaved,whichisanumberpastallhumanenumeration—canyounow thinkwhat a vast aggregateofmisery therewould have been in the sufferings of all God’s people if they had beenpunishedthroughalleternity?

AndrememberthatChristhadtosufferanequivalentforalltheHellsofallHisredeemed!Icanneverexpressthatthoughtbetterthanbyusingthoseoft-repeatedwords—itseemedasifHellwasputintoHiscup—Heseizeditand,“Atonetremendousdraughtof love,Hedrankdamnationdry.”SothattherewasnothingleftofallthepangsandmiseriesofHellforHispeopletoeverendure!IsaynotthatHesufferedthesame,butHedidendureanequivalentforallthisandgaveGodthesatisfactionforallthesinsofallHispeople—andconsequentlygaveHimanequivalentforall their punishment! Now can you dream, can you guess the greatRedemptionofourLordJesusChrist?

IV.Ishallbeverybriefuponthenexthead.ThefourthwayofmeasuringtheSavior’sagoniesisthis—wemustcomputethembyTHEGLORIOUS

DELIVERANCEWHICHHEHASEFFECTED.

Rise up, Believer, stand up in your place and this day testify to thegreatnessofwhattheLordhasdoneforyou!Letmetellitforyou!Iwilltellyourexperienceandmineinonebreath.Oncemysoulwasladenwithsin.IhadrevoltedagainstGodandgrievously transgressed.The terrorsof theLawgotholduponme.Thepangsofconvictionseizedme. Isawmyselfguilty.IlookedtoHeavenandIsawanangryGodsworntopunishme.IlookedbeneathmeandIsawayawningHellreadytodevourme!Isought, by good works, to satisfy my conscience. But all in vain! Iendeavored, by attending to the ceremonies of religion, to appease thepangs that I feltwithin—butallwithouteffect.Mysoulwasexceedinglysorrowfulalmostuntodeath.Icouldhavesaidwiththeancientmourner,“My soul chooses strangling and death rather than life.” This was thegreat question that always perplexed me—“I have sinned. God mustpunishme.HowcanHebe just ifHedoesnot?Then, sinceHe is just,what is to become ofme?” At lastmy eyes turned to that sweetWordwhichsays,“ThebloodofJesusChristHisSoncleansfromallsin.”Itookthattexttomychamber.Isatthereandmeditated.IsawonehangingonaCross.ItwasmyLordJesus.Therewasthecrownofthornsandtheretheemblemsofunequalledandpeerlessmisery.IlookeduponHimandmythoughtsrecalledthatWordwhichsays,“Thisisafaithfulsaying,andworthyofall acceptation, thatChristJesuscame into theworld to savesinners.”ThensaidIwithinmyself,“DidthisMandieforsinners?Iamasinner.ThenHediedforme!ThoseHediedforHewillsave.Hediedforsinners.Iamasinner.Hediedforme!Hewillsaveme.”Mysoulreliedupon thatTruth. I looked toHim—and as I “viewed the flowing ofHissoul-redeemingblood,”myspiritrejoiced,forIcouldsay—

“NothinginmyhandsIbring,

SimplytoHisCrossIcling!

NakedIlooktoHimfordress,

Helpless,IcometoHimforGrace!

Black,Itothisfountainfly—

Washme,Savior,orIdie!”

Andnow,Believer,youshalltelltherest.Themomentthatyoubelieved,your burden rolled from your shoulder and you became light as air.Insteadofdarknessyouhadlight!Forthegarmentsofheaviness,youhadtherobesofpraise.Whoshalltellofyourjoysincethen?YouhavesungonearthhymnsofHeavenandinyourpeacefulsoulyouhaveanticipatedthe eternal Sabbath of the redeemed. Because you have believed, youhave entered into rest. Yes, tell it to the whole world over— they whobelieve, by Jesus’ death are justified from all things from which theycouldnotbefreedbytheworksoftheLaw!TellitinHeaven—nonecanlay anything to the charge of God’s elect! Tell it upon earth—God’sredeemedarefreefromsininJehovah’ssight!TelliteveninHell—God’sElectcannevergothere—ChristhasdiedforHisElectandwhoishethatshallcondemnthem?

V.Ihavehurriedoverthattocometothelastpointwhichisthesweetestofall!JesusChrist,wearetoldinourtext,cameintotheworld,“togiveHis lifearansomformany.”ThegreatnessofChrist’sRedemptionmaybemeasuredbytheEXTENTOFTHEDESIGNOFIT.HegaveHislife“aransom formany.” Imustnow return to that controvertedpoint again.Weareoftentold(Imeanthoseofuswhoarecommonlynicknamedbythe title of Calvinists—andwe are not verymuch ashamed of that.WethinkthatCalvin,afterall,knewmoreabouttheGospelthanalmostanyuninspiredmanwhohaseverlived)!WeareoftentoldthatwelimittheAtonement of Christ because we say that Christ has not made asatisfactionforallmen,orallmenwouldbesaved.Now,ourreplytothisis that, on the other hand, our opponents limit it—we do not! TheArminians sayChristdied for allmen.Ask themwhat theymeanby it.Did Christ die so as to secure the salvation of allmen? They say, “No,certainly not.”We ask them the next question—Did Christ die so as tosecure thesalvationofanyman inparticular?Theyanswer, “No.”Theyareobligedtoadmitthisiftheyareconsistent.Theysay“No,Christhasdiedthatanymanmaybesavedif—andthenfollowcertainconditionsofsalvation.Wesay,then,wewilljustgobacktotheoldstatement—Christdidnotdiesoasbeyondadoubttosecurethesalvationofanybody,didHe?Youmustsay, “No.”Youareobliged tosayso, foryoubelieve that

even after a man has been pardoned, he may yet fall from Grace andperish.Now,whoisitthatlimitsthedeathofChrist?Why,you!YousaythatChristdidnotdiesoastoInfalliblysecurethesalvationofanybody.Webegyourpardon,whenyousaywelimitChrist’sdeath!Wesay,“No,mydearSir,itisyouthatdoit.WesayChristsodiedthatHeInfalliblysecured the salvation of a multitude that no man can number, whothrough Christ’s death not only may be saved but are saved,must besavedandcannotbyanypossibilityrunthehazardofbeinganythingbutsaved! You are welcome to your atonement. Youmay keep it.We willneverrenounceoursforthesakeofit.”

Now, Beloved, when you hear anyone laughing or jeering at a LimitedAtonement,youmaytellhimthis—generalAtonementislikeagreatwidebridgewith only half an arch. It doesnot go across the stream. It onlyprofesses to go half way—it does not secure the salvation of anybody.Now, Ihadratherputmy footuponabridgeasnarrowasHungerford,whichwentall thewayacross, thanonabridgethatwasaswideastheworld,ifitdidnotgoallthewayacrossthestream!Iamtolditismydutyto say thatall men have been redeemed and I am told that there is aScriptural warrant for it—“Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to betestifiedinduetime.”Now,thatlookslikeaverygreatargument,indeed,on the other side of the question! For instance, look here—“Thewholeworld isgoneafterHim.”DidalltheworldgoafterChrist?“Thenwentall Judea and were baptized of Him in Jordan.”Was all Judea, or allJerusalembaptizedinJordan?“YouareofGod,littlechildren,”and“thewholeworldliesintheWickedOne.”Does“thewholeworld”theremeaneverybody? If so,howwas it, then, that therewere somewhowere “ofGod”? The words, “world,” and, “all,” are used in some seven or eightsenses in Scripture. And it is very rarely that, “all,” means all personstakenindividually!ThewordsaregenerallyusedtosignifythatChristhasredeemedsomeofallsorts—someJews,someGentiles,somerich,somepoor—andhasnotrestrictedHisRedemptiontoeitherJeworGentile.

Leavingcontroversy,however,Iwillnowansweraquestion.Tellmethen,Sir,whodidChristdiefor?WillyouanswermeaquestionortwoandIwilltellyouwhetherHediedforyou.DoyouneedaSavior?DoyoufeelthatyouneedaSavior?Areyouthismorningconsciousofsin?Hasthe

HolySpirittaughtyouthatyouarelost?ThenChristdiedforyouandyouwillbesaved!AreyouthismorningconsciousthatyouhavenohopeintheworldbutChrist?Do you feel that you, of yourself, cannot offer anAtonement that can satisfy God’s Justice? Have you given up allconfidence in yourselves? And can you say upon your bended knees,“Lord,save,orIperish”?Christdiedforyou!

Ifyouaresayingthismorning,“IamasgoodasIoughttobe.IcangettoHeavenbymyowngoodworks,” then, remember, theScripturesaysofJesus, “I camenot to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” SolongasyouareinthatstateIhavenoAtonementtopreachtoyou!Butifthismorning you feel guilty, wretched, conscious of your guilt and arereadytotakeChristtobeyouronlySavior,Icannotonlysaytoyouthatyoumaybesaved,butwhat isbetterstill, thatyouwillbesaved!WhenyouarestrippedofeverythingbuthopeinChrist.WhenyouarepreparedtocomeemptyhandedandtakeChristtobeyourAllandtobeyourselfnothing at all—then youmay look up to Christ and youmay say, “Youdear, You bleeding Lamb ofGod! Your griefswere endured forme. ByYour stripes I am healed and by Your sufferings I am pardoned.” Andthenseewhatpeaceofmindyouwillhave—forifChristhasdiedforyou,youcannotbelost!Godwillnotpunishtwiceforonething.

IfGodpunishedChristforyoursin,Hewillneverpunishyou.“Payment,God’s Justice cannot twice demand first, at the bleedingSurety’s hand,andthenagainatmine.”Wecantoday,ifwebelieveinChrist,marchtotheveryThroneofGod,standthere,andifitissaid,“Areyouguilty?”Wecan say, “Yes, guilty.”But if thequestion isput, “Whathaveyou to saywhyyoushouldnotbepunishedforyourguilt?”Wecananswer,“GreatGod,YourJusticeandYourLovearebothourguarantees thatYouwillnotpunishusforsin.FordidYounotpunishChristforsinforus?HowcanYou,then,beJust—howcanYoubeGodatall,ifYoupunishChristtheSubstitute,andthenpunishmanhimselfafterwards?”

Youronlyquestion is, “DidChristdie forme?”Andtheonlyanswerwecangiveis—“Thisisafaithfulsaying,andworthyofallacceptation,thatChrist came into the world to save sinners.” Can youwrite your namedown among the sinners? Not among the complimentary sinners, butamongthosethatfeelit,bemoanit, lamentit,seekmercyonaccountof

it?Areyouasinner?Thatfelt,thatknown,thatprofessed—youarenowinvitedtobelievethatJesusChristdiedforyoubecauseyouareasinner—andyouarebid to cast yourselfupon thisgreat immovableRock andfindeternalsecurityintheLordJesusChrist!

EffectualCalling

“WhenJesuscametotheplace,Helookedupandsawhimandsaiduntohim, Zaccheus,make haste and come down; for todaymust I abide atyourhouse.”–Luke19:5.

Notwithstanding our firm belief that you are, for the most part, wellinstructed in thedoctrinesof theeverlastingGospel,we are continuallyreminded in our conversation with young converts how absolutelynecessary it is to repeat our former lessons and repeatedly assert andprove over and over again those doctrineswhich lie at the basis of ourholy religion. Our friends, therefore, who have many years ago beentaught the great doctrine of effectual calling, will believe that while Ipreachvery simply thismorning, the sermon is intended for thosewhoareyoung in the fearof theLord, that theymaybetterunderstand thisgreatstartingpointofGodintheheart,theeffectualcallingofmenbytheHolySpirit.

Ishalluse thecaseofZaccheusasagreat illustrationof thedoctrineofeffectualcalling.Yourememberthestory.Zaccheushadacuriositytoseethewonderfulman,JesusChrist,whowasturningtheworldupsidedownandcausinganimmenseexcitementinthemindsofmen.Wesometimesfindfaultwithcuriosityandsayit issinful tocometothehouseofGodfrom that motive. I am not quite sure that we should hazard such anassertion.Themotiveisnotsinful,thoughcertainlyitisnotvirtuous—yetithasoftenbeenproved thatcuriosity isoneof thebestalliesofgrace.Zaccheus,moved by thismotive, desired to see Christ—but there weretwoobstaclesintheway—first,therewassuchacrowdofpeoplethathecould not get near the Savior. Second, he was so exceedingly short instature that there was no hope of his reaching over people’s heads tocatchaglimpseofHim.

Whatdidhedo?Hedidastheboysweredoing—fortheboysofoldtimeswerenodoubtjustliketheboysofthepresentage—theywereperchedupintheboughsofthetreetolookatJesusasHepassedalong.Elderlymanthoughhe is,Zaccheus jumpsupand therehe sits among the children.The boys are too much afraid of that stern old Publican, whom theirfathersdreaded,topushhimdownorcausehimanyinconvenience.Lookathimthere.WithwhatanxietyheispeepingdowntoseewhichisChrist—for the Savior had no pompous distinction.No one is walking beforeHimwithasilvermace.HedidnotholdagoldencrozierinHishand—Hehad no pontifical dress. In fact,Hewas just dressed like those aroundHim.Hehad a coat like that of a commonpeasant,madeof onepiecefromtoptobottom.ZaccheuscouldscarcelydistinguishHim.However,beforehehascaughtasightofChrist,ChristhasfixedHiseyeuponhimand standing under the tree, He looks up and says, “Zaccheus, makehaste and come down; for today I must abide at your house.” Downcomes Zaccheus. Christ goes to his house. Zaccheus becomes Christ’sfollowerandentersintothekingdomofHeaven.

1.Now, first, effectual calling isaverygraciousTruth ofGod.Youmayguessthis fromthefact thatZaccheuswasacharacterwhomweshouldsuppose the last tobesaved.Hebelongedtoabadcity—Jericho—acitywhich had been cursed and no one would suspect that anyone wouldcome out of Jericho to be saved. It was near Jericho that theman fellamongthieves—wetrustZaccheushadnohandinit—buttherearesomewho, while they are Publicans, can be thieves, also. We might as wellexpectconvertsfromSt.Giles’s,orthelowestpartsofLondon,fromtheworstandvilestdensofinfamy,asfromJerichointhosedays.

Ah,myBrethren, itmatters notwhere you come from—youmay comefromoneofthedirtieststreets,oneoftheworstbackslumsinLondon—if effectual grace calls you, it is an effectual call, which knows nodistinctionofplace.Zaccheusalsowasof anexceedinglybad trade andprobably cheated the people in order to enrich himself. Indeed, whenChristwent intohishouse, therewasanuniversalmurmurthatHehadgonetobeaguestwithamanthatwasasinner.But,myBrethren,graceknowsnodistinction. It isno respecterofpersons.GodcallswhomHewillsandHecalledthisworstofPublicans,intheworstofcities,fromthe

worstoftrades.Besides,Zaccheuswasonewhowastheleastlikelytobesavedbecausehewasrich.Itistrue,richandpoorarewelcome—noonehasthe leastexcusefordespairbecauseofhiscondition—yet it isa factthat“notmanygreatmen”aftertheflesh,“notmanymighty”arecalled,but“Godhaschosenthepoorofthisworld—richinfaith.”

But even here grace knows no distinction. The rich Zaccheus is calledfromthetree.Downhecomesandhe issaved.Ihavethought itoneofthegreatestinstancesofGod’scondescensionthatHecanlookdownonman.ButIwilltellyoutherewasagreatercondescensionthanthatwhenChristlookeduptoseeZaccheus.ForGodtolookdownonHiscreatures—thatismercy—butforChristsotohumbleHimselfthatHehastolookuptooneofHisowncreatures—thatbecomesmercy,indeed!

Ah,manyofyouhaveclimbedupthe treeofyourowngoodworksandperchedyourselvesinthebranchesofyourholyactionsandaretrustingin the freewillof thepoor creature,or resting in someworldlymaxim.Nevertheless,Christlooksupeventoproudsinnersandcallsthemdown.“Comedown,”saysHe,“todayImustabideatyourhouse.”HadZaccheusbeen a humble-minded man, sitting by the wayside, or at the feet ofChrist,weshouldthenhaveadmiredChrist’smercy.ButhereheisliftedupandChristlooksuptohimandbidshimcomedown.

2. Next it was a personal call. There were boys in the tree as well asZaccheusbut therewasnomistakeabout thepersonwhowascalled. Itwas, “Zaccheus, make haste and come down.” There are other callsmentionedinScripture.Itissaidespecially,“Manyarecalled,butfewarechosen.” Now that is not the effectual call which is intended by theApostlewhenhesaid,“WhomHecalled,themHealsojustified.”Thatisageneral call which many men, yes, all men reject, unless there comesafteritthepersonal,particularcall,whichmakesusChristians.YouwillbearmewitnessthatitwasapersonalcallthatbroughtyoutotheSavior.Itwas some sermonwhich ledyou to feel that youwere,nodoubt, thepersonintended.

Thetext,perhaps,was“You,God,seeme.”Andperhapstheministerlaidparticularstressontheword“me,”sothatyouthoughtGod’seyeswerefixeduponyou.Andbefore thesermonwasconcludedyou thoughtyou

sawGodopenthebookstocondemnyouandyourheartwhispered,“CananyhidehimselfinsecretplacesthatIshallnotseehim?saystheLord.”Youmighthavebeenperchedinthewindow,orstoodpackedintheaisle—butyouhadasolemnconvictionthatthesermonwaspreachedtoyouand not to other people. God does not callHis people in shoals but inunits.

“Jesussaiduntoher,Mary;andsheturnedandsaiduntohim,Rabboni,which is to say,Master.” Jesus sees Peter and John fishing by the lakeandHesaystothem,“FollowMe.”HeseesMatthewsittingatthetableatthereceiptofcustomandHesaysuntohim,“AriseandfollowMe,”andMatthewdidso.WhentheHolySpiritcomeshometoaman,God’sarrowgoes into his heart—it does not graze his helmet, or make some littlemark upon his armor—it penetrates between the joints of the harness,entering the marrow of the soul. Have you felt, dear Friends, thatpersonalcall?Doyourememberwhenavoicesaid,“Arise,Hecallsyou.”Can you look back to when you said, “My Lord,my God”— when youknewtheSpiritwasstrivingwithyouandyousaid,“Lord,IcometoYou,for Iknow thatYoucallme”? Imight call thewholeof you throughouteternitybutifGodcallone,therewillbemoreeffectthroughHispersonalcallofonethanmygeneralcallofmultitudes.

3. Thirdly, it is a hastening call. “Zaccheus,make haste.” The sinner,whenheiscalledbytheordinaryministry,replies,“Tomorrow.”Hehearsatellingsermonandhesays,“IwillturntoGodby-and-by.”Thetearsrolldownhischeekbuttheyarewipedaway.Somegoodnessappearsbutlikethe cloud of themorning it is dissipated by the sun of temptation. Hesays,“Isolemnlyvowfromthistimetobeareformedman.AfterIhaveoncemoreindulgedinmydarlingsinIwillrenouncemylustsanddecideforGod.”Ah,thatisonlyaminister’scallandisgoodfornothing.Hell,they say, is paved with good intentions. These good intentions arebegottenbygeneralcalls.

Theroadtoperditionislaidalloverwithbranchesofthetreeswhereonmenaresitting,fortheyoftenpulldownbranchesfromthetreesbuttheydonotcomedownthemselves.Thestrawlaiddownbeforeasickman’sdoorcauses thewheels to rollmorenoiselessly. So there are somewhostrewtheirpathwithpromisesofrepentanceandsogomoreeasilyand

noiselesslydowntoperdition.ButGod’s call isnota call for tomorrow.“Today if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts: as in theprovocation,whenyourfatherstemptedMe.”God’sgracealwayscomeswithdispatch—andifyouaredrawnbyGod,youwillrunafterGodandnotbetalkingaboutdelays.Tomorrow—itisnotwritteninthealmanacoftime.

Tomorrow—itisinSatan’scalendarandnowhereelse.Tomorrow—itisarockwhitenedbythebonesofmarinerswhohavebeenwreckeduponit.Tomorrowisthewrecker’slightgleamingontheshore,luringpoorshipstodestruction.Tomorrow—itistheidiot’scupwhichheliesatthefootoftherainbow,butwhichnonehaseverfound.Tomorrow—itisthefloatingisland of Loch Lomond, which none has ever seen. Tomorrow—it is adream.Tomorrow—it is a delusion.Tomorrow, yes, tomorrow youmaylift up your eyes in Hell, being in torment. Yonder clock says “today.”Yourpulsewhispers“today.”Ihearmyheartspeakasitbeatsanditsays,“today.” Everything cries “today.” And theHoly Spirit is in unionwiththesethingsandsays,“TodayifyouwillhearHisvoice,hardennotyourhearts.” Sinners, are you inclined now to seek the Savior? Are youbreathingaprayernow?Areyousaying,“Nowornever!Imustbesavednow”?Ifyouare,thenIhopeit isaneffectualcall, forChrist,whenHegivesaneffectualcall,says,“Zaccheus,makehaste.”

4.Next, it is ahumbling call. “Zaccheus,makehaste and come down.”Manya timehasaminister calledmen to repentancewitha callwhichhasmadethemproud,exaltedthemintheirownesteemandledthemtosay,“IcanturntoGodwhenI like.IcandosowithouttheinfluenceoftheHolySpirit.”Theyhavebeencalledtogoupandnottocomedown.Godalwayshumblesasinner.CanInotrememberwhenGodtoldmetocomedown?OneofthefirststepsIhadtotakewastogorightdownfrommygoodworks.Andoh,whatafallwasthat!ThenIstooduponmyownself-sufficiency and Christ said, “Come down! I have pulled you downfrom your good works and now I will pull you down from your self-sufficiency.”

Well,IhadanotherfallandIfeltsureIhadgainedthebottom,butChristsaid“Comedown!”AndHemademecomedowntillIfellonsomepointatwhichIfeltIwasnotsavable.“Down,Sir!comedown,yet.”Anddown

I cameuntil I had to let go of every branch of the tree ofmyhopes indespair.Then I said, “I candonothing. I am ruined.”Thewaterswerewrapped roundmy head and Iwas shut out from the light of day andthoughtmyselfastrangerfromthecommonwealthofIsrael.

“Comedownloweryet,Sir!Youhavetoomuchpridetobesaved.”ThenIwas brought down to seemy corruption,mywickedness,my filthiness.“Comedown,”saysGod,whenHemeanstosave.Now,proudSinners,itisofnouseforyoutobeproud,tostickyourselvesupinthetrees—Christwillhaveyoudown.Oh,youthatdwellwiththeeagleonthecraggyrock,youshallcomedownfromyourelevation—youshallfallbygrace,oryoushall fallwithavengeanceoneday.He“hascastdownthemightyfromtheirseatandhasexaltedthehumbleandmeek.”

5.Next,itisanaffectionatecall.“TodayImustabideatyourhouse.”Youcaneasilyconceivehowthefacesofthemultitudechange!TheythoughtChrist tobetheholiestandbestofmenandwerereadytomakeHimaking. ButHe says, “Today Imust abide at your house.” Therewas onepoor Jew who had been inside Zaccheus’ house—he had “been on thecarpet,” as they say in country villageswhen they are taken before thejustice and he recollectedwhat sort of a house itwas.He rememberedhowhewastakeninthereandhisconceptionsofitweresomethinglikewhataflywouldhaveofaspider’sdenafterhehadonceescaped.

Therewasanotherwhohadbeenrestrainedofnearlyallhisproperty—theideahehadofwalkingintherewaslikewalkingintoadenof lions.“What?”saidthey,“Isthisholymangoingintosuchadenasthat,wherewepoorwretcheshavebeen robbed and ill-treated? ItwasbadenoughforChrist to speak tohimup in the tree,but the ideaof going intohishouse!”TheyallmurmuredatHisgoingtobe“aguestwithamanwhowas a sinner.”Well, I know what some of His disciples thought—theythought it very imprudent—itmight injureHis character andHemightoffendthepeople.They thoughtHemighthavegonetosee thismanatnight,likeNicodemus,andgivehimanaudiencewhennobodysawHim!To acknowledge such a man publicly was the most imprudent act Hecouldcommit.

Why did Christ do as He did? Because He would give Zaccheus an

affectionatecall.“Iwillnotcomeandstandatyourthreshold,orlookinatyourwindow,butIwillcomeintoyourhouse—thesamehousewherethecriesofwidowshavecome intoyourearsandyouhavedisregardedthem.Iwillcomeintoyourparlor,wheretheweepingoftheorphanhasnever moved your compassion. I will come there, where you, like aravenouslionhavedevouredyourprey.Iwillcomethere,whereyouhaveblackenedyourhouseandmade it infamous. Iwill come into theplacewhere cries have risen to high Heaven, wrung from the lips of thosewhomyouhaveoppressed.

“Iwillcomeintoyourhouseandgiveyouablessing.”Oh,whataffectiontherewas inthat!PoorSinner,myMaster isaveryaffectionateMaster.He will come into your house.What kind of a house have you got? Ahousethatyouhavemademiserablewithyourdrunkenness—ahouseyouhave defiled with your impurity—a house you have defiled with yourcursingandswearing—ahousewhereyouarecarryingonanillegaltradethatyouwouldbeglad togetridof?Christsays, “Iwill come intoyourhouse.”AndIknowsomehousesnowthatonceweredensofsinwhereChrist comes every morning. Husband and wife, who once only couldquarrelandfight,bendtheirkneestogetherinprayer.Christcomesthereatdinnertime,whentheworkmancomeshomeforhismeals.Someofmyhearers can scarce come for anhour to theirmealsbut theymusthavewordofprayerandreadingoftheScriptures.

Christ comes to them. Where the walls were plastered up with thelascivious songs and idle pictures, there is a Christian almanac in oneplace.ThereisaBibleonthechestofdrawers—andthoughitisonlyoneroomtheylivein—ifanangelshouldcomeinandGodshouldsay,“Whathaveyouseeninthathouse?”Hewouldsay,“Ihaveseengoodfurniture,for there is a Bible there—here and there a religious book—the filthypictures are pulled down and burned. There are no cards in theman’scupboardnow.Christhascomeintohishouse.”Oh,whatablessingthatwe have our household God as well as the Romans! Our God is ahouseholdGod.Hecomesto livewithHispeople!He lovesthetentsofJacob.

Now,poorrag-muffinSinner,youwholiveinthefilthiestdeninLondon,if such an one be here, Jesus says to you, “Zaccheus, make haste and

comedown;fortodayImustabideatyourhouse.”

6.Again, itwasnotonlyanaffectionatecall,but itwasanabidingcall.TodayImustabideatyourhouse.”Acommoncall is likethis,“TodayIshall walk in at your house at one door and out at the other.” Thecommon call which is given by the Gospel to all men is a call whichoperatesuponthemforatimeandthenitisallover—butthesavingcallis anabiding call.When Christ speaks,He does not say, “Make haste,Zaccheusandcomedown,forIamjustcomingtolookin.”No.Hesays,“Imustabideat yourhouse. I amcoming to sit down to eat anddrinkwithyou. Iamcoming tohaveamealwithyou.Today Imustabideatyourhouse.”

“Ah,”saysone,“youcannottellhowmanytimesIhavebeenimpressed,Sir.IhaveoftenhadaseriesofsolemnconvictionsandIthoughtIreallywassaved—butitalldiedaway—likeadream.Whenoneawakes,allhasvanishedthathedreamed.Sowasitwithme.”Ah,butpoorSoul,donotdespair. Do you feel the strivings of Almighty Grace within your heartbidding you repent today? If you do, it will be an abiding call. If it isJesus at work in your soul, He will come and tarry in your heart andconsecrateyouforHisownforever.Hesays,“Iwillcomeanddwellwithyouandthatforever.Iwillcomeandsay—

“HereIwillmakeMysettledrest,

Nomorewillgoandcome;

Nomoreastrangeroraguest,

ButMasterofthishome.”

“Oh,”yousay,“thatiswhatIwant.Iwantanabidingcall,somethingthatwill last. I do not want a religion that will wash out, but a fast-colorreligion.”Well,thatisthekindofcallChristgives.Hisministerscannotgive it—but when Christ speaks, He speaks with power and says,“Zaccheus,makehaste and comedown; for today Imustabide at yourhouse.”

7.There isone thing,however, I cannot forgetand that is that itwasanecessarycall.Justreaditoveragain.“Zaccheus,makehasteandcomedown;fortodayImustabideatyourhouse.”ItwasnotathingthatHemight do, ormight not do—it was a necessary call. The salvation of asinnerisasmuchamatterofnecessitywithGodasthefulfillmentofHisCovenantthattherainshallnomoredrowntheworld.Thesalvationofeveryblood-boughtchildofGodisanecessarythingforthreereasons:

It is necessarybecause it isGod’spurpose. It isnecessarybecause it isChrist’spurchase and it is necessary because it is God’s promise. It isnecessarythatthechildofGodshouldbesaved.Somedivinesthinkitisverywrongtolayastressontheword“must,”especiallyinthatpassagewhere it is said, “Hemust go through Samaria.” “Why,” they say, “HemustneedsgothroughSamariabecausetherewasnootherwayHecouldgoandthereforeHewasforcedtogothatway.”Yes,Gentlemen,wereply,nodoubt.Butthentheremighthavebeenanotherway.ProvidencemadeitsothatHemustgothroughSamariaandthatSamariashouldlieintherouteHehadchosen.

“HemustneedsgothroughSamaria.”ProvidencedirectedmantobuildSamariadirectlyintheroadandgraceconstrainedtheSaviortomoveinthatdirection.Itwasnot,“Comedown,Zaccheus,becauseImayabideatyourhouse,”but“Imust.”TheSaviorfeltastrongnecessity.Justasmuchanecessityasthereisthatmanshoulddie.Asstronganecessityasthereisthatthesunshouldgiveuslightbydayandthemoonbynight—justsomuchanecessity is there thateveryblood-boughtchildofGodshallbesaved.

“TodayImustabideatyourhouse.”Andoh,whentheLordcomestothis—thatHemust—thenHewill.What a thing it iswith the poor sinner,then,atothertimesweask,“ShallIletHiminatall?Thereisastrangeratthedoor.Heisknockingnow—Hehasknockedbefore—shallIletHimin?” But this time it is, “I must abide at your house.” There was noknocking at the door, but smashwent the door into atoms!And inHewalked—I must, I shall, I will—I care not for your protecting yourvileness,yourunbelief.Imust,Iwill—Imustabideatyourhouse.”

“Ah,”saysone,“IdonotbelieveGodwouldevermakemetobelieveas

you believe, or become a Christian at all.” Ah, but if He shall but say,“Today Imustabideatyour house,” therewill beno resistance in you.TherearesomeofyouwhowouldscorntheveryideaofbeingacantingMethodist—“What, Sir? Do you suppose I would ever turn into one ofyourreligiouspeople?”No,myFriend,Idon’tsupposeit—Iknowitforacertainty. IfGodsays “Imust,” there isnostandingagainst it.LetHimsay“must,”anditmustbe.

Iwilljusttellyouananecdoteprovingthis.“Afatherwasaboutsendinghis son to college, but as he knew the influence to which he would beexposed, he was not without a deep and anxious solicitude for thespiritual and eternal welfare of his favorite child. Fearing lest theprinciplesofChristian faith,whichhehadendeavored to instill intohismindwouldberudelyassailed,buttrusting intheefficacyof thatWordwhich is quick and powerful, he purchased, unknown to his son, anelegantcopyoftheBibleanddepositeditatthebottomofhistrunk.

Theyoungmanentereduponhiscollegecareer.Therestraintsofapiouseducation were soon broken off and he proceeded from speculation todoubtsandfromdoubtstoadenialoftherealityofreligion.Afterhavingbecome inhisownestimation,wiser thanhis father, hediscoveredoneday,whilerummaginghistrunk,withgreatsurpriseandindignation,thesacreddeposit.He took it out andwhiledeliberating on themanner inwhich he should treat it, he determined that he would use it as wastepaper,onwhichtowipehisrazorwhileshaving.Accordingly,everytimehewenttoshave,hetoreoutaleafortwooftheholybookandthususedittillnearlyhalfthevolumewasdestroyed.

Butwhilehewas committing this outrageupon the sacredbook, a textnow and then met his eye and was carried like a barbed arrow to hisheart. At length, he heard a sermon, which discovered to him his owncharacterandhisexposuretothewrathofGod.Itriveteduponhismindthe impression which he had received from the last torn leaf of theblessed,yet insultedvolume.Hadworldsbeenathisdisposal,hewouldfreely have given them all, could they have availed, in enabling him toundowhathehaddone.AtlengthhefoundforgivenessatthefootoftheCross.Thetornleavesofthatsacredvolumebroughthealingtohissoul—fortheyledhimtoreposeonthemercyofGod,whichissufficientforthe

chiefofsinners.

Itellyouthereisnotareprobatewalkingthestreetsanddefilingtheairwithhisblasphemies.Thereisnotacreatureabandonedsoastobewell-nighasbadasSatanhimself—ifheisachildoflife—whoisnotwithinthereachofmercy.AndifGodsays,“TodayImustabideatyourhouse,”Hethenassuredlywill.

Doyou feel,mydearHearer, justnow, something, in yourmindwhichseemstosayyouhaveheldoutagainsttheGospelalongwhile,buttodayyoucanholdoutnolonger?Doyoufeelthatastronghandhasgotholdofyouanddoyouhearavoicesaying,“Sinner,Imustabideatyourhouse.YouhaveoftenscornedMe,youhaveoftenlaughedatMe,youhaveoftenspitinthefaceofmercy,oftenblasphemedMe,butSinner,Imustabideat your house. Youbanged the door yesterday in themissionary’s face.Youburnedthetract,youlaughedattheminister,youhavecursedGod’shouse,youhaveviolatedtheSabbath—but,Sinner,ImustabideatyourhouseandIwill”?

“What? Lord,” you say, “abide atmy house!Why it is covered all overwithiniquity.Abideinmyhouse!Whythereisnotachairoratablebutwouldcryoutagainstme.Abideinmyhouse!WhythejoistsandbeamsandflooringwouldallriseupandtellYouthatIamnotworthytokissthehemofYourgarment.What?Lord,abideatmyhouse!”“Yes,”saysHe,“Imust.There is a strong necessity,My powerful love constrainsMe andwhetheryouwillletMeornot,IamdeterminedtomakeyouwillingandyoushallletMein.”

Doesnotthissurpriseyou,poorTrembler—youwhothoughtthatmercy’sdaywasgoneandthatthebellofyourdestructionhadtolledyourdeath-knell? Oh, does not this surprise you, that Christ not only asks you tocometoHim,butinvitesHimselftoyourtable,andwhatismore,whenyouwouldputHimaway,kindlysays,Imust—Iwillcomein”?OnlythinkofChristgoingafterasinner,cryingafterasinner,beggingasinnertoletHimsavehim—andthatisjustwhatJesusdoestoHischosenones.

The sinner runs away fromHim, but free grace pursues him and says,“Sinner,cometoChrist.”And ifourheartsareshutup,ChristputsHis

handinatthedoorandifwedonotrise,butrepulseHimcoldly,Hesays,“Imust,Iwillcomein.”HeweepsoverustillHistearswinus.Hecriesafter us till His cries prevail—and at last in His own well- determinedhourHeentersintoourheartandthereHedwells.“Imustabideatyourhouse,”saidJesus.

8.Andnow,lastly,thiscallwasaneffectualone, forweseethefruits itbroughtforth.OpenwasZaccheus’door,spreadwashistable,generouswashisheart,washedwerehishands, unburdenedwas his conscience,joyfulwashissoul.“Here,Lord,”sayshe,“thehalfofmygoodsIgivetothepoor.IdaresayIhaverobbedthemofhalfmyproperty—andnowIrestoreit.AndifIhavetakenanythingfromanyonebyfalseaccusation,Iwillrestoreittohimfourfold.”Awaygoesanotherportionofhisproperty.Ah,Zaccheus,youwill go tobed tonightagreatdealpoorer thanwhenyougotupthismorning—butinfinitelyricher,too!

Poor, very poor, in this world’s goods, compared with what you werewhenyoufirstdidclimbthatsycamoretree.Butricher—infinitelyricher—inheavenly treasure.Sinner,weshallknowwhetherGodcalls youbythis—ifHecalls,itwillbeaneffectualcall—notacallwhichyouhearandthen forget—butonewhichproducesgoodworks. IfGodhascalledyouthismorning,downwillgothatdrunkencup,upwillgoyourprayers.IfGodhascalledyouthismorning,therewillnotbeoneshutterdowntodayinyourshop,butallandyouwillhaveanoticestuckup,“ThishouseisclosedontheSabbathandwillnotagainonthatday,beopened.”

Tomorrow therewill be such-and-suchworldly amusement—but ifGodhascalledyou,youwillnotgo.Andifyouhaverobbedanybody(andwhoknows but I may have a thief here), if God calls you, there will be arestorationofwhatyouhavestolen—youwillgiveupallthatyouhave—sothatyouwillfollowGodwithallyourheart.Wedonotbelieveamantobe converted unless he does renounce the error of his ways—unless,practically, he is brought to know that Christ Himself is Master of hisconscienceandHisLawishisdelight.

“Zaccheus,makehasteandcomedown,Imustabideatyourhouse.”Andhe made haste and came down and Jesus received him joyfully. “AndZaccheus stood and said unto the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my

goodsIgiveto thepoor;and if Ihavetakenanythingfromanymanbyfalse accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, Thisday is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son ofAbraham.FortheSonofManiscometoseekandtosavethatwhichwaslost.”

Now,oneortwolessons.Alessontotheproud.Comedown,proudheart,comedown!Mercy runs in valleys, but it goesnot to themountaintop.Comedown,comedown,loftyspirit!Theloftycity—Helaysitloweventothe ground and then He builds it up. Again, a lesson to the poordespairingsoul—IamgladtoseeyouinGod’shousethismorning—itisagoodsign.Icarenotwhatyoucamefor.Youheardtherewasastrangekindofmanthatpreachedhere,perhaps.Nevermindaboutthat.Youareallquiteasstrangeashe is. It isnecessary that thereshouldbestrangementogatherinotherstrangemen.

Now,Ihaveamassofpeoplehere.AndifImightuseafigure,Ishouldcompareyoutoagreatheapofashes,mingledwithwhichareafewsteelfilings.Now,mysermon,ifitisattendedwithDivineGrace,willbeasortofmagnet—itwillnotattractanyoftheashes—theywillkeepjustwheretheyare—butitwilldrawoutthesteelfilings.IhavegotaZaccheusthere.ThereisaMaryupthere.AJohndownthere,aSarah,oraWilliam,oraThomas there—God’s chosen ones—they are steel filings in thecongregationofashesandmyGospel,theGospeloftheblessedGod,likeagreatmagnet,drawsthemoutoftheheap.

There theycome, there theycome.Why?Because therewasamagneticpower between the Gospel and their hearts. Ah, poor Sinner, come toJesus,believeHis love,trustHismercy.Ifyouhaveadesire tocome, ifyou are forcing your way through the ashes to get to Christ, then it isbecauseChrist is calling you.Oh, all of youwhoknowyourselves tobesinners—everyman,womanandchildofyou—yes,youlittlechildren(forGodhasgivenmesomeofyou tobemywages),doyou feel yourselvessinners?

ThenbelieveonJesusandbesaved.Youhavecomeherefromcuriosity,manyofyou.Oh,thatyoumightbemetwithandsaved.IamdistressedforyoulestyoushouldsinkintoHell.Oh,listentoChristwhileHespeaks

to you. Christ says, “Come down.” Thismorning go home and humbleyourselves in the sight ofGod.Go and confess your iniquities that youhavesinnedagainstHim.Gohomeand tellHimthatyouareawretch,undonewithoutHissovereigngrace.ThenlooktoHim,forrestassuredHehas first looked toyou.Yousay, “Sir,oh, I amwillingenough tobesaved,butIamafraidHeisnotwilling.”

Stop!Stop!Nomoreof that!Doyouknow that ispartblasphemy?Notquite all. If you were not ignorant, I would tell you that it was fullblasphemy.YoucannotlooktoChristbeforeHehaslookedtoyou.Ifyouarewillingtobesaved,Hegaveyouthatwill.BelieveontheLordJesusChristandbebaptizedandyoushallbesaved.I trust theHolySpirit iscallingyou.

Young man up there, young man in the window, make haste! Comedown!Oldman, sitting in thesepews, comedown!Merchant inyonderaisle, make haste.Matron and youth, not knowing Christ, oh,mayHelookatyou!Oldgrandmother,hearthegraciouscall.Andyou,younglad,Christmay be looking at you—I trustHe is—and saying to you, “Makehasteandcomedown,fortodayImustabideatyourhouse.”

FinalPerseverance

“Foritisimpossibleforthosewhowereonceenlightenedandhavetastedoftheheavenlygift,andweremadepartakersoftheHolySpiritandhavetastedthegoodwordofGod,andthepowersoftheworldtocome,iftheyshallfallaway,torenewthemagainuntorepentance,seeingtheycrucifytothemselvestheSonofGodafresh,andputHimtoanopenshame.”–Hebrews6:4-6.

THEREaresomespotsinEuropewhichhavebeenthescenesoffrequentwarfare,as for instance, thekingdomofBelgiumwhichmightbecalledthebattlefieldofEurope.WarhasragedoverthewholeofEurope,butinsomeunhappyspots,battleafterbattlehasbeenfought.SothereisscarceapassageofScripturewhichhasnotbeendisputedbetweentheenemiesoftheTruthofGodandtheupholdersofit—butthispassagewithoneortwoothershasbeenthespecialsubjectofattack.Thisisoneofthetextswhich have been trod under the feet of controversy and there areopinionsupon itasadverseas thepoles.Someassert that itmeansonething and some declare that it means another.We think that some ofthemapproachsomewhatnearthetruth—butothersofthemdesperatelyerrfromthemindoftheSpirit.

Wecometothispassageourselveswiththeintentiontoreaditwiththesimplicityofachildandwhateverwefindthereintostateit.Andifitmaynot seem to agree with something we have up to now held, we arepreparedtocastawayeverydoctrineofourownratherthanonepassageofScripture.Lookingatthescopeofthewholepassage,itappearstousthat theApostlewishedtopushthediscipleson.There isatendency inthehumanmindtostopshortoftheheavenlymark.Assoonaseverwehave attained to the first principles of religion, have passed throughBaptismandunderstandtheresurrectionofthedead,thereisatendencyinustositstill—tosay,“Ihavepassedfromdeathuntolife.HereImaytakemystandandrest.”

The Christian life was intended not to be a sitting still, but a race, aperpetualmotion.TheApostle,therefore,endeavorstourgethedisciples

forwardandmakethenrunwithdiligencetheheavenlyrace,lookinguntoJesus.Hetellsthemthatitisnotenoughtohaveonacertaindaypassedthrough a glorious change—to have experienced at a certain time awonderfuloperationoftheSpirit.Rather,heteachesthemitisabsolutelynecessary that they should have the Spirit all their lives—that theyshould,aslongastheylive,beprogressingintheTruthofGod.Inordertomake thempersevere, ifpossible,he shows themthat if theydonot,theymust,mostcertainlybelost—forthereisnoothersalvationbutthatwhichGodhasalreadybestowedonthemandifthatdoesnotkeepthem—carry them forward and present them spotless before God—therecannotbeanyother.Itisimpossible,hesays,ifyouareonceenlightenedand then fall away, that you should ever be renewed again untorepentance.

Weshall, thismorning,answeroneortwoquestions.Thefirstquestionwillbe,Whoarethepeopleherespokenof?AretheytrueChristians,ornot? Secondly,What is meant by “falling away”? And thirdly, What isintended, when it is asserted, that it is impossible to renew them torepentance?

I.First, then,weanswer thequestion,WHOARETHEPEOPLEHERESPOKENOF?IfyoureadDr.Gill,Dr.OwenandalmostalltheeminentCalvinistic writers they all of them assert that these persons are notChristians.TheysaythatenoughissaidheretorepresentamanwhoisaChristianexternallybutnotenoughtogivetheportraitofatrueBeliever.Now,itstrikesmetheywouldnothavesaidthisiftheyhadnothadsomedoctrine to uphold—for a child reading this passagewould say that thepersonsintendedbyitmustbeChristians.IftheHolySpiritintendedtodescribeChristians, Idonot see thatHe couldhaveusedmore explicittermsthantherearehere.Howcanamanbesaidtobeenlightened,totaste of the heavenly gift and to be made partaker of the Holy Spirit,withoutbeingachildofGod?Withalldeferencetotheselearneddoctors,andIadmireandlovethemall,Ihumblyconceivethattheyallowedtheirjudgmentstobealittlewarpedwhentheysaidthat.

AndIthinkIshallbeabletoshowthatnonebuttrueBelieversareheredescribed.First,theyarespokenofashavingbeenonceenlightened.ThisreferstotheenlighteninginfluenceofGod’sSpirit,pouredintothesoulat

the time of conviction—when man is enlightened with regard to hisspiritualstate.WhenheismadetoseehowevilandbitterathingitistosinagainstGod,madetofeelhowutterlypowerlessheistorisefromthegrave of his corruption—and is further enlightened to see, that “by thedeedsof theLawshallnoflesh livingbe justified,”andtobeholdChristontheCross,asthesinner’sonlyhope.

Thefirstworkofgraceistoenlightenthesoul.Bynatureweareentirelydark.TheSpirit,likealamp,shedslightintothedarkheart,revealingitscorruption, displaying its sad state of destitution and, in due time,revealingalsoJesusChrist,sothatinHislightwemayseelight.IcannotconsideramantrulyenlightenedunlessheisachildofGod.Doesnottheterm indicate a person taught of God? It is not the whole of Christianexperience—butisitnotapart?

Havingenlightenedus,asthetextsays,thenextthingthatGodgrantstous isa tasteof theheavenlygift,bywhichweunderstand theheavenlygiftofsalvation,includingthepardonofsin,justificationbytheimputedrighteousness of Jesus Christ, regeneration by the Holy Spirit and allthosegifts andgraces inwhich the earlierdawnof spiritual life conveysalvation. All true Believers have tasted of the heavenly gift. It is notenough for a man to be enlightened—the light may glare upon hiseyeballs—andyethemaydie—hemusttasteaswellasseethattheLordisgood.ItisnotenoughtoseethatIamcorrupt—ImusttastethatChristisabletoremovemycorruption.ItisnotenoughformetoknowthatHeisthe only Savior—Imust taste ofHis flesh and ofHis blood and have avitalunionwithHim.

Wemostcertainlythinkthatwhenamanhasbeenenlightenedandhashad an experience of grace, he is a Christian. Whatever those greatdivinesmighthold,wecannotthinkthattheHolySpiritwoulddescribeanunregeneratemanashavingbeenenlightenedandashavingtastedoftheheavenlygift.No,myBrethren, if Ihave tastedof theheavenlygift,thenthatheavenlygiftismine.IfIhavehadeversoshortanexperienceofmySavior’slove,IamoneofHis.IfHehasbroughtmeintothegreenpastures andmademe taste of the still waters and the tender grass, IneednotfearastowhetherIamreallyachildofGod.

Then the Apostle gives a further description, a higher state of grace—sanctificationbyparticipationoftheHolySpirit.Itisapeculiarprivilegeto Believers, after their first tasting of the heavenly gift, to be madepartakersoftheHolySpirit.HeisanindwellingSpirit.Hedwellsinthehearts,soulsandmindsofmen.HemakesthismortalfleshHishome—HemakesoursoulHispalaceandthereHerests.Wedoassert(andwethinkontheauthorityofScripture),thatnomancanbeapartakeroftheHolySpiritandyetbeunregenerate.WheretheHolySpiritdwellstheremustbelifeandifIhaveparticipationwiththeHolySpiritandfellowshipwithHim,thenImayrestassuredthatmysalvationhasbeenpurchasedby thebloodof theSavior.Youneednot fear,Beloved—if youhave theHoly Spirit, you have that which ensures your salvation. If you, by aninward communion, can participate inHis Spirit and if by a perpetualindwellingtheHolySpiritrestsinyou,youarenotonlyaChristian,butyouhavearrivedatsomematurityinandbygrace.Youhavegonebeyondmere enlightenment—you have passed from the bare taste—you haveattainedtoapositivefeastandapartakingoftheHolySpirit.

Lest there should be any mistake, however, about the persons beingchildrenofGod,theApostlegoestoafurtherstageofgrace.They“havetastedthegoodWordofGod.”NowIwillventuretosaytherearesomegoodChristianpeopleherewhohavetastedtheheavenlygift,whohavenever“tastedthegoodWordofGod.”Imeanbythat,thattheyarereallyconverted,havetastedtheheavenlygift,buthavenotgrownsostrongingraceastoknowthesweetness, therichnessandthefatnessof theveryWordthatsavedthem.TheyhavebeensavedbytheWord—buttheyhavenot come yet to realize, love and feed upon theWord as many othershave.

It is one thing forGod towork awork of grace in the soul—it is quiteanotherthingforGodtoshowusthatwork.ItisonethingfortheWordtowork in us—it is another thing for us really and habitually to relish,tasteandrejoiceinthatWord.SomeofmyhearersaretrueChristiansbuttheyhavenotgottothatstagewhereintheycanloveelectionandsuckitdown as a sweetmorsel. They have not got wherein they can take thegreatdoctrinesofgraceandfeeduponthem.Butthesepeoplehad.TheyhadtastedthegoodWordofGodaswellasreceivedthegoodgift—they

hadattainedtosuchastatethattheyhadlovedtheWord,hadtastedandfeasteduponit.Itwasthemanoftheirrighthand.Theyhadcounteditsweeter thanhoney,yes, sweeter thanthedroppingsof thehoneycomb.Theyhad“tastedthegoodWordofGod.”Isayagain,ifthesepeoplearenotBelievers—whoare?

And theyhadgone further still.Theyhadattained the summitofpiety.They had received “the powers of theworld to come.” Notmiraculousgiftswhicharedeniedus in thesedaysbutall thosepowerswithwhichtheHolySpiritendowsaChristian.Andwhatarethey?Why,thereisthepoweroffaith,whichcommandseventheheavensthemselvestorainandtheyrain,orstopthebottlesofHeaven, that theyrainnot.There is thepowerofprayer,whichputsaladderbetweenearthandHeavenandbidsangelswalkupanddown, to conveyourwants toGodandbringdownblessings from above. There is the power with which God girds Hisservant when he speaks by inspiration, which enables him to instructothersandleadthemtoJesus.Andwhateverotherpowertheremaybe—the power of holding communion with God, or the power of patientlywaitingfortheSonofMan—theywerepossessedbytheseindividuals.

They were not simply children, but they were MEN—they were notmerely alive but they were entitled with power. They weremen whosemuscles were firmly set, whose bones were strong. They had becomegiantsingraceandhadreceivednotonlythelight,butthepoweralsooftheworldtocome.These,wesay,whateverthemeaningofthetextmusthavebeen,werebeyondadoubtnoneotherthantrueandrealChristians.

II. And now we answer the second question, WHAT IS MEANT BYFALLING AWAY? We must remind our friends that there is a vastdistinction between falling away and falling. It is nowhere said inScripturethatifamanfallhecannotberenewed.Onthecontrary,“therighteous falls seven times, but he rises up again.” And howevermanytimes the childofGoddoes fall, theLord still holds the righteous.Yes,whenourbonesarebrokenHebindsupourbonesagainandsetsusoncemoreuponarock.Hesays,“Return,youbackslidingchildrenofmen,forIammarrieduntoyou,”and if theChristiandoesbackslideeverso far,still Almightymercy cries, “Return, return, return and seek an injuredFather’sheart.”HestillcallsHischildrenbackagain.

Falling is not falling away. Letme explain the difference. Amanwhofallsmaybehave just likeamanwho fallsawayandyet there isagreatdistinction between the two. I can use no better illustration than thedistinctionbetweenfaintinganddying.Thereliesayoungcreature—shecanscarcelybreathe—shecannot,herself,liftupherhandandifliftedupby anyone else, it falls. She is cold and stiff, she is faint, but not dead.There is another one, just as cold and stiff as she is, but there is thisdifference—she isdead.TheChristianmayfaintandmayfalldowninafaint,too.Andsomemaypickhimupandsayheisdead—butheisnot.Ifhe falls, God will lift him up again, but if he falls away, God Himselfcannotsavehim.Foritisimpossible,iftherighteousfallaway,“torenewthemagainuntorepentance.”

Moreover,tofallawayisnottocommitsinunderatemporarysurpriseandtemptation.AbrahamgoestoEgypt.Heisafraidthathiswifewillbetakenawayfromhimandhesays,“Sheismysister.”Thatwasasinundera temporary surprise—a sin, ofwhich, by-and-by he repented andGodforgavehim.Nowthat is falling—but it isnot fallingaway.EvenNoahmight commit a sinwhichhas degradedhismemory even till now andshalldisgraceittothelatesttime—but,doubtless,Noahrepentedandwassaved by Sovereign Grace. Noah fell, but Noah did not fall away. AChristianmaygoastrayonceandspeedilyreturnagain—andthoughitisasad,woefulandevilthingtobesurprisedintoasin—yetthereisagreatdifferencebetweenthisandthesinwhichwouldbeoccasionedbyatotalfallingawayfromgrace.

Norcanamanwhocommitsasinwhichisnotexactlyasurprise,besaidto fall away. I believe that some Christian men—(God forbid that weshouldsaymuchofit!—letuscoverthenakednessofourbrotherwithacloak)—butIdobelievethattherearesomeChristians,who,foraperiodoftime,havewanderedintosinandyethavenotpositively fallenaway.There is thatblack caseofDavid—acasewhichhaspuzzled thousands.Certainly for some months David lived without making a publicconfession of his sin, but, doubtless, he had achings of heart, for gracehadnotceaseditswork.TherewasasparkamongtheashesthatNathanstirred up which showed that David was not dead, or else the matchwhichtheProphetappliedwouldnothavecaughtlightsoreadily.Andso,

Beloved,youmayhavewandered into sin fora timeandgone far fromGod—andyetyouarenotthecharacterheredescribed,concerningwhomitissaidthatitisimpossibleyoushouldbesaved.Wandererthoughyouare, you are your Father’s son still, and mercy cries, “Repent, repent!Returnuntoyourfirsthusband,forthenitwasbetterwithyouthanitisnow.Return,OWanderer,return.”

Again, fallingaway isnotevenagivingupofprofession.Somewill say,“Now there is So-and-So, he used tomake a profession of Christianityandnowhedeniesit—andwhatisworse,hedarestocurseandswearandsaysthatheneverknewChristatall.Surelyhemustbefallenaway.”MyFriend,hehasfallen,fallenfearfullyandfallenwoefully—butIrememberacaseinScriptureofamanwhodeniedhisLordandMasterbeforeHisown face! You remember his name—he is an old friend of yours—ourfriendSimonPeter!HedeniedHimwithoathsandcursesandsaid,“IsayuntoyouthatIknownottheman.”AndyetJesuslookedonSimon.Hehadfallen,buthehadnotfallenaway—for,onlytwoorthreedaysafterthat,therewasPeteratthetombofhisMasterrunningtheretomeethisLord,tobeoneofthefirsttofindHimrisen!

Beloved,youmayevenhavedeniedChristbyopenprofessionandyetifyourepentthereismercyforyou.Christhasnotcastyouaway,youshallrepent yet.Youhavenot fallenaway. If youhad, Imightnotpreach toyou—for it is impossible for thosewhohave fallen away to be renewedagainuntorepentance.

Butsomeonesays,“Whatisfallingaway?”Well, thereneverhasbeenacaseof it yetand therefore I cannotdescribe it fromobservation.But IwilltellyouwhatIsupposeitis.TofallawaywouldbefortheHolySpiritentirely to go out of aman—forHis grace entirely to cease—not to liedormant, but to cease to be—for God, who has begun a goodwork, toleaveoffdoingitentirely—totakeHishandcompletelyandentirelyawayandsay,“there,Man!Ihavehalf-savedyou,nowIwilldamnyou.”Thatiswhatfallingawayis.

Itisnottosintemporarily.Achildmaysinagainsthisfatherandstillbealive. Falling away is like cutting the child’s head off clean.Not fallingmerely, forthenourFathercouldpickusup—butbeingdasheddowna

precipice where we are lost forever. Falling away would involve God’sgrace changing its livingnature,God’s immutability becoming variable,God’s faithfulness becoming changeable and God Himself beingundeified—forallthesethingsfallingawaywouldnecessitate.

III.ButifachildofGodcouldfallawayandgracecouldceaseinaman’sheart—nowcomesthethirdquestion—Paulsays,ITISIMPOSSIBLEFORHIM TO BE RENEWED. What did the Apostle mean? One eminentcommentatorsayshemeantthatitwouldbeveryhard.Itwouldbeveryhard,indeed,foramanwhofellaway,tobesaved.Butwereply,“MydearFriend, it does not say anything about its being very hard—it says it isimpossibleandweliketoreadourBiblejustasachildwouldreadit.”Itsaysitisimpossibleandwesaythatitwouldbeutterlyimpossible,ifsucha case as is supposed were to happen—impossible for man and alsoimpossible for God—for God has purposed that He never will grant asecond salvation to save those whom the first salvation has failed todeliver.

Methinks,however,Ihearsomeonesay,“Itseemstomethatitispossibleforsomesuchtofallaway,”becauseitsays,‘Itisimpossible,iftheyshallfallaway,torenewthemagainintorepentance.’”Well,myFriend,Iwillgrant you your theory for a moment. You are a good Christian thismorning.Letusapplyittoyourselfandseehowyouwilllikeit.YouhavebelievedinChristandcommittedyoursoultoGodandyouthinkthatinsomeunluckyhouryoumayfallentirelyaway.Markyou,ifyoucometomeandtellmethatyouhavefallenaway,howwouldyoulikemetosaytoyou,“MyFriend,youareasmuchdamnedasthedevil inHell!For it isimpossibletorenewyoutorepentance”?

“Oh,no,Sir,”youwouldsay, “Iwill repentagainand join theChurch.”ThatisjusttheArminiantheoryallover—butitisnotinGod’sScripture.Ifyouonce fallawayyouareasdamnedasanymanwhosuffers in thegulf forever. And yet we have heard a man talk about people beingconverted three, four, and five times, and regenerated over and overagain.Irememberagoodman(Isupposehewas)pointingtoamanwhowaswalkingalongthestreetandsaying,“Thatmanhasbeenbornagainthreetimes,tomycertainknowledge,”(Icouldmentionthenameoftheindividual but I refrain from doing so) “and believe hewill fall again,”

said he. “He is somuch addicted to drinking that I do not believe thegraceofGodwilldoanythingforhim,unlesshebecomesateetotaler.”

Now,suchmencannotreadtheBible,becauseincasetheirmembersdopositivelyfallaway,hereitisstatedasapositivefactthatitisimpossibletorenewthemagainuntorepentance.ButIaskmyArminianfriend,doeshenotbelievethataslongasthereislifethereishope?“Yes,”hesays—

“Whilethelampholdsouttoburn,

Thevilestsinnermayreturn.”

Well,thatisnotveryconsistent—tosaythis—andintheverynextbreathtellusthattherearesomepeoplewhofallawayandconsequentlyfallintosuchaconditionthattheycannotbesaved.Iwanttoknowhowyoumakethesetwothingsfiteachother?Iwantyoutomakethesetwodoctrinesagreeanduntilsomeenterprisingindividualwillbringthenorthpoleandsetitonthetopofthesouth,Icannottellhowyouwillaccomplishit.Thefactisyouarequiterightinsaying,“Whilethereislifethereishope”—butyou are wrong in saying that any individual ever did fall into such aconditionthatitwasimpossibleforhimtobesaved.

We come now to do two things—first to prove the doctrine, that if aChristian fallsaway,hecannotbe saved.And, secondly, to improve thedoctrine,ortoshowitsuse.

1.NowIamgoingtoprovethedoctrinethatifaChristianFALLAWAY—notfall—foryouunderstandhowIhaveexplainedthat—butifaChristianceasestobeachildofGodandifgracediesoutinhisheart—heisthenbeyondthepossibilityofsalvationanditisimpossibleforhimevertoberenewed. Let me show you why. First, it is utterly impossible, if youconsidertheworkwhichhasalreadybrokendown.Whenmenhavebuiltbridgesacrossstreams, if theyhavebeenbuiltof thestrongestmaterialandinthemostexcellentmannerandyetthefoundationhasbeenfoundso bad that nonewill stand,what do they say?Why, “Wehave alreadytried thebestwhich engineeringor architecturehas taughtus, the besthasalreadyfailed.Weknownothingthatcanexceedwhathasbeentried.And we do, therefore, feel that there remains no possibility of ever

bridgingthatstream,oreverrunningalineofrailroadacrossthisbogorthismorass,forwehavealreadytriedwhatisacknowledgedtobethebestscheme.”

As the Apostle says, “These people have been once enlightened. TheyhavehadoncetheinfluenceoftheHolySpiritrevealingtothemtheirsin—whatnowremainstobetried?Theyhavebeenonceconvicted—isthereanything superior to conviction? Does the Bible promise that the poorsinner shall have anything over and above the conviction of his sin tomakehimsensibleofit?Isthereanythingmorepowerfulthantheswordof theSpirit? If thathasnotpierced theman’sheart—is thereanythingelsewhichwilldoit?HereisamanwhohasbeenunderthehammerofGod’s Law but that has not broken his heart—can you find anythingstronger?The lampofGod’sSpirithasalready litup the cavernsofhissoul—ifthatisnotsufficient,wherewillyouborrowanother?

Ask the sun—has he a lamp more bright than the illumination of theSpirit?Askthestars—havetheyalightmorebrilliantthanthelightoftheHolySpirit?CreationanswersNo.Ifthatfails,thenthereisnothingelse.Thesepeople,moreover, had tasted the heavenly gift—and though theyhad been pardoned and justified, yet pardon through Christ andjustification were not enough (on this supposition) to save them.Howelse can theybe saved?Godhas cast themaway.AfterHehas failed insaving them by these, what else can deliver them? Already they havetastedoftheheavenlygift—isthereagreatermercyforthem?Isthereabrighter dress than the robe of Christ’s righteousness? Is there amoreefficaciousbaththanthat“fountainfilledwithblood”?No.All theearthechoes,“No.”Iftheonehasfailed,whatelsedoesthereremain?

Thesepersons, too,havebeenpartakers of theHolySpirit—if that failswhatmore canwe give them? If,myHearer, theHoly Spirit dwells inyoursoulandthatHolySpiritdoesnotsanctifyyouandkeepyoutotheend, what else can be tried? Ask the blasphemer whether he knows abeing,ordarestosupposeabeingsuperiortotheHolySpirit!Isthereabeing greater than Omnipotence? Is there a might greater than thatwhichdwells in theBeliever’s new-bornheart?And if already theHolySpirithasfailed,O,Heaven,telluswherewecanfindanythingthatcanexcelHismight?

If that is ineffectual, what next is to be tried? These people, who had“tasted thegoodWordofLife,”had loved thedoctrinesofgrace.Thosedoctrineshadenteredintotheirsoulsandtheyhadfeduponthem.Whatnewdoctrinesshallbepreachedtothem?Prophetofages!Wherewillyoufind another systemofDivinity?Who shallwe have? Shallwe raise upMoses from the tomb? Shall we fetch up all the ancient seers and bidthem prophesy? If, then, there is only one doctrine that is true and ifthesepeoplehavefallenawayafterreceivingthat,howcantheybesaved?

Again, thesepeople, according to the text, havehad “thepowers of theworld to come.” They have had power to conquer sin—power in faith,power in prayer, power of communion.With what greater power shalltheybeendowed?Thishasalreadyfailed—whatnextcanbedone?Oyouangels! Answer, what next?What othermeans remain?What else canavail, if already the great things of salvationhavebeendefeated?Whatelse shall now be attempted? He had been once saved—but yet it issupposed that he is lost. How, then, can he now be saved? Is there asupplementary salvation? Is there something that shall overtop ChristandbeaChristwhereJesusisdefeated?

AndthentheApostlesaysthatthegreatnessoftheirsinwhichtheywouldincur,iftheydidfallaway,wouldputthembeyondtheboundsofmercy.Christ died and by His death He made an atonement for His ownmurderers.Hemade an atonement for those sinswhich crucifiedHimonce,butdowereadthatChristwilleverdieforthosewhocrucifyHimtwice? But the Apostle tells us that if Believers do fall away, they will“crucifytheSonofGodafreshandputHimtoanopen shame.”Where,then,wouldbeanatonementforthat?Hehasdiedforme.What?Thoughthe sins of all theworldwere onmy shoulders, still they only crucifiedHimonceandthatonecrucifixionhastakenallthosesinsaway.ButifIcrucifiedHimagain,wherewould I find pardon?Couldheavens, couldearth, could Christ Himself with His heart full of love, point me toanother Christ—show to me a second Calvary—give me a secondGethsemane?Ah,no!Theveryguiltitselfwouldputusbeyondthepaleofhope,ifweweretofallaway!

Again Beloved, think what it would necessitate to save such a man.

Christhasdiedforhimonce,yethehasfallenawayandislost.TheSpirithasregeneratedhimonceandthatregeneratingworkhasbeenofnouse.God has given him a new heart (I am only speaking, of course, on thesupposition of theApostle)—Hehas putHis Law in that heart—yetHehasdepartedfromhim—contrarytothepromisethatHeshouldnot.Hehasmadehim“likeashininglight,”buthedidnot“shinemoreandmoreunto theperfect day,” he shoneonlyuntoblackness.Whatnext?Theremustbeasecondincarnation,asecondCalvary,asecondHolySpirit,asecond regeneration, a second justification, although the first wasfinishedandcomplete—infact,Iknownotwhat.Itwouldnecessitatetheupsettingofthewholekingdomofnatureandgraceanditwould,indeed,be a world turned upside down, if after the gracious Savior failed, Heweretoattempttheworkagain.

If you read the 7th and 8th verses, you will see that the Apostle callsnatureintohisassistance.Hesays,“Theearthwhichdrinksintherainthatcomesoftenuponitandbringsforthherbsmeetforthembywhomitisdressed,receivesblessingfromGod:Butthatwhichbearsthornsandbriarsisrejectedandisnighuntocursing;whoseenditistobeburned.”Look!Thereisafield.Theraincomesonitanditbringsforthgoodfruit.Well, then,there isGod’sblessingon it.But there is, according toyoursupposition, another field onwhich the same rain descends,which thesamedewmoistens.Ithasbeenplowedandharrowedaswellastheotherandthefarmerhasexercisedallhiscraftuponitandyetitisnotfertile.

Well,iftherainofHeavendidnotfertilizeit,whatnext?Alreadyalltheartsofagriculturehavebeen tried, every implementhasbeenwornoutonitssurfaceandyetithasbeenofnoavail.Whatnext?Thereremainsnothingbutthatitshallbeburnedandcursed—givenuplikethedesertofSaharaandresigned todestruction.So,myHearer, could itbepossiblethatgracecouldworkinyouandthennotaffectyoursalvation?ThattheinfluenceofDivineGracecouldcomedown, like rain fromHeavenandyetreturnuntoGodvoid?Therecouldnotbeanyhopeforyou, foryouwouldbe“nighuntocursing,”andyourendwouldbe“tobeburned.”

Thereisoneideawhichhasoccurredtous.IthasstruckusasasingularthingthatourFriendsshouldholdthatmencanbeconverted,madeintonew creatures, then fall away and be converted again. I am an old

creaturebynature.Godcreatesmeintoanewthing.Hemakesmeanewcreature.IcannotgobackintoanoldcreatureforIcannotbeuncreated.Butyet,supposingthatnewcreatureshipofmineisnotgoodenoughtocarrymetoHeaven.Whatistocomeafterthat?Musttherebesomethingaboveanewcreature—anew,newcreature?Really,myFriends,wehavegot into the country of Dreamland—but we were forced to follow ouropponents intothatregionofabsurdity forwedonotknowhowelsetodealwiththem.

And one thoughtmore. There is nothing in Scripturewhich teaches usthat there is any salvation, save the one salvation of Jesus Christ—nothingthattellsusofanyotherpower,super-excellentandsurpassingthepoweroftheHolySpirit.Thesethingshavealreadybeentriedontheman and yet, according to the supposition, they have failed, for he hasfallenaway.NowGodhasneverrevealedasupplementarysalvationformenonwhomonesalvationhashadnoeffect.Anduntilwearepointedto one Scripture which declares this, we will still maintain that thedoctrineof the text is this—that if grace is ineffectual, if gracedoesnotkeepaman,thenthereisnothingleftbutthathemustbedamned.Andwhatisthatbuttosay,onlygoingalittleroundabout,thatgracewilldoit? So that these words instead of militating against the Calvinisticdoctrineof final perseverance, formoneof the firmestproofs of it thatcouldbeafforded.

Andnow, lastly,we come to clarify this doctrine. If Christians can fallaway and cease to be Christians, they cannot be renewed again torepentance.“But,”saysone,“Yousaytheycannotfallaway.Whatistheuse of putting this ‘if’ in, like a bugbear to frighten children, or like aghostthatcanhavenoexistence?”MylearnedFriend,“WhoareyouthatrepliesagainstGod?”IfGodhasputitin,Hehasputitinforwisereasonsandforexcellentpurposes.Letmeshowyouwhy.

First, O Christian, it is put in to keep you from falling away. GodpreservesHischildrenfromfallingaway.ButHekeepsthembytheuseofmeans—andoneof these is theterrorsof theLaw—showing themwhatwouldhappeniftheyweretofallaway.Thereisadeepprecipice—whatisthebestwaytokeepanyonefromgoingdownthere?Whytotellhimthatifhedidhewouldinevitablybedashedtopieces.Insomeoldcastlethere

isadeepcellarwhere there isavastamountof fixedairandgaswhichwouldkillanybodywhowentdown.Whatdoestheguidesay?

“If you go down you will never come up alive.” Who thinks of goingdown?Theveryfactoftheguidetellinguswhattheconsequenceswouldbe,keepsusfromit.OurFriendputsawayfromusacupofarsenic,hedoesnotwantustodrinkit,buthesays,“Ifyoudrinkit,itwillkillyou.”Doeshesuppose foramomentthatweshoulddrink it?No.He tellsustheconsequenceandheissurewewillnotdoit.SoGodsays,“Mychild,ifyoufalloverthisprecipiceyouwillbedashedtopieces.”Whatdoesthechilddo?Hesays,“Father,keepme.HoldmeupandIshallbesafe.”Itleads the Believer to greater dependence on God, to a holy fear andcaution, becausehe knows that if hewere to fall away he could not berenewedandhestandsfarawayfromthatgreatgulf,becauseheknowsthatifheweretofallintoittherewouldbenosalvationforhim.

ItiscalculatedtoexcitefearandthisholyfearkeepstheChristianfromfalling. If I thought as theArminian thinks, that Imight fall away andthen return again, I should pretty often fall away. For sinful flesh andbloodwouldthinkitverynicetofallawayandbeasinner—goandseetheplayatthetheater,orgetdrunk—andthencomebacktotheChurchandbereceivedagainasadearBrotherwhohadfallenawayforalittlewhile.Nodoubttheministerwouldsay,“OurBrotherCharlesisalittleunstableattimes.”Alittleunstable?!Hedoesnotknowanythingaboutgrace—forgrace engenders a holy caution, because we feel that if we were notpreservedbyDivinepowerweshouldperish.

We tell our friend to put oil in his lamp, that itmay continue toburn!Doesthatimplythatitwillbeallowedtogoout?No,Godwillgivehimoiltopourintothelampcontinually.LikeJohnBunyan’sfigure—therewasafireandhesawamanpouringwateruponit.“Now,”saysthePreacher,“don’tyouseethatfirewouldgoout,thatwateriscalculatedtoputitoutand if it does, itwill neverbe lighted again?”ButGoddoesnot permitthat!Forthereisamanbehind thewallwhoispouringoilonthefire—andwehavecauseforgratitudeinthefactthatiftheoilwerenotputinbyaheavenlyhand,weshould inevitablybedriventodestruction.Takecare,thenChristian,forthisisacaution.

2.Itistoexciteourgratitude.Supposeyousaytoyourlittleboy,“Don’tyouknow,Tommy,ifIwerenottogiveyouyourdinnerandyoursupperyouwoulddie?ThereisnobodyelsetogiveTommydinnerandsupper.”Whatthen?Thechilddoesnotthinkthatyouarenotgoingtogivehimhisdinnerandsupper—heknowsyouwill—andheisgrateful toyouforthem.The chemist tellsus that if therewerenooxygenmixedwith theair,animalswoulddie.Doyousupposethattherewillbenooxygenandthereforeweshalldie?No,heonlyteachesyouthegreatwisdomofGod,inhavingmixedthegasesintheirproperproportions.

Saysoneoftheoldastronomers,“ThereisgreatwisdominGod,thatHehasputthesunexactlyatarightdistance—notsofarawaythatweshouldbefrozentodeathandnotsonearthatweshouldbescorched.”Hesays,“If the sunwere amillionmilesnearer to uswe should be scorched todeath.”Doesthemansupposethatthesunwillbeamillionmilesnearer,and,therefore,weshallbescorchedtodeath?Hesays,“Ifthesunwereamillionmiles farther off we should be frozen to death.” Does hemeanthatthesunwillbeamillionmilesfartheroff,andthereforeweshallbefrozen todeath?Not at all.Yet it is quite a rationalwayof speaking toshowushowgratefulweshouldbetoGod.SosaystheApostle.Christian—ifyoushouldfallaway,youcouldneverbereneweduntorepentance—then,byHisgrace,Hekeepsyou—

“Seeastonethathangsinair,seeasparkinoceanlive:

Keptalivewithdeathsonear,ItoGodtheglorygive.”

Thereisacupofsinwhichwoulddamnyoursoul,OChristian.Oh,whatgrace is thatwhichholds yourarmandwillnot let youdrink it?Thereyou are, at this hour, like the bird-catcher of St. Kilda—you are beingdrawntoHeavenbyasinglerope—ifthathandwhichholdsyouletyougo,ifthatropewhichgraspsyoubreaks—youaredashedontherocksofdamnation.LiftupyourhearttoGod,then,andblessHimthatHisarmisnotweariedand isnever shortened that it cannot save.LordKenmure,when he was dying, said to Rutherford, “Man!My name is written onChrist’shandandI see it!That isbold talk,Man,butIsee it!”Then, ifthatisthecase,HishandmustbeseveredfromHisbodybeforemynamecanbetakenfromHim.AndifitisengravedonHisheart,Hisheartmust

berentoutbeforetheycanrendmynameout.

Holdon, thenand trust,Believer!Youhaveananchor of the soul bothsureandsteadfast,whichenterswithintheveil—thewindsarebellowing,the tempestshowling—should the cable slip, or your anchor break, youarelost.Seethoserocksonwhichmyriadsaredriving?—Youarewreckedthere if grace leaves you. See those depths in which the skeletons ofsailors sleep?—You are there if that anchor fails you. It would beimpossibletomooryouagain,ifoncethatanchorbroke,fortherearenootheranchors.Therecanbenoothersalvation—ifthatonefailsyou,itisimpossiblethatyouevershouldbesaved.ThereforethankGodthatyouhaveanAnchorthatcannotfailandthenloudlysing—

“HowcanIsinkwithsuchaprop,

AsmyeternalGod

Whobearstheearth’shugepillarsup,

Andspreadstheheavensabroad?

HowcanIdie,whenJesuslives

Whoroseandleftthedead?

Pardonandgracemysoulreceives

FrommyexaltedHead.”

TheDoctrinesofGraceDoNotLeadtoSin

“Forsinshallnothavedominionoveryou:foryouarenotundertheLaw,butunderGrace.Whatthen?Shallwesin,becausewearenotundertheLaw,butunderGrace?Godforbid.”–Romans6:14,15.

LASTSabbathmorningItriedtoshowthatthesubstanceandessenceofthe trueGospel is theDoctrine ofGod’sGrace [AGospelWorthDyingFor—No.1734,Volume29]—that, in fact, if you takeaway theGraceof

God from theGospel youhave extracted from it its very life-blood andthere is nothing left worth preaching, worth believing, or worthcontendingfor.Grace is thesoulof theGospel—without it theGospel isdead.GraceisthemusicoftheGospel—withoutittheGospelissilentastoallcomfort.IalsoendeavoredtosetforththeDoctrineofGraceinbriefterms,teachingthatGoddealswithsinfulmenuponthefootingofpuremercy— finding them guilty and condemned, He gives free pardons,altogetherirrespectiveofpastcharacter,orofanygoodworkswhichmaybeforeseen.Movedonlybypity,Hedevisesaplanfortheirrescuefromsinanditsconsequences—aplaninwhichGraceistheleadingfeature.

Out of free favor He has provided, in the death of His dear Son, anatonement by means of which His mercy can be justly bestowed. Heacceptsall thosewhoplacetheirtrust inthisAtonement,selectingfaithasthewayofsalvation,thatitmaybeallofGrace.InthisHeacts,fromamotivefoundwithinHimself,andnotbecauseofanyreasonfoundinthesinner’sconduct—past,present,orfuture.ItriedtoshowthatthisGraceof God flows towards the sinner from of old and begins its operationsuponhimwhenthereisnothinggoodinhim—itworksinhimthatwhichisgoodandacceptable—andcontinuessotoworkinhimtillthedeedofGraceiscompleteandtheBelieverisreceivedupintothegloryforwhichheismademeet.

Gracecommencestosaveanditperseverestillall isdone.Fromfirsttolast, from the “A” to the “Z” of the heavenly alphabet, everything insalvation is of Grace and Grace alone! All is of free favor, nothing ofmerit.“ByGraceareyousavedthroughfaith;andthatnotofyourselves;itisthegiftofGod.”“Sothenitisnotofhimthatwills,norofhimthatruns,butofGodthatshowsmercy.”Nosooneristhisdoctrinesetforthina clear light than men begin to quibble with it. It is the target for allcarnallogictoshootat.Unrenewedmindsnever likeditandtheyneverwill—it is toohumbling tohumanpride,making light of thenobility ofhuman nature. That men are to be saved by Divine charity; that theymust,ascondemnedcriminals,receivepardonbytheexerciseoftheroyalprerogative or else perish in their sins is a teachingwhich they cannotendure!

Godaloneisexalted inthesovereigntyofHismercy—thesinnercando

no better than meekly touch the silver scepter and accept undeservedfavor justbecauseGodwills to give it!This isnotpleasant to thegreatminds of our philosophers and the broad phylacteries of ourmoralistsand, therefore, they turn aside and fight against the empire of Grace.Straightway the unrenewedman seeks out artillerywithwhich to fightagainst theGospelof theGraceofGod!Andoneof thebiggestgunshehaseverbroughttothefrontisthedeclarationthattheDoctrinesoftheGrace of God must lead to licentiousness! If great sinners are freelysaved, thenmenwillmore readily become great sinners—and if, whenGod’sGrace regeneratesaman, it abideswithhim, thenmenwill inferthattheymayliveastheylikeandyetbesaved.

ThisistheconstantlyrepeatedobjectionwhichIhaveheardtillitweariesmewithitsvainandfalsenoise.Iamalmostashamedtohavetorefutesorottenanargument!TheydaretoassertthatmenwilltakelicensetobeguiltybecauseGodisgracious!Andtheydonothesitatetosaythatifmenarenottobesavedbytheirworks,theywillcometotheconclusionthattheirconductisamatterofindifferenceandthattheymayaswellsinthatGracemayabound!ThismorningIwanttotalkalittleaboutthisnotion,forinpartitisagreatmistakeandinpartitisagreatlie.Inpartitisamistake because it arises from misconception. And in part it is a liebecausemenknowbetter,ormightknowbetteriftheypleased.

Ibeginbyadmittingthatthechargedoesappearsomewhatprobable.Itdoesseemvery likely that ifweare togoupanddown thecountryandsay,“TheverychiefofsinnersmaybeforgiventhroughbelievinginJesusChrist,forGodisdisplayingmercytotheveryvilestofthevile,”thensinwill seem tobe a cheap thing. Ifwe are everywhere to cry, “Come, yousinners, come and welcome, and receive free and immediate pardonthrough the SovereignGrace ofGod,” it does seemprobable that somemay basely reply, “Let us sinwithout ceasing, for we can easily obtainforgiveness.” But that which looks to be probable is not, therefore,certain!On the contrary, the improbable and the unexpected full oftencometopass.Inquestionsofmoralinfluence,nothingismoredeceptivethantheory.Thewaysofthehumanmindarenottobelaiddownwithapencilandcompasses—manisasingularbeing.

Even thatwhich is logical isnot always inevitable, formen’sminds are

not governed by the rules of the schools. I believe that the inferencewhichwouldleadmentosinbecauseGracereignsisnotlogical,buttheveryre-verse—andIventuretoassert that,asamatterof fact,ungodlymendonot,asarule,pleadtheGraceofGodasanexcusefortheirsin!Asaruletheyaretooindifferenttocareaboutreasonsatall!Andiftheydoofferanexcuse,itisusuallymoreflimsyandsuperficial.Theremaybeafewmenofperversemindswhohaveusedthisargument,butthereisno accounting for the freaks of the fallen understanding. I shrewdlysuspectthatinanycasesinwhichsuchreasoninghasbeenputforward,itwasamerepretenseandbynomeansapleawhichsatisfiedthesinner’sownconscience.

Ifmendoexcuse themselves, it isgenerally in someveiledmanner, forthemostofthemwouldbeutterlyashamedtostatetheargumentinplainterms. I question whether the devil himself would be found reasoningthus—“Godismerciful,thereforeletusbemoresinful.”ItissodiabolicalaninferencethatIdonotliketochargemyfellowmenwithit,thoughourmoralistopposersdonothesitatethustodegradethemselves!Surely,nointelligentbeingcanreallypersuadeitselfthatthegoodnessofGodisareason for offending Him more than ever! Moral insanity producesstrangereasoning,butitismysolemnconvictionthatveryrarelydomenpracticallyconsidertheGraceofGodtobeamotiveforsin.Thatwhichseemssoprobableatthefirstblushisnotsowhenwecometoconsiderit.

Ihaveadmittedthata fewhumanbeingshaveturnedtheGraceofGodintolasciviousness,butItrustnoonewilleverargueagainstanydoctrineonaccountoftheperverseusemadeofitbythebasersort.CannoteveryTruthofGodbeperverted?IsthereasingledoctrineofScripturewhichgraceless hands have not twisted intomischief? Is there not an almostinfiniteingenuityinwickedmenformakingeviloutofgood?IfwearetocondemnaTruthbecauseofthemisbehaviorofindividualswhoprofesstobelieveit,wewouldbefoundcondemningourLord,Himself,forwhatJudas did—and our holy faithwould die at the hands of apostates andhypocrites!

Letusactlikerationalmen.Wedonotfindfaultwithropesbecausepoorinsanecreatureshavehangedthemselveswiththem!Nordoweaskthatthe wares of Sheffield may be destroyed because edged tools are the

murderer’sinstruments.ItmayappearprobablethattheDoctrineofFreeGracewillbemadeintoalicenseforsin,butabetteracquaintancewiththe curious working of the humanmind corrects the notion. Fallen ashumannatureis,itisstillhumanand,therefore,doesnottakekindlytocertain forms of evil—such, for instance, as inhuman ingratitude. It ishardlyhuman tomultiply injuriesupon thosewho returnus continuedbenefits.

The case remindsme of the story of half-a-dozen boyswho had severefathers, accustomed to flogging them within an inch of their lives.Anotherboywaswiththemwhowastenderlybelovedbyhisparentsandknowntobeso.Theseyounggentlemenmettogethertoholdacouncilofwar about robbing an orchard. They were, all of them, anxious to getabout it except the favored youthwhodidnot agreewith theproposal.Oneofthemcriedout,“Youneednotbeafraid!Ifourfatherscatchusatthiswork,weshallbehalf-killed,butyourfatherwon’tlayahanduponyou.” The little boy answered, “And do you think becausemy father iskind to me, that therefore I will do wrong and grieve him? I will donothingofthesorttomydearfather!HeissogoodtomethatIcannotvexhim.”

It would appear that the argument of the many boys was notoverpoweringlyconvincing to theircompanion—theoppositeconclusionwasquiteaslogicalandevidentlycarriedweightwithit.IfGodisgoodtothe undeserving, some men will go into sin, but there are others of anoblerorderwhomthegoodnessofGodleadstorepentance.Theyscornthebeast-likeargumentthatthemorelovingGodis,themorerebelliouswemaybe—andtheyfeelthatagainsttheGodofGoodness it isanevilthing to rebel. By the way, I cannot help observing that I have knownpersonsobjecttotheevilinfluenceoftheDoctrinesofGracewhowerebynomeans qualified, by their ownmorality, to be judges of the subject!Morals must be in a poor way when immoral persons become theirguardians!

The doctrine of Justification by Faith is frequently objected to asinjurious tomorals. A newspaper, some time ago, quoted a verse fromoneofourpopularhymns—

Weary,working,ploddingone,

Whytoilyouso?

Ceaseyourdoing;allwasdone

Long,longago!

’TilltoJesus’workyoucling

Byasimplefaith,

Doing’isadeadlything,

Doing’endsindeath.”

Thisisstyledmischievousteaching!WhenIreadthearticle,IfeltadeepinterestinthiscorrectorofLutherandPaul,andIwonderedhowmuchhehaddrunkinordertoelevatehismindtosuchapitchof theologicalknowledge!IhavefoundmenpleadingagainsttheDoctrinesofGraceonthe ground that they did not promotemorality, to whom I could havejustlyreplied,“Whathasmoralitytodowithyou,oryouwithit?”Thesesticklersforgoodworksarenotoftenthedoersofthem!Letlegalistslookto theirownhandsand tongues—and leave theGospelofGraceand itsadvocatestoanswerforthemselves!

Looking back in history, I see upon its pages a refutation of the oft-repeatedcalumny.WhodarestosuggestthatthemenwhobelievedintheGraceofGodhavebeensinnersaboveothersinners?Withalltheirfaults,thosewhothrowstonesatthemwillbefewiftheyfirstprovethemselvesto be their superiors in character, when have they been the patrons ofvice,orthedefendersofinjustice?PitchuponthepointinEnglishhistorywhenthisdoctrinewasverystrong in the land—whowere thementhatheld these doctrines most firmly? Men like Owen, Charnock, Manton,Howe!AndIhesitatenottoaddOliverCromwell!Whatkindofmenwerethese?Didtheypandertothelicentiousnessofacourt?DidtheyinventaBook of Sports for Sabbath Diversion? Did they haunt ale-houses andplacesofrevelry?

Everyhistorianwilltellyouthegreatestfaultofthesemen,intheeyesoftheirenemies,wasthattheyweretoopreciseforthegenerationinwhichtheylived—sotheycalledthemPuritansandcondemnedthemasholdingagloomy theology!Sirs, if therewas iniquity in the land in thatday, itwastobefoundwiththetheologicalpartywhichpreachedupsalvationbyworks! The gentlemen with their womanish locks and perfumed hair,whose speech savored of profanity, were the advocates of salvation byworksand,allbedabbledwithlust,theypleadedforhumanmerit!

ButthemenwhobelievedinGracealonewereofanotherstyle.Theywerenotinthechambersofriotingandwantonness!Wherewerethey?TheymightbefoundontheirkneescryingtoGodforhelpintemptationandinpersecutingtimestheymightbefoundinprison,cheerfullysufferingtheloss of all things for the Truth of God’s sake! The Puritans were thegodliest men on the face of the earth! Are men so inconsistent as tonickname them for their purity and yet say that their doctrines lead tosin? Nor is this a solitary instance—this instance of Puritanism—allhistory confirms the rule and when it is said that these doctrines willcreatesin,Iappealtofacts,andleavetheoracletoanswerasitmay.Ifweare ever to see a pure and godly England, we must have a gospelizedEngland!Ifwearetoputdowndrunkennessandthesocialevil, itmustbebytheproclamationoftheGraceofGod!

MenmustbeforgivenbytheGraceofGod,renewedbytheGraceofGod,transformed by the Grace of God, sanctified by the Grace of God andpreservedbytheGraceofGod!Andwhenthatcomestopass,thegoldenagewilldawn!Butwhiletheyaremerelytaughttheirdutyandlefttodoitof themselves in their own strength, it is labor in vain! Youmay flog adeadhorsealongwhilebeforeitwillstir—youneedtoputlifeintoit,orelseallyourfloggingwill fail.Toteachmentowalkwhohavenofeet ispoorwork—andsoisinstructioninmoralsbeforeGracegivesahearttoloveholiness!TheGospel,alone,suppliesmenwithmotiveandstrengthand,therefore,itistotheGospelthatwemustlookastherealreformerofmen!

I shall fight, this morning, with the objection before us as I shall findstrength.TheDoctrinesofGrace,thewholeplanofsalvationbyGrace,ismostpromotiveofholiness.Wherever itcomes, ithelpsustosay,“God

forbid,”tothequestion,“Shallwesin,becausewearenotundertheLaw,butunderGrace?”ThisIwouldsetoutintheclearsunlight.Iwishtocallyourattentiontosomesixorsevenpoints.

I.First, youwill see that theGospelof theGraceofGodpromotes realholiness in men by remembering that THE SALVATION WHICH ITBRINGSISSALVATIONFROMTHEPOWEROFSIN.Whenwepreachsalvation to the vilest of men, some suppose we mean by that a meredeliverance fromHell andan entrance intoHeaven. It includes all thatand results in that, but that is not what we mean! What we mean bysalvationisthis—deliverancefromtheloveofsin,rescuefromthehabitofsin,settingfreefromthedesiretosin.Nowlisten.Ifitisso,thatthatgiftofdeliverance fromsin is thegiftofDivineGrace, inwhatwaywillthatgift,orthefreedistributionofit,producesin?Ifailtoseeanysuchdanger. On the contrary, I say to the man who proclaims a graciouspromiseofvictoryoversin,“Makeallspeed—goupanddownthroughouttheworldandtellthevilestofmankindthatGodiswilling,byHisGrace,tosetthemfreefromtheloveofsinandtomakenewcreaturesofthem.”

Suppose the salvation we preach is this—”You that have lived ungodlyandwicked livesmayenjoyyoursinsandyetescapethepenalty”?Thatwouldbemischievous, indeed!But if it is this—“You that live themostungodly and wicked lives may yet, by believing in the Lord Jesus, beenabled tochange those livesso thatyoushall liveuntoGod insteadofserving sin and Satan”?—what harm can come to the most prudishmorals?Why,IsayspreadsuchaGospelandletitcirculatethrougheverypart of our vast empire! Let all men hear it, whether they rule in theHouseofLordsorsufferinthehouseofbondage!TellthemeverywherethatGodfreelyandofinfiniteGraceiswillingtorenewmenandwomenandmakethemnewcreaturesinChristJesus!Cananyevilconsequencescome of the freest proclamation of this news? The worsemen are, themoregladlywouldwe see themembracing thisTruth ofGod, for thesearetheywhomostneedit!

I say to every one of you, whoever you may be, whatever your pastcondition—God can renew you according to the power ofHisGrace sothatyouwhoaretoHimlikedead,drybones,canbemadetolivebyHisSpirit! That renewal will be seen in holy thoughts, pure words and

righteousactstothegloryofGod.IngreatloveHeispreparedtoworkallthesethingsinallwhobelieve.Whyshouldanymanbeangryatsuchastatement?Whatpossibleharmcancomeofit?Idefythemostcunningadversarytoobject,uponthegroundofmorals,toGod’sgivingmennewheartsandrightspiritsevenasHepleases!

II. Secondly, let it not be forgotten as a matter of fact that THEPRINCIPLEOFLOVEHASBEENFOUNDTOPOSSESSVERYGREATPOWEROVERMEN.Intheinfancyofhistory,nationsdreamthatcrimecanbeputdownbyseverityandtheyrelyuponfiercepunishments—butexperiencecorrectstheerror.Ourforefathersdreadedforgery,whichisatroublesomefraudthatinterfereswiththeconfidencewhichshouldexistbetween man and man. To put it down, they made forgery a capitaloffense.Alasforthemurderscommittedbythatlaw!Yettheconstantuseofthegallowswasneversufficienttostampoutthecrime.Manyoffenseshave been created and multiplied by the penalty which was meant tosuppressthem.

Some offenses have almost ceased when the penalty against them hasbeenlightened.Itisanotablefactastomenthatiftheyareforbiddentodoathing,theystraightwaypinetodoit,thoughtheyhadneverthoughtofdoingitbefore!Lawcommandsobedience,butdoesnotpromoteit—itoften creates disobedience—and an over-weighted penalty has beenknowntoprovokeanoffense.Lawfails,butlovewins!Loveinanycasemakessin infamous. Ifone should robanother, itwouldbe sufficientlybad. But suppose a man robbed his friend who had helped him oftenwhen he was in need? Everyone would say that his crime was mostdisgraceful.Lovebrandssinontheforeheadwithared-hotiron.Ifamanshould kill an enemy, the offensewould be grievous, but if he slew hisfather,towhomheoweshislife,orhismother,onwhosebreastshewasnursedininfancy,thenallwouldcryoutagainstthemonster!Inthelightoflove,sinisseentobeexceedinglysinful.

Noristhisall.Lovehasagreatconstrainingpowertowardsthehighestform of virtue. Deeds to which a man could not be compelled on theground of law, men have cheerfully done because of love. Would ourbrave seamenman the lifeboat to obey anAct of Parliament?No, theywouldindignantlyrevoltagainstbeingforcedtorisktheirlives!Butthey

will do it freely to save their fellow men. Remember that text of theApostle, “Scarcely fora righteous (ormerely just)manwillonedie: yetperhaps,”sayshe,“foragood(benevolent)mansomewouldevendaretodie.”Goodnesswins theheart and one is ready to die for the kind andgenerous!Lookhowmenhavethrownawaytheirlivesforgreatleaders.That was an immortal saying of the wounded French soldier. Whensearchingforthebulletthesurgeoncutdeeplyandthepatientcriedout,“A little lower and you will touch the Emperor,” meaning that theEmperor’snamewaswrittenonhisheart!

Inseveralnotable instances,menhavethrownthemselves into the jawsofdeathtosavealeaderwhomtheyloved.Dutyholdsthefort,butlovecasts its body in the way of the deadly bullet! Who would think ofsacrificinghislifeonthegroundoflaw?Lovealonecountsnotlifesodearas the serviceof theBeloved!Love to Jesus creates aheroismofwhichlawknowsnothing.All thehistoryof theChurchofChrist,when ithasbeen true to itsLord, isaproofof this.Kindness,also,workingby thelawof love, has often changed themost unworthy and therein provedthatitisnotafactorofevil.Wehaveoftenheardthestoryofthesoldierwhohadbeenreducedtothe lowestrank, floggedandimprisoned—andyetforallthathewouldgetdrunkandmisbehavehimself.

The commanding officer said, one day, “I have tried almost everythingwith thismanandcandonothingwithhim. Iwill tryonemore thing.”Whenhewasbroughtin,theofficeraddressedhimandsaid,“Youseemincorrigible—we have tried everything with you—there seems to be nohope of a change in your wicked conduct. I am determined to see ifanotherplanwillhaveanyeffect.Thoughyoudeservefloggingandlongimprisonment,Ishallfreelyforgiveyou.”Themanwasgreatlymovedbytheunexpectedandundeservedpardon—andbecameagoodsoldier.Thestorywearstruthonitsbrow—weallseethat itwouldprobablyendso!ThatanecdoteissuchagoodargumentthatIwillgiveyouanother.

Adrunkardwokeuponemorningfromhisdrunkensleepwithhisclothesonhimjustashehadrolleddownthenightbefore.Hesawhisonlychild,hisdaughter,Millie,gettinghisbreakfast.Comingtohissenses,hesaidtoher, “Millie,whydoyou staywithme?”Sheanswered, “Becauseyouaremy father, and because I love you.” He looked at himself and saw

what a sottish, ragged, good-for-nothing creature he was, and heanswered her, “Millie, do you really love me?” The child cried, “Yes,father, I do, and I will never leave you because whenmother died shesaid,‘Millie,sticktoyourfatherandalwaysprayforhim,andoneofthesedayshewillgiveupdrinkingandbeagoodfathertoyou’—soIwillneverleaveyou.”

Is itwonderfulwhen I add that, as the story has it,Millie’s father castawayhisdrink andbecameaChristianman? Itwould have beenmoreremarkable if he had not! Millie was trying Free Grace, was she not?According to our moralists she should have said, “Father, you are ahorriblewretch!Ihavestucktoyoulongenough!Imustnowleaveyou,or else I shall be encouraging other fathers to get drunk.” Under suchproperdealingIfearMillie’sfatherwouldhavecontinuedadrunkardtillhedrankhimself intoHell.Butthepowerof lovemadeabettermanofhim. Do not these instances prove that undeserved love has a greatinfluenceforgood?

Hearanother story—In theoldpersecuting times, there lived inCheap-sideonewhofearedGodandattendedthesecretmeetingsofthesaints.Andnearhimtheredweltapoorcobblerwhoseneedswereoftenrelievedbythemerchant.Butthepoormanwasacross-grainedbeingand,mostungratefully, fromhopeof reward, laid an informationagainsthis kindfriendon the scoreof religion.This accusationwouldhavebrought themerchant to death by burning if he had not found ameans of escape.Returning to his house, the injured man did not change his generousbehaviortothemalignantcobbler,but,onthecontrary,wasmoreliberalthanever!Thecobblerwas,however,inanillmoodandavoidedthegoodmanwithallhismight,runningawayathisapproach.

OnedayhewasobligedtomeethimfacetofaceandtheChristianmanaskedhim,gently,“Whydoyoushunme?Iamnotyourenemy.Iknowall that youdid to injureme,but Ineverhadanangry thoughtagainstyou.IhavehelpedyouandIamwillingtodosoaslongasIlive,onlyletus be friends.” Do you marvel that they clasped hands? Would youwonderif,beforelong,thepoormanwasfoundattheLollards’meeting?All such anecdotes rest upon the assured fact thatGrace has a strangesubduingpowerandleadsmentogoodness—drawingthemwithcordsof

loveandbandsofman!TheLordknowsthatbadasmenare,thekeyoftheir hearts hangs on the nail of love. He knows that His almightygoodness,thoughoftenbaffled,willtriumphintheend!

Ibelievemypoint isproved.Tomyself it is so.However,wemustpasson.

III. There is no fear that the Doctrines of Grace will leadmen to sin,because THEIR OPERATIONS ARE CONNECTED WITH A SPECIALREVELATIONOFTHEEVILOFSIN.Iniquityismadetobeexceedinglybitterbeforeitisforgivenorwhenitisforgiven.WhenGodbeginstodealwithamanwithaviewofblottingouthissinsandmakinghimHischild,Heusually causes him to see his evilways in all their heinousness.Hemakeshimlookonsinwithfixedeyes,tillhecrieswithDavid,“Mysinisever before me!” In my own case, when under conviction of sin, nocheering objectmetmymental eye—my soul saw only darkness and ahorribletempest.Itseemedasthoughahorriblespotwerepaintedonmyeyeballs!

Guilt, like a grim chamberlain, drew the curtains of my bed, so that Irestednot,butinmyslumbersanticipatedthewrathtocome.IfeltthatIhadoffendedGodandthatthiswasthemostawfulthingahumanbeingcould do. I was out of order with my Creator, out of order with theuniverse—Ihaddamnedmyself forever—and Iwondered that I didnotimmediately feel thegnawingof theundyingworm.Evento thishourasightofsincausesthemostdreadfulemotionsinmyheart.Anymanorwomanherewhohaspassedthroughthatexperience,oranythinglikeit,willalwaysfeeladeephorrorofsin.Aburntchilddreadsthefire.“No,”saysthesinnertohistempter,“youoncedeceivedmeandIsosmartedinconsequence,butIwillnotagainbedeluded.Ihavebeendelivered,likeabrandfromtheburning,andIcannotgobacktothefire.”

By theoperationsofGracewearemadewearyof sin;we loatheboth itanditsimaginarypleasures.Wewouldutterlyexterminateitfromthesoilofournature.Itisathingaccursed,evenasAmalekwastoIsrael.Ifyou,myFriend,donotdetesteverysinfulthing,Ifearyouarestillinthegallofbitterness, foroneof thesure fruitsof theSpirit isa loveofholinessanda loathingofevery falseway.Adeep inwardexperience forbids the

child ofGod to sin—he has knownwithin himself its judgment and itscondemnationand,therefore, it is a thingabhorrent tohim.Anenmityboth fierceandendless existsbetween the chosen seedand the serpentbroodofevil—thereforethefearthatGracewillbeabusedisabundantlysafeguarded.

IV.Remember,also,thatnotonlyistheforgivenmanthussetagainstsinby theprocess of conviction, butEVERYMANWHOTASTESOFTHESAVING GRACE OF GOD IS MADE A NEW CREATURE IN CHRISTJESUS.Now if theDoctrinesofGrace in thehandsofanordinarymanmight bedangerous, yet theywould cease to be so in thehands of onewhoisquickenedbytheSpiritandcreatedanewintheimageofGod.TheHoly Spirit comes upon the chosen one and transforms him—hisignorance is removed, his affections are changed, his understanding isenlightened,hiswillissubdued,hisdesiresarerefined,hislifeischanged—in fact, he is as onenew-born, towhomall things have becomenew.ThischangeiscomparedinScripturetotheresurrectionfromthedead,toacreationandtoanewbirth.

ThistakesplaceineverymanwhobecomesapartakeroftheFreeGraceofGod.“Youmustbebornagain,”saidChristtoNicodemus,andgraciousmenare born again! One said the other day, “If I believed that I waseternallysaved,Ishouldliveinsin.”Perhapsyouwould—butifyouwererenewedinheartyouwouldnot!“But,”saysone,“ifIbelievedGodlovedmefrombeforethefoundationoftheworldandthat, therefore,Iwouldbe saved, I would take a full swing in sin.” Perhapsyou and the devilwould, but God’s regenerate children are not of so base a nature! Tothem,theaboundingGraceoftheFatherisabondtorighteousnesswhichthey never think of breaking—they feel the sweet constraints of sacredgratitudeanddesiretoperfectholinessinthefearoftheLord.

Allbeingsliveaccordingtotheirnatureandtheregeneratedmanworksouttheholyinstinctsofhisrenewedmind!Cryingafterholiness,warringagainst sin, laboring to be pure in all things, the regenerateman putsforthallhisstrengthtowardsthatwhichispureandperfect.Anewheartmakesallthedifference!Givenanewnature,allthepropensitiesruninadifferentway,andtheblessingsofalmightylovenolongerinvolveperil,butsuggesttheloftiestaspirations!

V.OneofthechiefsecuritiesfortheholinessofthepardonedisfoundinthewayofCLEANSINGTHROUGHATONEMENT.Thebloodof Jesussanctifiesaswellaspardons.Thesinnerlearnsthathisfreepardoncostthe lifeofhisbestFriendand, inorder tohis salvation theSonofGod,Himself,agonizedeventoabloodysweatanddiedforsakenofHisGod.ThiscausesasacredmourningforsinashelooksupontheLordwhomhepierced.LovetoJesusburnswithinthepardonedsinner’sbreast,fortheLord is his Redeemer and, therefore, he feels a burning indignationagainstthemurderousevilofsin.TohimallmannerofevilisdetestablesinceitisstainedwiththeSavior’sblood.

As the penitent sinner hears the cry of, “Eloi, Sabachthani!” he ishorrified to think that One so pure and good should be forsaken ofHeavenbecauseofthesinwhichHeboreinHispeople’splace.Fromthedeath of Jesus the mind draws the conclusion that sin is exceedinglysinfulinthesightoftheLord—forifeternaljusticewouldnotspareeventhewell-belovedJesuswhenimputedsinwasuponHim,howmuchlesswill it spare guiltymen? Itmust be an unutterably thing full of poisonwhichcouldmakeeventheImmaculateJesussuffersoterribly!

Nothing can be imagined which can have greater power over graciousminds than the vision of a crucified Savior denouncing sin by all Hiswounds—andbyeveryfallingdropofblood.What?Liveinthesinwhichslew Jesus? Find pleasure in thatwhichworkedHis death? TriflewiththatwhichlaidHisGloryinthedust?Impossible!ThusyouseethatthegiftsofFreeGrace,whenhandeddownbyapiercedhand,areneverlikelytosuggestself-indulgenceinsin,buttheveryreverse.

VI.Sixthly,amanwhobecomesapartakerofDivineGraceandreceivesthe new nature is ever afterwards A PARTAKER OF DAILY HELPSFROMGOD’SHOLYSPIRIT.GodtheHolySpiritdeignstodwellinthebosom of everymanwhomGod has saved byHis Grace. Is not that awonderfulmeansofsanctifying?Bywhatprocesscanmenbebetterkeptfrom sin than by having theHoly Spirit,Himself, dwell asVice-Regentwithintheirhearts?TheEver-BlessedSpiritleadsBelieverstobemuchinprayer—and what a power for holiness is found in the child of GracespeakingtotheheavenlyFather!Thetemptedmanfliestohischamber,

unloadshisgriefonGod, looks to the flowingwoundsofhisRedeemerandcomesdownstrongtoresisttemptation.

TheDivineWord,also,withitspreceptsandpromises,isanever-failingsource of sanctification. Were it not that we, every day, bathe in thesacredfountainofeternalstrength,wemightsoonbeweakandirresolute—but fellowshipwithGod renewsus in our vigorouswarfarewith sin.How is itpossible that theDoctrinesofGracecould suggest sin tomenwho constantly draw near to God? The renewedman is also, by God’sSpirit, frequentlyquickened inconscience, so that thingswhich,before,did not strike him as sinful, are seen in a clearer light and are,consequently,condemned.Iknowthatcertainmattersare sinful tome,today,whichdidnotappearso10yearsago—my judgmenthas, I trust,beenmoreandmoreclearedoftheblindnessofsin.

Thenatural conscience is callousandhard,but thegraciousconsciencegrowsmoreandmoretendertill,atlast,itbecomesassensitiveasarawwound.HewhohasmostGrace ismost conscious of his need ofmoreGrace. The gracious are often afraid to put one foot before another forfearofdoingwrong.Haveyounotfeltthisholyfear,thissacredcaution?It isby thismeans that theHolySpiritprevents yourever turningyourChristianlibertyintolicentiousness,ordaringtomaketheGraceofGodanargumentforfolly!Then,inadditiontothis,thegoodSpirit leadsusintohighandhallowedcommunionwithGod—andIdefyanymantoliveuponthemountwithGodandthencomedowntotransgresslikemenoftheworld!IfyouhavewalkedthepalacefloorofGloryandseentheKinginHis beauty, till the light ofHis Countenance has been yourHeaven,you cannot be content with the gloom and murkiness of the tents ofwickedness!

To lie, to deceive, to feign, as themen of the world do, will no longerbecomeyou.Youareofanotherraceandyourconversationisabovethem— “Your speech betrays you.” If you do, indeed, dwell with God, theperfumeof the ivorypalaceswill be about youandmenwill know thatyouhavebeeninotherhauntsthantheirs.IfthechildofGodgoeswronginanydegree,heloses,tosomeextent,thesweetnessofhiscommunionandonlyashewalkscarefullywithGoddoesheenjoyfullfellowshipsothat this rising or falling in communion becomes a sort of parental

disciplineinthehouseoftheLord.Wehavenocourtwithajudge,butwehave home with its fatherhood, its smile and its rod! We lack not fororder in the family of love, for our Father deals with us as with sons.Thus,inathousandways,alldangerofourpresumingupontheGraceofGodiseffectuallyremoved.

VII. THE ENTIRE ELEVATION OF THE MAN WHO IS MADE APARTAKER OF THE GRACE OF GOD is also a special preservativeagainstsin.Iventuretosay,thoughitmaybecontroverted,thatthemanwho believes the glorious Doctrines of Grace is usually a much higherstyleofmanthanthepersonwhohasnoopinionuponthematter.Whatdomostmenthinkabout?Breadandbutter,houserentandclothes.Butthe men who consider the Doctrines of the Gospel muse upon theEverlasting Covenant, predestination, immutable love, effectual calling,God in Christ Jesus, thework of the Spirit, justification, sanctification,adoptionandsuchnoblethemes!Why,itisarefreshmentmerelytolookoverthecatalogofthesegrandTruthsofGod!

Othersareaschildrenplayingwithlittlesandheapsontheseashore.ButtheBelieverinFreeGracewalksamonghillsandmountains!Thethemesof thought aroundhim tower upward,Alps onAlps! Theman’smentalstature riseswithhis surroundingsandhebecomes a thoughtful being,communingwithsublimities.Thisisnosmallmatter,forathingsoapttogrovel as theaveragehuman intellect!So farasdeliverance frommeanvices and degrading lustsmust in this way be promoted, I say it is nosmallthing!Thoughtlessnessistheprolificmotherofsin!ItisahopefulsignwhenmindsbegintoroamamongloftyTruthsofGod.

ThemanwhohasbeentaughtofGodtothink,willnotsoreadilysinasthe being whose mind is buried beneath his flesh. The man has nowobtainedadifferentviewofhimselffromthatwhichledhimtotrifleawayhis timewith the idea that therewasnothingbetter for him than to bemerrywhilehecould.Hesays,“IamoneofGod’schosen,ordainedtobeHisson,Hisheir,joint-heirwithJesusChrist!Iamsetaparttobeakingand priest unto God and as such I cannot be godless, nor live for thecommon objectives of life.”He rises in the objective of his pursuit—hecannotliveuntohimself,forheisnothisown—heisboughtwithaprice.NowhedwellsinthePresenceofGodandlifetohimisreal,earnestand

sublime!Hecaresnottoscrapetogethergoldwiththemuck-rakeofthecovetous,forheisimmortalandmustseeketernalgains.

He feels that he is born forDivinepurposes and enquires, “Lord,whatwouldYouhavemetodo?”HefeelsthatGodhas lovedhimsothathislovemayflowforthtoothers.God’schoiceofanyonemanhasabearinguponalltherest—HeelectsaJosephthatawholefamily,awholenation,no,thewholeworld,maybepreservedalivewhenfaminehadbrokenthestaffofbread.Weare,eachone,asalampkindledthatwemayshineinthedarkandlightupotherlamps.NewhopescomecrowdingonthemanwhoissavedbyGrace.Hisimmortalspiritenjoysglimpsesoftheendless.AsGodhas lovedhim in time,hebelieves that the same lovewillblesshimineternity.HeknowsthathisRedeemerlivesandthat inthelatterdaysheshallbeholdHimand,therefore,hehasnofearofthefuture.

Evenwhileherebelowhebeginstosingthesongsof theangels, forhisspiritspies fromafar thedawnof theGlorywhich isyet toberevealed!Thus with joyous heart and light footsteps he goes forward to theunknownfutureasmerrilyastoaweddingfeast!Isthereasinnerhere,aguiltysinner,onewhohasnomerit,noclaimtomercywhatever?Isthereonewilling tobe savedbyGod’sFreeGrace throughbelieving in JesusChrist?Then letme tell you,Sinner, there isnot aword inGod’sBookagainstyou,notalineorsyllable,buteverythingisinyourfavor!“Thisisa faithful saying, andworthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus cameintotheworldtosavesinners,”eventhechief!Jesuscameintotheworldtosaveyou!OnlytrustHimandrestinHim!

IwilltellyouwhatoughttofetchyoutoChristatonce—itisthethoughtofHisamazinglove!Aprofligatesonhadbeenagreatgrieftohisfather.Hehadrobbedhimanddisgracedhimand,atlast,heendedbybringinghisgrayhairswithsorrowtothegrave.Hewasahorriblewretchofason—no one could have been more graceless! However, he attended hisfather’s funeral andhe stayed to hear thewill read. Perhaps itwas thechief reasonwhyhewas there.Hehad fullymadeuphismind thathisfatherwould cuthimoffwith a shilling—andhemeant tomake it veryunpleasant for the rest of the family. Tohis great astonishment, as thewillwasread,itransomethinglikethis—“Asformyson,Richard,thoughhehas fearfullywastedmy substance; and thoughhehas often grieved

myheart,IwouldhavehimknowthatIconsiderhimtostillbemyowndear child and, therefore, in tokenofmyundying love, I leavehim thesameshareastherestofhisbrothers.”

Helefttheroom.Hecouldnotstandit.Thesurprisingloveofhisfatherhadmasteredhim!Hecamedowntotheexecutorthenextmorningandsaid, “You surely did not read correctly?” “Yes I did. there it stands.”“Then,”hesaid,“IfeelreadytocursemyselfthatIevergrievedmydearoldfather.Oh,thatIcouldfetchhimbackagain!”Lovewasborninthatbase heart by an unexpected display of love. May not your case besimilar?OurLordJesusChristisdead,butHehasleftinHiswillthatthechief of sinners are objects of His choicest mercy! Dying, He prayed,“Father, forgive them.” Risen,He pleads for transgressors. Sinners arealwaysonHismind—their salvation isHis greatobjective.Hisblood isforthem,Hisheartforthem,Hisrighteousnessforthem,HisHeavenforthem!

Come,O you guilty ones, and receive your legacy! Put out the hand offaithandgraspyourportion!TrustJesuswithyoursoulsandHewillsaveyou!Godblessyou.Amen.

OnConversionasourAim

Thegrandobjectof theChristianministry is thegloryofGod.Whethersouls are converted or not, if Jesus Christ be faithfully preached, theministerhasnot laboured invain, forhe isa sweetsavouruntoGodaswellinthemthatperishasinthemthataresaved.Yet,asarule,GodhassentustopreachinorderthatthroughthegospelofJesusChristthesonsof men may be reconciled to Him. Here and there a preacher ofrighteousness,likeNoah,maylabouronandbringnonebeyondhisownfamilycircle into the ark of salvation; and another, like Jeremiah,mayweepinvainoveranimpenitentnation;but,forthemostpart,theworkof preaching is intended to save the hearers. It is ours to sow even instonyplaces,where no fruit rewards our toil; but stillwe are bound tolookforaharvest,andmournifitdoesnotappearinduetime.

The glory of God being our chief object, we aim at it by seeking theedification of saints and the salvation of sinners. It is a noble work toinstructthepeopleofGod,andtobuildthemupintheirmostholyfaith:wemaybynomeansneglect this duty. To this endwemust give clearstatementsofgospeldoctrine,ofvitalexperience,andofChristianduty,andnevershrinkfromdeclaringthewholecounselofGod.Intoomanycasessublime truths are held in abeyanceunder the pretence that theyarenotpractical;whereastheveryfactthattheyarerevealedprovesthattheLordthinksthemtobeofvalue,andwoeuntousifwepretendtobewiserthanHe.WemaysayofanyandeverydoctrineofScripture

"Togiveitthenatongueiswiseinman."

If anyonenote isdropped from thedivineharmonyof truth themusicmaybesadlymarred.Yourpeoplemay fall intogravespiritualdiseasesthroughthelackofacertainformofspiritualnutrimentwhichcanonlybe suppliedby thedoctrineswhichyouwithhold. In the foodwhichweeatthereare ingredientswhichdonotat firstappeartobenecessarytolife;butexperienceshowsthattheyarerequisitetohealthandstrength.Phosphoruswillnotmake flesh,but it iswanted forbone;manyearthsand salts come under the same description they are necessary in dueproportiontothehumaneconomy.Eventhuscertaintruthswhichappearto be little adapted for spiritual nutriment are, nevertheless, verybeneficial in furnishing believers with backbone and muscle, and inrepairingthevariedorgansofChristianmanhood.Wemustpreach"thewholetruth,"thatthemanofGodmaybethoroughlyfurnisheduntoallgoodworks.

OurgreatobjectofglorifyingGodis,however,tobemainlyachievedbythewinningofsouls.WemustseesoulsbornuntoGod.Ifwedonot,ourcryshouldbethatofRachel"Givemechildren,orIdie."Ifwedonotwinsouls,weshouldmournasthehusbandmanwhoseesnoharvest,asthefisherman who returns to his cottage with an empty net, or as thehuntsman who has in vain roamed over hill and dale. Ours should beIsaiah'slanguageutteredwithmanyasighandgroan"Whohathbelievedour report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?" Theambassadors of peace should not cease to weep bitterly until sinnersweepfortheirsins.

Ifwe intenselydesiretoseeourhearersbelieveontheLordJesus,howshallweactinordertobeusedofGodforproducingsucharesult?Thisisthethemeofthepresentlecture.

Since conversion is a divine work, we must take care thatwe dependentirelyupon theSpirit ofGod,and look toHim forpower overmen'sminds.Oftenasthisremarkisrepeated,Ifearwetoolittlefeelitsforce;forifweweremoretrulysensibleofourneedoftheSpiritofGod,shouldwenotstudymoreindependenceuponHisteaching?Shouldwenotpraymore importunately tobeanointedwithHissacredunction?Shouldwenot in preaching givemore scope forHis operation? Dowe not fail inmanyofourefforts,becausewepractically,thoughnotdoctrinally,ignorethe Holy Ghost? His place as God is on the throne, and in all ourenterprisesHemustbefirst,midst,andend:weare instruments inHishand,andnothingmore.

This being fully admitted, what else should be done if we hope to seeconversions? Assuredly we should be careful to preach mostprominentlythosetruthswhicharelikelytoleadtothisend.Whattruthsarethose?Ianswer,weshouldfirstandforemostpreachChrist,andHimcrucified.WhereJesus isexaltedsoulsareattracted"I, if Ibe liftedup,willdrawallmenuntome."ThepreachingofthecrossistothemthataresavedthewisdomofGodandthepowerofGod.TheChristianministershouldpreachallthetruthswhichclusteraroundthepersonandworkoftheLordJesus,andhencehemustdeclareveryearnestlyandpointedlytheevilofsin,whichcreatedtheneedofaSaviour.Lethimshowthatsinisabreachofthelaw,thatitnecessitatespunishment,andthatthewrathofGodisrevealedagainstit.Lethimnevertreatsinasthoughitwereatrifle,oramisfortune,butlethimsetitforthasexceedingsinful.Lethimgo into particulars, not superficially glancing at evil in the gross, butmentioning various sins in detail, especially those most current at thetime:suchasthatall-devouringhydraofdrunkenness,whichdevastatesour land; lying,which in the formof slander aboundsonall sides; andlicentiousness, which must be mentioned with holy delicacy, and yetneeds to be denounced unsparingly.Wemust especially reprove thoseevils intowhichourhearershavefallen,orare likelytofall.Explaintheten commandments and obey the divine injunction: "show my people

their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins." Open up thespiritualityofthelawasourLorddid,andshowhowitisbrokenbyevilthoughts,intents,andimaginations.Bythismeansmanysinnerswillbeprickedintheirhearts.OldRobbieFlockhartusedtosay,"Itisofnousetryingtosewwiththesilkenthreadofthegospelunlesswepierceawayforitwiththesharpneedleofthelaw."Thelawgoesfirst,liketheneedle,and draws the gospel thread after it: therefore preach concerning sin,righteousness, and judgment to come. Let such language as that of thefifty-firstPsalmbeoftenexplained:showthatGodrequirethtruthintheinwardparts,andthatpurgingwithsacrificialbloodisabsolutelyneedful.Aimattheheart.Probethewoundandtouchtheveryquickofthesoul.Sparenotthesternerthemes,formenmustbewoundedbeforetheycanbehealed,andslainbeforetheycanbemadealive.Nomanwilleverputon the robeofChrist's righteousness tillhe is strippedofhis fig leaves,nor will he wash in the fount of mercy till he perceives his filthiness.Therefore, my brethren, we must not cease to declare the law, itsdemands,itsthreatenings,andthesinner'smultipliedbreachesofit.

Teach the depravity of human nature. Show men that sin is not anaccident, but the genuine outcome of their corrupt hearts. Preach thedoctrineofthenaturaldepravityofman.Itisanunfashionabletruth;fornowadaysministersaretobefoundwhoareveryfineupon"thedignityofhumannature."The"lapsedstateofman"thatisthephraseissometimesalluded to, but the corruption of our nature, and kindred themes arecarefully avoided: Ethiopians are informed that they may whiten theirskins,anditishopedthatleopardswillremovetheirspots.Brethren,youwill not fall into this delusion, or, if you do, you may expect fewconversions.Toprophesysmooththings,andtoextenuatetheevilofourlostestate,isnotthewaytoleadmentoJesus.

Brethren,thenecessityfortheHolyGhost'sdivineoperationswillfollowas a matter of course upon the former teaching, for dire necessitydemandsdivineinterposition.Menmustbetoldthattheyaredead,andthat only the Holy Spirit can quicken them; that the Spirit worksaccording to His own good pleasure, and that no man can claim hisvisitations or deserve his aid. This is thought to be very discouragingteaching, and so it is, but men need to be discouraged when they are

seekingsalvationinawrongmanner.Toputthemoutofconceitoftheirownabilities isagreathelp towardbringing them to lookoutof self toanother, even the Lord Jesus. The doctrine of election and other greattruthswhichdeclaresalvationtobeallofgrace,andtobe,nottherightofthecreature,butthegiftoftheSovereignLord,areallcalculatedtohidepridefromman,andsotopreparehimtoreceivethemercyofGod.

WemustalsosetbeforeourhearersthejusticeofGodandthecertaintythateverytransgressionwillbepunished.Oftenmustwe

Beforethemplaceindreadarray,ThepompofthattremendousdayWhenChristwithcloudsshallcome."

Soundintheirearsthedoctrineofthesecondadvent,notasacuriosityofprophecy,butasasolemnpracticalfact.ItisidletosetforthourLordinall the tinkling bravery of an earthly kingdom, after the manner ofbrethrenwhobelieveinarevivedJudaism;weneedtopreachtheLordascoming to judge theworld in righteousness, to summon the nations toHisbar,andtoseparatethemasashepherddivideththesheepfromthegoats, Paul preached of righteousness, temperance, and judgment tocome,andmadeFelix tremble: these themesare equallypowerfulnow.We rob the gospel of its power if we leave out its threatenings ofpunishment.Itistobefearedthatthenovelopinionsuponannihilationandrestorationwhichhave afflicted theChurch in these last days havecausedmanyministerstobeslowtospeakconcerningthelastjudgmentand its issues,andconsequently the terrorsof theLordhavehad smallinfluenceuponeitherpreachersorhearers.Ifthisbesoitcannotbetoomuchregretted,foronegreatmeansofconversionisthusleftunused.

Belovedbrethren,wemustbemostofallclearuponthegreatsoul-savingdoctrine of the atonement; we must preach a real bona fidesubstitutionarysacrifice,andproclaimpardonasitsresult.Cloudyviewsastoatoningbloodaremischievoustothe lastdegree;soulsareheld inunnecessary bondage, and saints are robbed of the calm confidence offaith,becausetheyarenotdefinitelytoldthat"GodhathmadeHimtobesinforus,whoknewnosin,thatwemightbemadetherighteousnessofGod in Him." We must preach substitution straightforwardly and

unmistakeably,forifanydoctrinebeplainlytaughtinScriptureitisthis,--"ThechastisementofourpeacewasuponHim,andwithHisstripeswearehealed.""He,Hisownself,bareoursinsinHisownbodyonthetree."Thistruthgivesrest totheconsciencebyshowinghowGodcanbe just,and the justifier of him that believeth. This is the great net of gospelfishermen: the fish are drawn or driven in the right direction by othertruths,butthisisthenetitself.

Ifmenaretobesaved,wemustinplainesttermspreachjustification,byfaith, as themethod by which the atonement becomes effectual in thesoul'sexperience. Ifwearesavedby thesubstitutionaryworkofChrist,nomeritofoursiswanted,andallmenhavetodoisbyasimplefaithtoacceptwhatChristhasalreadydone.Itisdelightfultodwellonthegrandtruththat"Thisman,afterHehadofferedonesacrificeforsinsforever,satdownontherighthandofGod."Oglorious sight--theChristsittingdownintheplaceofhonourbecauseHisworkisdone.Wellmaythesoulrestinaworksoevidentlycomplete.

Justification by faithmust never be obscured, and yet all are not clearuponit.Ionceheardasermonupon"Theythatsowintearsshallreapinjoy,"ofwhichtheEnglishwas,"Begood,verygood,andthoughyouwillhave to suffer in consequence, God will reward you in the end." Thepreacher, no doubt, believed in justification by faith, but he verydistinctlypreachedtheoppositedoctrine.Manydothiswhenaddressingchildren, and I notice that they generally speak to the little ones aboutloving Jesus, and not upon believing in Him This must leave amischievousimpressionuponyouthfulmindsandtakethemofffromthetruewayofpeace.

Preach earnestly the love of God in Christ Jesus, and magnify theaboundingmercyoftheLord;butalwayspreachitinconnectionwithHisjustice. Do not extol the single attribute of love in the method toogenerallyfollowed,butregardloveinthehightheologicalsense,inwhich,likeagoldencircle,itholdswithinitselfallthedivineattributes:forGodwerenot love ifHewerenot just, anddidnothate everyunholy thing.Neverexaltoneattributeattheexpenseofanother.Letboundlessmercybeseenincalmconsistencywithsternjusticeandunlimitedsovereignty.The true character of God is fitted to awe, impress, and humble the

sinner:becarefulnottomisrepresentyourLord.

All these truths and others which complete the evangelical system arecalculated to leadmen to faith; thereforemake them the stapleof yourteaching.

Secondly, if we are intensely anxious to have souls saved wemust notonlypreachthetruthswhicharelikelytoleaduptothisend,butwemustusemodesofhandlingthosetruthswhicharelikelytoconducethereto.Doyouenquire,whatarethey?First,youmustdoagreatdealbywayofinstruction.Sinnersarenotsavedindarknessbutfromit;"thatthesoulbewithout knowledge, it is not good."Menmust be taught concerningthemselves, their sin, and their fall; their Saviour, redemption,regeneration,andsoon.ManyawakenedsoulswouldgladlyacceptGod'swayofsalvationiftheydidbutknowit;theyareakintothoseofwhomtheapostlesaid,"Andnowbrethren,Iwotthatthroughignoranceyedidit." If youwill instruct themGodwill save them: is it notwritten, "theentrance of thy word giveth light"? If the Holy Spirit blesses yourteaching,theywillseehowwrongtheyhavebeen,andtheywillbeledtorepentanceandfaith.Idonotbelieveinthatpreachingwhichliesmainlyinshouting,"Believe!believe!believe!"Incommonjusticeyouareboundtotellthepoorpeoplewhattheyaretobelieve.Theremustbeinstruction,otherwisetheexhortationtobelieveismanifestlyridiculous,andmustinpracticebeabortive.Ifearthatsomeofourorthodoxbrethrenhavebeenprejudicedagainstthefree invitationsof thegospelbyhearing the raw,undigestedharanguesofrevivalistspeakerswhoseheadsarelooselyputtogether.ThebestwaytopreachsinnerstoChrist is topreachChrist tosinners. Exhortations, entreaties, and beseechings, if not accompaniedwithsoundinstruction,arelikefiringoffpowderwithoutshot.Youmayshout,andweep,andplead,butyoucannotleadmentobelievewhattheyhavenotheard, nor to receive a truthwhich has never been set beforethem. "Because the preacher was wise, he still taught the peopleknowledge."

Whilegivinginstructionsitiswisetoappealtotheunderstanding.Truereligionisaslogicalasifitwerenotemotional.IamnotanadmirerofthepeculiarviewsofMr,Finney,but Ihavenodoubt thathewasuseful tomany;andhispowerlayinhisuseofcleararguments.Manywhoknew

hisfameweregreatlydisappointedatfirsthearinghim,becauseheusedfewbeautiesofspeechandwasascalmanddryasabookofEuclid;buthe was exactly adapted to a certain order of minds, and they wereconvincedandconvictedbyhisforciblereasoning.Shouldnotpersonsofanargumentativecastofmindbeprovidedfor?Wearetobeallthingstoallmen,andtothesemenwemustbecomeargumentativeandpushthemintoacornerwithplain deductions andnecessary inferences.Of carnalreasoning we would have none, but of fair, honest pondering,considering,judging,andarguingthemorethebetter.

Theclassrequiringlogicalargumentissmallcomparedwiththenumberof thosewhoneed tobepleadedwith,bywayofemotionalpersuasion.Theyrequirenotsomuchreasoningasheart-argumentwhichislogicsetonfire.Youmustarguewiththemasamotherpleadswithherboythathewillnotgrieveher,orasa fondsisterentreatsabrothertoreturntotheirfather'shomeandseekreconciliation:argumentmustbequickenedintopersuasionbythelivingwarmthoflove.Coldlogichasitsforce,butwhen made red hot with affection the power of tender argument isinconceivable. The power which one mind can gain over others isenormous, but it is often best developed when the leading mind hasceased to have power over itself.When passionate zeal has carried themanhimselfawayhisspeechbecomesanirresistibletorrent,sweepingallbefore it. A man known to be godly and devout, and felt to be large-heartedandselfsacrificing,hasapowerinhisveryperson,andhisadviceandrecommendationcarryweightbecauseofhischaracter;butwhenhecomestopleadandtopersuade,eventotears,hisinfluenceiswonderful,and God the Holy Spirit yokes it into His service. Brethren, we mustplead.Entreatiesandbeseechingsmustblendwithourinstructions.AnyandeveryappealwhichwillreachtheconscienceandmovementoflytoJesuswemustperpetuallyemploy,ifbyanymeanswemaysavesome.Ihavesometimesheardministersblamedforspeakingofthemselveswhentheyarepleading,butthecensureneednotbemuchregardedwhilewehavesuchaprecedentastheexampleofPaul.Toacongregationwholoveyou it is quite allowable to mention your grief that many of them areunsaved, and your vehement desire, and incessant prayer for theirconversion.YouaredoingrightwhenyoumentionyourownexperienceofthegoodnessofGodinChristJesus,andpleadwithmentocomeand

taste the same. We must not be abstractions or mere officials to ourpeople;butwemustpleadwiththemasrealfleshandblood,ifwewouldseethemconverted.Whenyoucanquoteyourselfasalivinginstanceofwhatgracehasdone,thepleaistoopowerfultobewithheldthroughfearofbeingchargedwithegotism.

Sometimes, too, we must change our tone. Instead of instructing,reasoningandpersuading,wemustcometothreatening,anddeclarethewrath of God upon impenitent souls. We must lift the curtain and letthemseethe future.Showthemtheirdanger,andwarn them toescapefromthewrathtocome.Thisdone,wemustreturntoinvitation,andsetbeforetheawakenedmindtherichprovisionsofinfinitegracewhicharefreelypresentedtothesonsofmen.InourMaster'snamewemustgivethe invitation, crying, "Whosoever will, let him take the water of lifefreely." Do not be deterred from this, my brethren, by those ultra-Calvinistictheologianswhosay,"Youmayinstructandwarntheungodly,butyoumustnotinviteorentreatthem."Andwhynot?"Becausetheyaredeadsinners,anditisthereforeabsurdtoinvitethem,sincetheycannotcome."Whereforethenmaywewarnorinstructthem?Theargumentissostrong, itbestrongatall, that it sweepsawayallmodesofappeal tosinners,andtheyaloneare logicalwho,after theyhavepreached to thesaints,sitdownandsay,"Theelectionhathobtainedit,andtherestwereblinded."Onwhatgroundarewetoaddresstheungodlyatall?IfweareonlytobidthemdosuchthingsastheyarecapableofdoingwithouttheSpiritofGod,wearereducedtomeremoralists.Ifitbeabsurdtobidthedead sinner believe and live, it is equally vain to bid him consider hisstate, and reflect upon his future doom. Indeed, it would be idlealtogetherwereitnotthattruepreachingisanactoffaith,andisownedbytheHolySpiritasthemeansofworkingspiritualmiracles.Ifwewerebyourselves,anddidnotexpectdivineinterpositions,weshouldbewisetokeepwithintheboundsofreason,andpersuadementodoonlywhatweseeinthemtheabilitytodo.Weshouldthenbidthelivinglive,urgetheseeingtosee,andpersuadethewillingtowill.Thetaskwouldbesoeasythatitmightevenseemtobesuperfluous;certainlynospecialcalloftheHolyGhostwouldbeneededforsoverysimpleanundertaking.But,brethren, where is the mighty power and the victory of faith if ourministry is this andnothingmore?Whoamong the sonsofmenwould

thinkitagreatvocationtobesentintoasynagoguetosaytoaperfectlyvigorousman, "Rise up andwalk," or to the possessor of sound limbs,"Stretch out thine hand." He is a poor Ezekiel whose greatestachievementistocry,"Yelivingsouls,live."

Letthetwomethodsbesetsidebysideastopracticalresult,anditwillbeseenthatthosewhoneverexhortsinnersareseldomwinnersofsoulstoanygreatextent,buttheymaintaintheirchurchesbyconvertsfromothersystems, I have even heard them say, "Oh, yes, the Methodists andRevivalistsarebeatingthehedges,butweshallcatchmanyofthebirds."IfIharbouredsuchameanthoughtIshouldbeashamedtoexpressit.Asystemwhich cannot touch the outsideworld, butmust leave arousingandconvertingworktoothers,whomitjudgestobeunsound,writesitsowncondemnation.

Again,brethren,ifwewishtoseesoulssaved,wemustbewiseastothetimes when we address the unconverted. Very little common sense isspent over thismatter. Under certainministries there is a set time forspeaking tosinners,and thiscomesas regularlyas thehourofnoon.Afewcrumbsofthefeastarethrowntothedogsunderthetableatthecloseofthediscourse,andtheytreatyourcrumbsasyoutreatthem,namely,withcourteous indifference.Whyshouldthewarningwordbealwaysatthehinderendofthediscoursewhenhearersaremostlikelytobeweary?Whygivemennoticetobuckleontheirharnesssoas tobepreparedtorepelourattack?Whentheirinterestisexcited,andtheyare leastuponthedefensive,thenletflyashaftatthecareless,anditwillfrequentlybemoreeffectualthanawholeflightofarrowsshotagainstthematatimewhentheyarethoroughlyencasedinarmourofproof.Surpriseisagreatelementingainingattentionandfixingaremarkuponthememory,andtimes for addressing the careless should be chosenwith an eye to thatfact.Itmaybeverywellasaruletoseektheedificationof thesaints inthe morning discourse, but it would be wise to vary it, and let theunconvertedsometimeshavethechieflabourofyourpreparationandthebestserviceoftheday.

Donotcloseasinglesermonwithoutaddressingtheungodly,butatthesametimesetyourselfseasonsforadeterminedandcontinuousassaultupon them, and proceed with all your soul to the conflict. On such

occasions aim distinctly at immediate conversions; labour to removeprejudices, to resolve doubts, to conquer objections, and to drive thesinneroutofhishiding-placesatonce.Summonthechurchmemberstospecialprayer,beseechthemtospeakpersonallybothwiththeconcernedandtheunconcerned,andbeyourselfdoublyuponthewatchtoaddressindividuals.WehavefoundthatourFebruarymeetingsattheTabernaclehave yielded remarkable results: the whole month being dedicated tospecialeffort.Winterisusuallythepreacher'sharvest,becausethepeoplecan come together better in the long evenings, and are debarred fromout-of-door exercises and amusements. Be well prepared for theappropriateseasonwhen"kingsgoforthtobattle."

Amongtheimportantelementsinthepromotionofconversionareyourowntone, temper,andspirit inpreaching. If youpreach the truth inadull,monotonous style, Godmay bless it, but in all probability hewillnot;atanyratethetendencyofsuchastyleisnottopromoteattention,but to hinder it. It is not often that sinners are awakened byministerswhoarethemselvesasleep.Ahard,unfeelingmodeofspeechisalsotobeavoided;wantoftendernessisasadlack,andrepelsratherthanattracts.ThespiritofElijahmaystartle,andwhereitisexceedinglyintenseitmaygofartoprepareforthereceptionofthegospel;butforactualconversionmoreofJohnisneeded,loveisthewinningforce.WemustlovementoJesus.Greatheartsare themainqualifications for greatpreachers, andwemustcultivateouraffectionstothatend.Atthesametimeourmannermustnotdegenerate into thesoftandsaccharinecantwhichsomemenaffectwhoareforeverdearingeverybody,andfawninguponpeopleasifthey hoped to soft-sawder them into godliness. Manly persons aredisgusted, and suspect hypocrisy when they hear a preacher talkingmolasses.Letusbeboldandoutspoken,andneveraddressourhearersasif we were asking a favour of them, or as if they would oblige theRedeemerbyallowingHimtosavethem.Weareboundtobelowly,butourofficeasambassadorsshouldpreventourbeingservile.

Happyshallwebeifwepreachbelievingly,alwaysexpectingtheLordtoblesshisownword.Thiswillgiveusaquietconfidencewhichwillforbidpetulance, rashness, andweariness. Ifwe ourselves doubt the power ofthe gospel, how can we preach it with authority? Feel that you are a

favouredman in being allowed to proclaim the good news, and rejoicethatyourmissionisfraughtwitheternalbenefittothosebeforeyou.Letthepeople seehowgladand confident thegospelhasmadeyou, and itwillgofartomakethemlongtopartakeinitsblessedinfluences.

Preachverysolemnly,foritisaweightybusiness,butletyourmatterbelively and pleasing, for this will prevent solemnity from souring intodreariness. Be so thoroughly solemn that all your faculties are arousedand consecrated, and then a dash of humour will only add intensergravity to the discourse, even as a flash of lightning makes midnightdarknessall themore impressive.Preachtoonepoint,concentratingallyour energies upon the object aimed at. There must be no riding ofhobbies,nointroductionofeleganciesofspeech,nosuspicionofpersonaldisplay,oryouwillfail.Sinnersarequickwittedpeople,andsoondetecteven the smallest effort to glorify self. Forgo everything for the sake ofthoseyoulongtosave.BeafoolforChrist'ssakeifthiswillwinthem,orbe a scholar, if thatwill bemore likely to impress them. Spare neitherlabourinthestudy,prayerinthecloset,norzealinthepulpit.Ifmendonotjudgetheirsoulstobeworthathought,compelthemtoseethattheirministerisofaverydifferentopinion.

Meanconversions,expectthem,andprepareforthem.ResolvethatyourhearersshalleitheryieldtoyourLordorbewithoutexcuse,andthatthisshallbetheimmediateresultofthesermonnowinhand.DonotlettheChristians around youwonderwhen souls are saved, but urge them tobelieveintheundiminishedpowerofthegladtidings,andteachthemtomarvelifnosavingresultfollowsthedeliveryofthetestimonyofJesus.Do not permit sinners to hear sermons as amatter of course, or allowthemtoplaywiththeedgedtoolsofScriptureasiftheyweremeretoys;butagain and again remind them that every true gospel sermon leavesthemworse if it does not make them better. Their unbelief is a daily,hourly sin; never let them infer from your teaching that they are to bepitiedforcontinuingtomakeGodaliarbyrejectingHisSon

Impressedwithasenseoftheirdanger,givetheungodlynorestintheirsins;knockagainandagainatthedooroftheirhearts,andknockasforlife and death. Your solicitude, your earnestness, your anxiety, yourtravailing inbirth for themGodwill bless to their arousing.Godworks

mightilybythisinstrumentality.Butouragonyforsoulsmustberealandnotfeigned,andthereforeourheartsmustbewroughtintotruesympathywith God. Low piety means little spiritual power. Extremely pointedaddressesmaybedeliveredbymenwhoseheartsareoutoforderwiththeLord,buttheirresultmustbesmall.ThereisasomethingintheverytoneofthemanwhohasbeenwithJesuswhichhasmorepowertotouchtheheart than the most perfect oratory: remember this and maintain anunbrokenwalkwithGod.Youwillneedmuchnight-workinsecretifyouaretogathermanyofyourLord'slostsheep.Onlybyprayerandfastingcanyougainpowertocastouttheworstofdevils.Letmensaywhattheywillaboutsovereignty,Godconnectsspecialsuccesswithspecialstatesofheart,andifthesearelackinghewillnotdomanymightyworks.

Inaddition to earnestpreaching itwill bewise touse othermeans. Ifyou wish to see results from your sermons you must be accessible toenquirers. A meeting after every service may not be desirable, butfrequent opportunities for coming into direct contact with your peopleshould be sought after, and by some means created. It is shocking tothinkthatthereareministerswhohavenomethodwhateverformeetingthe anxious, and if they do see here and there one, it is because of thecourageof theseeker,andnotbecauseof theearnestnessof thepastor.Fromtheveryfirstyoushouldappoint frequentandregularseasonsforseeingallwhoareseekingafterChrist,andyoushouldcontinuallyinvitesuch to come and speak with you. In addition to this, hold numerousenquirers'meetings,atwhichtheaddressesshallbeallintendedtoassistthetroubledandguidetheperplexed,andwiththeseintermingleferventprayers for the individuals present, and short testimonials from recentconverts and others. As an open confession of Christ is continuallymentionedinconnectionwithsavingfaith, it isyourwisdomtomakeiteasyforbelieverswhoareasyetfollowingJesusbynighttocomeforwardandavowtheirallegiancetohim.Theremustbenopersuadingtomakeaprofession, but there should be every opportunity for so doing, and nostumbling-blockplacedinthewayofhopefulminds.Asforthosewhoarenotsofaradvancedastowarrantanythoughtofbaptism,youmaybeofthe utmost benefit to them by personal intercourse, and therefore youshouldseekit.Doubtsmaybeclearedaway,errorsrectified,andterrorsdispelled by a few moments' conversation; I have known instances in

whicha life-longmiseryhasbeenendedbya simpleexplanationwhichmighthavebeengivenyearsbefore.Seekoutthewanderingsheeponebyone,andwhenyoufindallyourthoughtsneededforasingleindividual,donot grudge your labour, for yourLord inHisparable represents thegoodshepherdasbringinghomeHislostsheep,notinaflock,butoneatatimeuponHisshoulders,andrejoicingsotodo.

Withallthatyoucandoyourdesireswillnotbefulfilled,forsoulwinningis a pursuit which grows upon a man; the more he is rewarded withconversionsthemoreeagerhebecomestoseegreaternumbersbornuntoGod.Henceyouwillsoondiscoverthatyouneedhelpifmanyaretobebroughtin.Thenetsoonbecomestooheavyforonepairofhandstodragashore when it is filled with fishes; and your fellow-helpers must bebeckoned to your assistance. Great things are done by the Holy Spiritwhen a whole church is aroused to sacred energy: then there arehundredsoftestimoniesinsteadofone,andthesestrengtheneachother;thenadvocatesforChristsucceedeachotherandworkintoeachother'shands, while supplication ascends to heaven with the force of unitedimportunity; thus sinners are encompassed with a cordon of earnestentreaties,andheavenitselfiscalledintothefield.Itwouldseemhardinsomecongregations fora sinner tobesaved, forwhatevergoodhemayreceivefromthepulpitisfrozenoutofhimbythearcticatmospherewithwhichhe is surrounded:andon theotherhandsome churchesmake ithardformentoremainunconverted,forwithholyzealtheypersecutethecarelessintoanxiety.Itshouldbeourambition,inthepoweroftheHolyGhost, to work the entire church into a fine missionary condition, tomakeitlikeaLeydenjarchargedtothefullwithdivineelectricity,sothatwhatever comes into contactwith it shall feel its power.What can onemandoalone?Whatcanhenotdowithanarmyofenthusiastsaroundhim?Contemplateattheoutsetthepossibilityofhavingachurchofsoul-winners.Donotsuccumbtotheusualideathatwecanonlygatherafewusefulworkers,andthattherestof thecommunitymust inevitablybeadead weight: it may possibly so happen, but do not set out with thatnotionor itwillbeverified.Theusualneednotbe theuniversal;betterthings are possible than anything yet attained; set your aim high andsparenoefforttoreachit.LabourtogatherachurchaliveforJesus,everymemberenergetictothefull,andthewhole in incessantactivity forthe

salvationofmen.Tothisendtheremustbethebestofpreachingtofeedthehostintostrength,continualprayertobringdownthepowerfromonhigh, and themost heroic example on your own part to fire their zeal:then under the divine blessing a common-sense management of theentireforcecannotfailtoproducethemostdesirableissues.Whoamongyoucangraspthisideaandembodyitinactualfact?

To call in another brother every now and then to take the lead inevangelistic services will be found very wise and useful; for there aresomefishthatneverwillbetakeninyournet,butwillsurelyfalltothelotof another fisherman. Fresh voices penetrate where the accustomedsound has lost effect, and they tend also to beget a deeper interest inthose already attentive. Sound and prudent evangelists may lend helpeventothemostefficientpastor,andgatherinfruitwhichhehasfailedtoreach:atanyrateitmakesabreakinthecontinuityofordinaryservices,and renders them less likely to become monotonous. Never sufferjealousy to hinder you in this. Suppose another lamp should outshineyours,whatwillitmattersolongasitbringslighttothosewhosewelfareyou are seeking? Say with Moses, "Would God all the Lord's servantswere prophets." He who is free from selfish jealousy will find that nooccasionwillsuggestit;hispeoplemaybewellawarethattheirpastorisexcelled by others in talent, but they will be ready to assert that he issurpassedbynoneinlovetotheirsouls.Itisnotneedfulforalovingsontobelievethathisfatheristhemostlearned,manintheparish;heloveshim forhisown sake, and not because he is superior to others. Call ineverynowand thenawarm-heartedneighbour,utilize the talent in thechurchitself,andprocuretheservicesofsomeeminentsoul-winner,andthismay, inGod'shands,breakup thehardsoil foryou,andbringyoubrighterdays.

In fine,belovedbrethren,byanymeans,byallmeans, labour toglorifyGodbyconversions,andrestnottillyourheart'sdesireisfulfilled.

RevelationandConversion

"ThelawoftheLORDisperfect,convertingthesoul."—Psalm19:7.

Whenhespokeof"the lawof theLord,Daviddidnotmerelymean thelaw as it was given in the ten commandments, although that also isperfect,andisused,tosomeextent,intheconversionofsouls.Thetermincludes the entire doctrine of God,—the whole divine revelation; andthough,inDavid'sday,therewasnotsofullandcleararevelationaswehave,—fortheNewTestamentwasnot thengiven,normuchof theOldTestament,yet thetexthas lostnoneof its former force, buthas rathergainedmore; so I shall use it as applicable to theentireScriptures,—tothelawandtothegospel,andtoallthatGodhasrevealed;andspeakingofitinthatsense,Imaytrulysaythatitisperfect,andthatitconvertsthesoul.

Atreeisknownbyitsfruit,andabookmustbetestedbyitseffects.Therearesomebookswhichbeartheirfruitforthehangmanandthejail;andsuch books are very widely spread nowadays. They are frequentlyembellishedwith engravings, and put into the hands of boys and girls,anda cropof criminals is constantly the result of their publication andcirculation. There have been books written which have spread moralcontagionthroughoutcenturies.Ineednotmentionthem;butif itwerepossible togather themall together inoneheap, andburn themas theEphesians burnt their books of magic, it would be one of the greatestblessings conceivable. Yet, if that were done, I fear that other wickedbrainswouldbe set towork to think out similar blasphemies, and thatotherhandswouldbefoundtoscattertheirvileproductions.

TheWordofGodmustbetested,likeotherbooks,bytheeffectwhichitproduces;andIamgoingtospeakupononeofitseffectstowhichmanyof us here present can bear personal witness. The old proverb says,"Speakasyoufind;"andIamgoingtospeakoftheBibleasIhavefoundit,—to praise the bridge that has carried me over every difficulty untilnow,and thathascarriedagreatmanyofyouoveralso.WeknowthatthelawoftheLordisgoodbecauseitconvertsthesoul;and,toourmind,thebestproofofitspurityandpoweristhatithasconvertedoursoul.

My firstobjectwillbe toshowhowtheWordofGodconvertsthe soul;then to show the excellence of the work of conversion; and, therefore,

thirdly,theexcellenceofthatBookwhichproducesconversion.

I.First,then,IamtoshowHOWTHEWORDOFGODCONVERTSTHESOUL.

Man'sfaceisturnedawayfromhisMaker.Eversincethefataldaywhenourfirstparentsbrokethe lawofGod,wehavebeen,allofus,guiltyofthesamegreatcrime.Westandasmenwhohavetheirbackstothelight,and we are going the downward road, the road which leads todestruction.Whatweneedistobeturnedround,forthatisthemeaningof the word "converted"—turned right about. We need to hear thecommand, "Right about face," and to march in the opposite directionfromanyinwhichwehaveevermarchedbefore.OurtexttrulysaysthattheWordofGodturnsusround.ItdoesnotmeanthattheWordalonedoesthatapartfromtheSpiritofGod,becauseamanmayreadtheBiblethroughfiftytimes,and,forfiftyyears,hearsermonsthathaveallcomeoutoftheBible,andyettheywillneverturnhimunlesstheSpiritofGodmakesuseoftheWordofGodorthepreacher'ssermons.ButwhentheSpiritofGodgoeswiththeWord,thentheWordbecomestheinstrumentoftheconversionofthesoulsofmen.

This is how the work of conversion is wrought. First, it is by theScripturesoftruththatmenaremadetoseethattheyareinerror.Therearemillionsuponmillionsofmen,intheworld,whoaregoingthewrongway,yettheydonotknowit;andtherearetensofthousands,whobelievethattheyareevendoingGodservice,whentheyareutterlyopposinghim.Somewho,asfarasitisintheirpower,areevenslayingChrist,knownotwhattheyaredoing.OneofthepleasthatourSavioruseduponthecrosswas,"Father,forgivethem,fortheyknownotwhattheydo."Totakemyowncase,Iknowthat,foryears,Iwasnotconsciousofhavingcommittedanygreatsin.Ihadbeen,byGod'srestraininggrace,keptfromoutwardimmoralities, and from gross transgressions, and therefore I thought Iwasallright.DidInotpray?DidInotattendaplaceofworship,DidInotdowhatwasrighttowardsmyfellowmen?DidInot,evenasachild,haveatenderconscience?Itseemedtome,foratime,thatallwaswell;and,perhaps,Iamaddressingsomeoneelsewhosays,"Well,ifIamnotright,Iwonderwhois;andifIhavegonewrong,wheremustmyneighborsbegoing?"Ah,thatisoftenthewaywetalk!Aslongasweareblind,wecan

seeno faults inourselves;butwhen theSpiritofGodcomes tous, andreveals tous the lawofGod, thenweperceivethatwehavebroken thewholeofthetencommandmentsinthespirit,ifnotintheletterofthem.Even the chastest of menmay well tremble when they remember thatsearchingwordofChrist,whosoeverlookethonawomantolustafterherhath committed adultery with her already in his heart." When youunderstand that the commandments of God not only forbid wrongactions, but also the desires, and imaginations, and thoughts of the:heart,andthat,consequently,amanmaycommitmurderwhileheliesinhisbed,—mayrobhisneighborwithouttouchingapennyofhismoneyoranyofhisgoods,—mayblasphemeGodthoughheneverutteredanoath,andmay break all the commands of the law, from the first to the last,beforehehasputonhis garments in themorning;—when you come toexamineyourlifeinthatlight,youwillseethatyouareinaverydifferentcondition than you thought you were in. Think, for instance, of thatsolemndeclarationofourLord,"Isayuntoyou,Thateveryidlewordthatmenshallspeak,theyshallgiveaccountthereofinthedayofjudgment."ItisbybringinghometotheheartsuchtruthsasthesethattheSpiritofGod, through the Word, makes a man see that he is in error, and indanger; and this is the beginning of his conversion. You cannot turn amanroundas longashebelieveshe isgoing intherightway.Whilehehasthatideainhishead,hegoesstraighton,marching,ashesupposes,safely;sotheveryfirstthingtobedonetohimistolethimseethatthereisaterribleprecipicerightbeforehim,overwhichhewillfallifhegoesonasheisgoing.Whenherealizesthathestops,andconsidershisposition.

Then theWordofGod comes in, in thenextplace, to taketheman offfromallattemptstogetroundbywrongways.Whenamanknowsthatheis going wrong, his instinct should lead him to seek to get right; but,unhappily, many people try to get right by getting wrong in anotherdirection.Agoodmansentmeavolumeofhispoems,theotherday.AssoonasIlookedintoit,Isawthattherewasonelineoftheversethatwastooshort,andthegoodbrotherevidentlyfeltthatitwas,sohetriedtosetthematter right bymaking thenext line too long,which, as you see atonce,madetwofaultsinsteadofone.In—likemanner,youwillfindthatmen, who are wrong in one direction with regard to their fellow-men,often become very superstitious, and go a great deal further in other

directionsthanGodasksthemtogo,andso,practically,makealonglinetowardsGodinordertomakeupfortheshortlinetowardsmen,andthusthey commit two errors instead of one. Here is a sheep that has goneastray;ithaswanderedsofartotheEastthat,inordertogetright,ittriestogojustasfartotheWest;andifconvincedthatitisinthewrongroad,allitdoesistostrayjustasfartotheNorth;and,by-and-by,totheSouth.Itiswanderingallthewhileinadifferentway,withtheintenttogetbacktothefold;and,inthisrespect,sinnersarejustassillyasthesheep.Now,theWordofGodtellsamanthat,bytheworksofthelaw,hecannotbejustified; it tells him that his heart is defiled, that he himself iscondemned already, that he is shut up under condemnation for havingbroken God's law, and indicates to him that, whatever he may do, orhowevermuch hemay struggle, if he does not seek salvation in God'sway,hewillonlymakethebadworse,andbe likeadrowningmanwhosinks the faster themorehe struggles.When theWordofGod showsamanthat,andmakeshimfeelthoughhewerehopeless,helpless,shutupin the condemned cell, it has done a great deal towards turning himround.

ThenextthingtheWordofGoddoes is toshowthemanhowhemightgetright.And,oh,howperfectlyitshowshimthis!Itcomestotheman,and says to him, "Your sin deserves punishment. God has laid thatpunishment upon his only-begotten Son; and, therefore, he is ready toforgiveyoufreelyforChrist'ssake,notbecauseofanythinggoodinyou,oranythingyouevercando,butEntirelyofhisfreemercy.Hebidsyoutrustyourself inthehandsofJesus thathemaysaveyou."Come, then,andrelyuponwhatChristhasdone,andisstilldoingforyou,andbelieveinthemercyofGod,inChristJesus,toallwhotrusthim.Oh,howclearlytheWordofGodsetsChristbeforeus!Itisasortofmirrorinwhichheisrevealed.Christhimselfisupinheaven,andapoorsinner,downhereonearth,cannotseehimhoweverlonghelooks;butthisWordoftheLordislike a huge looking-glass, better even than Solomon's molten sea; andJesusChristlooksdownintothismirror,andthen,ifyouandIcomeandlookintoit,wecanseethereflectionofhisface.Blessedbehisholyname,itistrue,asDr.WattsSings,—

"HereIbeholdmySavior'sface

Almostineverypage."

ThereisscarcelyonechapterinwhichChristisnot,moreorlessclearly,setforthastheSaviorofsinners.SotheWordofGod,yousee,showsthemanthatheisinthewrong,takeshimawayfromwrongwaysoftryingtogetright,andthenputshiminthewaytogetright,namely,bybelievinginJesus.

ButtheWordoftheLorddoesmorethanthat.InthepoweroftheHolySpirit,ithelpsthemantobelieve;for,atthefirst,heisquitestaggeredatthe idea of free salvation,—instantaneous pardon,—the blotting out ofsin-all for nothing,—pardon for the worst and vilest freely given, andgivennow.Themansays,"Surely, it is toogoodtobetrue."Heis filledwithamazement,forGod'sthoughtsareashighabovehim,andasfaroutofhisreach,astheheavensareabovetheearth.ThentheWordcomestohim, and says, "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord:thoughyoursinsbeasscarlet,theyshallbeaswhiteassnow;thoughtheybered likecrimson, theyshallbeaswool."TheWordalsosays tohim,"Allmanner of sin and of blasphemy shall be forgiven untomen." TheWordsays,"ThemercyoftheLordendurethforever.""Hedelightethinmercy.""Ihaveblottedout,asathickcloud,thytransgressions,and,asacloud, thysins."Ineednotgoonrepeatingthe textswithwhichIhopemanyofyouhavelongbeenfamiliar.Thereisagreatnumberofthem,—precious promises, gracious invitations, and comforting doctrines; and,asthesinnerreadsthem,withtremblinggaze, theSpiritofGodappliesthemtohissoul,andhesays,"IcanandIdobelieveinJesus.Lord,Idogladlyacceptthypardoningmercy.Ilookuntohimwhowasnailedtothecross,andI find inhimthecure for theserpent-bitesof sin. IdoandIwillbelieveinJesus,andventuremysouluponhim."It is thusthattheWordofGodconvertsthesoul,byhelpingthemantobelieveinJesus.

Andwhenithasdonethat,themanisconverted;forwhenamanlookstoChristalone,hehasturnedhisfacetowardsGod.Now,hehasconfidenceinGod,andoutofthisgrowslovetoGod,andnowhedesirestopleaseGodbecauseGodhasbeensoverygraciousinprovidingsuchaSaviorforhim.Themanisturnedrightround;fromrebellingagainstGod,hehascome to feel intense gratitude to hisRedeemer, and he seeks to live toGod'sgloryashewouldneverhavethoughtofdoingbefore.

I ask you,who are the people ofGod,whether you have not felt, sinceyourconversion,thepoweroftheWordofGodinsustainingyouinyourconverted condition. Do you not often feel, as you hear the gospelpreached,yourheartgrowwarmwithinyou?Sometimeago,whenIwentawayforaweek'sholiday,Iwasmorethanalittle troubledaboutmanythings.Ihadbeen,foralongwhile,preachingtoothers,andIthoughtIshouldliketofeelthepoweroftheWordinhearingitmyself.Iwenttoalittle chapel in thecountry, and there I heard a lay brother—I thinkhemusthavebeenanengineer—preacha sermon.Therewasnothingverygrand in it, except that itwas full of Christ; and as I listened to it,mytearsbegan to flow. Iwish that, sometimes, someof you,mybrethren,would preach, and let me take my turn at listening. Well, on thatoccasion, my soul was melted as I heard the gospel proclaimed verysimply, and I thought, "After all, I do feel its power; I do enjoy itssweetness;" for,whileI listened to it,myheartoverflowedwith joyanddelight,andIcouldonlysitstillandweepasIheardthesimplestoryofthecross.

Andhavenotyou,beloved,oftenfounditso, inyourexperience,asyouhavebeenreadingtheWordoftheLord?IfyouevergetdullinthethingsofGod,itisnottheBiblethathasmadeyouso.Ifeveryourheartgrowscold, it isnotthepromisesofGodthathavemadeyoucold. Ifeveryoucannotsing,andcannotpray,itisnotthesearchingoftheScripturesthathasbroughtyou into that condition;and ifyoueverhave themisery ofhearingasermonthatdeadensyourspirituallife,IamquitecertainthatthatsermonisnotinharmonywiththemindofGod,andnotaccordingtotheteachingof theWordofGod.Butwhenyouhear thegospel fullyandfaithfullypreached,ifyourheartisatallcapableoffeelingitspower,itstirs your spirit, itwakes youup, it producesholy emotions,—love toGod, lovetoyourfellow-men,heart-searching,deephumiliation,ardentzeal,andalltheChristiangracesinfullexercise.TheWordoftheLordisperfect and its effect is continually to restoreand revive the soulof theChristian.

Thishasbeentomeoneofthegreatevidencesofthetruthofinspiration.Standingaloneatnight, and lookingup to the starryvaultofheaven, Ihave askedmyself, "Is this gospel,which I havebelieved,which I have

reachedtoothersforsomanyyears,reallytrue?"Beingabsolutelycertainthat there is a God,—for none but a fool can doubt that,—I have said,"Well,thisgospelhasmademeloveGod.IknowIlovehimwithallmyheart and soul. And whenever it exerts its rightful power over me, itmakesmetrytopleasehim.WheneverIamunderitsinfluence,itmakesmehateallwrong,andallmeanness,andallfalseness.Now,itwouldbeaverystrangethingifaliecouldleadamantoactlikethat,soitmustbetrue."ThemoraleffectoftheWordofGoduponone'sownnature,fromdaytoday,becomes,intheabsenceofallotherproof,—evenifwehadnoother—thesurestandbestevidencetoamanthat"thelawoftheLordisperfect,"foritconvertshissoul.

I once heard a charming story of Robert Hall,—that mightiest of ourBaptistorators,—perhapsoneofthegreatestandmosteloquentministerswhoeverlived.Hewassubjecttofitsofterribledepressionofspirits;and,onenight,hehadbeensnowedup,onhiswaytoacertainplacewherehewasgoing topreach.Therewassuchagreatdepthofsnowthathewasobligedtostayforthenightatthefarmhousewherehehadstopped.Buthemust preach, he said, he had gob his discourse ready, and hemustdeliver it; so they fetched in the servants, and the farmpeople, and hepreached the sermon he had prepared,—a very wonderful one to bedeliveredinafarmhouseparlour;andaftertheothershadallgone,hesatdownbythefiresidewiththegoodmanofthehouse,andhesaidtohim,—aplain,countryfarmer,"Nowtellme,Mr.-and-so,whatdoyouthinkisthe sure evidence of a man being a child of God, for I sometimes amafraidIamnotone?""Oh!"saidthefarmer,"mydearMr.Hall,howcanyoutalk likethat?""Well,whatdoyou think is thebestevidence thatamanisreallyachildofGod?""Oh!"repliedthefarmer,"Ifeelsurethat,ifamanlovesGod,itmustbeallrightwithhim.""Then,"saidthefarmer,ashe told the story, "you should have heard him speak.He said, 'LoveGod,sir?LoveGod?IfIweredamned,Iwouldstilllovehim;heissuchablessedBeing,—soholy,sotrue,sogracious,sokind,sojust!'Hewentonforanhour,praisingGod,thetearsrunningdownhischeeksashekepton saying, 'Love him! I cannot help loving him; I must love him.Whateverhedoestome,Imustlovehim.'"Well,now,Ihavefeltjustlikethatsometimes,andthenIhavesaidtomyself,"WhatmademelovetheLordthus?Why,thisthatIhavereadabouthiminthisblessedBook;and

thisthatIbelievethathehasdoneforme,inthepersonofhisdearSon;and thatwhichbringsme into such a state that I lovehimwith allmynature,mustbearightandatruething."

TheWordofGodisperfect,convertingthesoul.Youwillfindittobesothe longer you live, and themore you test and try it.Wheneveryougoastray,it isbecauseyougetawayfromtheWordofGod;andaslongasyou are kept right, it is because you are drinking in the precious truthconcerning Jesus as it is revealed in the Bible. That is the one perfectBookintheworld,anditwillmakeyoualsoperfectifyouwillyieldtoitsgracious influence. Only submit yourself to it, and you will, one day,become perfect, and be taken up to dwell where the perfect God, whowrotetheperfectBook,willrevealtoyoutheperfectionofblissforeverandforevermore.Godgrant toyou,dearbrethrenandsisters, toknowthepowerofthisconvertingBook!Ifanyofyouhavebackslidden,IpraythatthissameblessedBookmaybringyouback.Ihadaletter,theotherday,fromthebackwoodsofAmericathatdidmyheart,good.Itwasfromaman,whowasoneofmyfirstconvertsatNewParkStreetChapel.Hehadbeenforyearsamemberofthechurch,buthegrewcold,andceasedtoattendthemeansofgrace;and,atlast,hehadtobeexcommunicatedfromthechurch.HewentouttoAmerica;andthere,faraway,hebegantoexaminehimself,andtheSpiritofGodbroughthometohishearttheold texts which he used to hear. He writes that he was brought to hisknees,andnowheisactivelyengagedintheserviceofGod,endeavoringtobringotherbackslidersandsinners to theLordJesusChrist It is theWordofGodthatwillrestoreyou,backslider;Ihopeitwilldosothisveryhour, and that, soon, you will come to us, and say, "Takeme into thechurch again, for the Lord has restored me to fellowship with himthroughhisblessedWord."

II.Imustbeverybriefuponthesecondpartofmysubject,whichis,THEEXCELLENCEOFTHISWORKOFCONVERSION.That isaboundlesstheme, but I must be content just to touch upon a few points of thisexcellence.

When the Word of God converts a man, it takes away from him hisdespair,butitdoesnottakefromhimhisrepentance.Hedoesnotthinknowthathis sinwill casthim intohell,buthedoesnot therefore think

that his sin is a trifle.He hates the sin asmuch as if he feared that itwoulddestroyhimforever.Thatisagrandkindofconversion,—thattheman,whohadbeenindespairbecauseofhissin,ismadetoknowthathissinisforgiven,andyetheisnotledtotrifleortamperwithsin.Byfaith,he sees thewoundsofJesus, andhe knowshowChrist bled to set himfreefromthebondageofsin,andthatmakeshimforeverhatesin.Isnotthatanexcellentconversion?

True conversion also gives a man pardon, but does not make himpresumptuous.Hispasttransgressionisallforgivenhim,buthedoesnot,therefore, say, "I will go, and transgress in the same fashion again. Ifpardonbesoeasilyobtained,whyshouldInotsin?"Ifatrulyconvertedmanevertalkedlikethat;or, ifsuchathoughteveroccurredtohim,hemusthavesaidatonce, "Get theebehindme,Satan, for thou savourestnot the things that be of God." Such talks as that would be diabolical.Shallwe sin, that gracemay abound?God forbid! "Though theman ispardoned,hehatessinastheburntchilddreadsthefire.Heisafraidlest,byanyinadvertent,step,heshouldgrievehisLord,whohasblottedoutthepast.

Further, trueconversiongivesamanperfect rest,butdoesnot stophisprogress.Heknowsthattheworkthathassavedhimisthefinishedworkof theLordJesusChrist,andthathehasnot toaddevenonethreadtotherobeofrighteousnesswhichhasbeengiventohim;yethedesiresttogrow in grace, to become holier and holier, more like his Lord andMaster.WhileheperfectlyrestsinChrist,hespreadsthewingsofhissoulthathemayflyhigherandhighertowardshisLordandMaster.

Again,trueconversiongivesamansecurity,butitdoesnotallowhimtoleaveoffbeingwatchful.Heknowsthatheissafe,andthatheshallneverperish,neithershallanypluckhimoutofChrist'shands;butheisalwaysonthewatchagainsteveryenemy,—againsttheworld,theflesh,andthedevil.Oneofourhymn-writersputsthisdoubletruthverysweetly,—

"WehavenofearthatthoushouldstloseOnewhometernallovecouldchooseButwewouldne'erthisgraceabuse,Letusnotfall.Letusnotfall."

Trueconversionalsogivesamanstrengthandholiness,butitneverletshimboast.Heglories,buthegloriesonly in theLord.Heknows that agreat changehasbeenwrought inhim,buthe still sees somuchofhisownimperfectionsthathemournsoverthembeforetheLord.Hehasnotimeforboastingbecauseallhistimeis takenupwithrepentingforhissins,believinginhisSavior,andseekingtolivetothepraiseandgloryofGod.

True conversion likewise gives a harmony to all the duties of Christianlife.ItmakesamanlovehisGodbetter,andlovehisfellow-menbetter.Ihavenoopinionof thatreligionwhichconsists inaso-calledprofessionofreligionwhichmakesayoungwomanleaveherfatherandmother,andallherfamily,andgoandshutherselfupinaconvent,orbecomeasisterof misery of some sort or other. If my child, when he says that he isconverted,leavesofflovinghisfather,Ihaveverygravedoubtsabouthisconversion;Ithinkitmustbeaconversionwroughtbythedevil,notbyGod.ButwhereverthereistruelovetoGod,thereissuretobelovetoourfellow-men also. The same God who wrote on one table certaincommands in reference to himself, wrote on the other table thecommandswithregardtoourfellow-men."ThoushaltlovetheLordthyGod," is certainly a divine command; and so is the other, "and thyneighbor as thyself." True conversion balances all duties, emotions,hopes,andenjoyments

TrueconversionbringsamantoliveforGod.Hedoeseverythingfortheglory ofGod,—whether he eats, or drinks' orwhatsoever he does. TrueconversionmakesamanlivebeforeGod.HeusedtotrytofancythatGoddidnotseehim;but,now,hedesirestoliveasinGod'ssightatalltimes,andheisgladtobethere,—gladeventhatGodshouldseehissin,thathemayblotitoutassoonaseverhebeholdsit.AndsuchamannowcomestolivewithGod.Hehasblessedcommunionwithhim;hetalkswithhimasamantalkswithhis friend;and,by-and-by,heshalldwellwithGod,throughouteternity,inthepalaceabove.Thisoughttoconvinceyouwhatanexcellentthingtrueandrealconversionis

III. I have no need to say much, in the third place, concerning THECONSEQUENTEXCELLENCEOFTHEWORDOFGOD.ThelawoftheLord, which accomplishes such an excellent work, must be itself

excellent.Iwill,therefore,onlymakeoneortwobriefremarks,andthenclose.

"ThelawoftheLordisperfect,convertingthesoul,"rightawayfromthebeginningofconversiontotheend.Wheneverwewanttohaveconverts,—andIhopethatisalways,—thebestthingforustodoisto"preachtheWord."Thereisnothingbetter;therecanbenothingmore;theremustbenothingless.Idonotwonderthat, insomechurchesandchapels, therearenoconversions,becausethesermonsthatarepreachedtherearenotadapted to that end.They are like a book I reviewed, the other day, ofwhich I said, that there was, possibly, one person in the world whounderstoodit,andthatwasthewriterofthebook;andthat,ifhedidnotreaditthrougheverymorning,hecertainlywouldnotknow,thenextday,whathemeantbyit.Insomesuchfashionasthat,therearesermonsthatareso involved,perplexing,metaphysical,andIknownotwhatbesides,that I do not see how any souls can ever be converted by them. Thepeopleneedtohaveadictionaryinthepew,insteadofaBible;theyneedneverturntoanyBiblicalreferences,buttheyneedsomeonetoexplaintothem themeaning of the hardwords which the preacher is so fond ofusing.Have I not also read sermons, whichwere very highly polished,andwhich,Idaresay,wereprecededbyaprayerthatGodwouldconvertsouls by them? But it wasmorally impossible that the Lord should doanything of the sort, unless he reversed all his usual methods ofprocedure, for there was nothing in the sermon that could have beenmadethemeansoftheconversionofasoul.But,mydearbrother,ifyoupreachtheWordofGod,ifyouliftupthecrucifiedChristonthepoleofthegospel,youneednotbeveryparticularaboutthestyleofyourspeech.Youneednot say, "Imustbe a first-class speaker; Imustbe a brainedrhetorician." I believe that a great deal of that first-class speaking issimply themeansofveiling thecrossofChrist,and that fine talkaboutJesusChristisaboutthelastthingthatpoorsinnersneed.Isatatahoteltable, in Mentone, one evening at dinner, and I wanted to speak to afriend who was sitting opposite to me, but someone had put a mostmagnificentbouquetofflowersinaverysplendidvasebetweenus.Iwasgrateful that those flowers bloomed in themiddle ofwinter, and Iwaspleasedtoseeandtosmell them;but,by-and-by,Imovedthemononesidebecause they stood in thewayofmyviewofmy friends face.So, I

admirefinelanguage,nobodyenjoysitmorethanIdoinitsproperplace;IeventhinkthatIcouldmanagealittleof itmyself ifIweretotry.Butwhenever itstandsbetweenapoorsoulandChrist,Ishould liketosay,"Breakthatvaseintoathousandpieces,flingthoseflowersintothefire;wedonotwantthemthere,forwewantthepoorsinnertoseeChrist."ItistheWordofGodthatconvertsthesoul;notourprettyfiguresabouttheWord;notour fine talkabout it, but theWord itself. So,dear teachers,anddearbrother-ministers,letusgivethemtheWord.Yes,thatisaveryhandsome scabbard;but, if you are going to fight, youmustpull it off;and there is nothing like the naked blade, the sword of the Spirit, theWordofGod,tocut,andhew,andhack,andkill,inaspiritualsense;thatsameWordwill, byGod's almighty grace,makemenalive again, sowemust"preachtheWord"ifwewanttohaveconversions.

There isanother thing that I feel Imustsay toyou.Wemustnot thinkthat,inordertohaveconversions,itisnecessarytoleaveoutanypartofthe gospel. I am afraid that some people think: that, if you stand andshout,"Believe,believe,believe,believe,believe,believe,believeyouwillconvertanynumberofpeople;butitisnotso.Youmusttellyourhearerswhat they have to believe; you must give them the Word of God, thedoctrines of the gospel; for the people, who are said to be convertedwithout being taught from the Scriptures, will very soon need to be"converted"again.Theremustbe shotand shell inourguns if any realexecutionistobedone;blowingoffalotofpowder,andmakingagreatnoise,maysoundverywellforatime,butitcomestonothingintheend.Just the same gospel-adapted as to its tone andmethod, but the samegospel—thatIpreachinthisplace,Iwouldpreachinathieves'kitchen,orto thepoorest of thepoor, and themost illiterate ofmankind. It is thegospel,andonlythegospel,thatwillconvertthesoul.

Now,dearfriends,youwhoarenotconverted,myclosingwordistoyou.If you really wish for strength, life, salvation, you will get it throughhearingtheWordofGod,orthroughreadingthispreciousBook."Faithcometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Eyegate is notusually thewaybywhich Immanuel rides into thecityofMansoul.Thelifting up of the host, the pretty decorations on the priest's robe, thecrucifix,thestationsofthecross,andallthatRomishmummery,willsave

nobody. That is not God's way of salvation; but Christ comes intoMansoul through Eargate. "Incline your ear, and came unto me; hear,andyoursoulshall live."Wheneverthegospel ispreached,dearhearer,do really hear it. Remember how our Lord Jesus Christ said, "He thathathears tohear, lethimhear."Somepeopledonothear. Ihaveoftenbeenthankful,whenIhaveheardsomepeopletalk,thatIhavetwoears,because,thoughtheirconversationgoesinatoneear,IthankGodIcanletitgooutoftheother,andsoitdoesmenohurt.Butifyouarehearingthegospel,mindthatyoudonotactlikethat.ThenletyourtwoearsbetwoentrancesfortheWord.Donothaveoneforentrance,andtheotherforexit;but"lettheWordofChristdwellinyourichlyinallwisdom."Letit go in at both ears, and remain in yourmemory until it reaches yourheart. I donot believe that anybody is an earnest andattentive hearer,longingtoheartohissoul'sprofit,withouthissohearingifthegospelispreachedtohim.AsIhavealreadytoldyou, thepromise is, "Hear,andyour soul shall live;" and if you come with a willingmind,—willing tojudge, and weigh, and then to believe theWord,—themoment you dobelieve it, youare saved.ThatWordofGod,which leadsyou tobelievehasalreadyconvertedyou;so,comeout,andconfesswhatGodhasdoneforyou,and thengoonyourway rejoicingMayGodblesseveryoneofyouwithoutasingleexception,forhisname'ssake!Amen.

TheSweetUsesofAdversity

"Shewmewhereforethoucontendestwithme."—Job10:2.

AndwillGodcontendwithman?IfGodbeangry,canhenottakeawaythebreathofhisnostrils,andlayhimlowinthedustofearth?IftheheartoftheAlmightybemoveduntohotdispleasure,canhenotspeakinhisanger,andwillnotthesoulofmansinkintothelowesthell?WillGodcontend—willhesethimselfinbattlearrayagainsthiscreature?andsuchacreature?—thecreatureofanhour—athingthat isnot,that ishereto-day and gone to-morrow? Will the Almighty contend with thenothingness of man?Will the everlasting God take up the weapons ofwar,andgoouttofightagainsttheinsectofaday?Wellmightwecryout

tohim, "afterwhom ismyLord theKinggone forth?Afteradeaddog:after a flea?" Wilt thou hunt the partridge on the mountains with anarmy,andwiltthougoforthagainstagnatwithshieldandspear?ShalltheeverlastingGodwhofaintethnot,neitherisweary,atwhosereproofthe pillars of heaven's starry roof tremble and start—will he becomecombatant with a creature? Yet our text saith so. It speaks of God'scontendingwithman.Ah,surely,mybrethren,itneedsbutlittlelogictounderstandthatthisnotacontentionofanger,butacontentionoflove.Itneeds, methinks, but a short sight for us to discover that, if Godcontendethwithman,itmustbeacontentionofmercy.Theremustbeadesignofloveinthis.Ifhewereangryhewouldnotcondescendtoreasonwithhiscreature,andtohaveastrifeofwordswithhim;muchlesswouldheputonhisbuckler,andlayholdonhissword,tostandupinbattleandcontendwith sucha creatureasman.Youwill allperceiveatonce thatthere must be love even in this apparently angry word; that thiscontentionmust,afterall,havesomething todowithcontentment, andthat this battle must be, after all, but a disguised mercy, but anothershapeofanembracefromtheGodoflove.CarrythisconsolingreflectioninyourthoughtswhileIampreachingtoyou;andifanyofyouaresayingto-day, "Shewmewherefore thou contendestwithme," the very fact ofGodcontendingwithyouatall, the fact thathehasnotconsumedyou,that he has not smitten you to the lowest hell, may thus, at the veryoutset,affordconsolationandhope.

Now,Iproposetoaddressmyselftothetwoclassesofpersonswhoaremakinguseofthisquestion.First,Ishallspeaktothetriedsaint;andthenIshallspeaktotheseekingsinner,whohasbeenseekingpeaceandpardon through Christ, but who has not as yet found it, but, on thecontrary,hasbeenbuffetedbythelaw,anddrivenawayfromthemercy-seatindespair.

I.First,then,toTHECHILDOFGOD.Ihave—IknowIhave—inthisgreatassembly,somewhohavecometoJob'sposition.Theyaresaying,"Mysouliswearyofmylife;Iwillleavemycomplaintuponmyself;Iwillspeakinthebitternessofmysoul.IwillsayuntoGod,Donotcondemnme; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me." Sometimes toquestionGod iswicked.As themenofBethshemeshwere smittenwith

deathwhentheydaredtoliftupthelidofthearkandlookintoitssacredmysteries, so is it often death to our faith to question God. It oftenhappensthatthesorestplaguescomeuponusonaccountofanimpudentcuriosity which longs to pry between the folded leaves of God's greatcouncil-book, and find out the reason for his mysterious providences.But,methinks this is aquestion thatmay be asked. Inquiring herewillnot be merely curious: for there will be a practical affect followingtherefrom.TriedsainttfollowmewhileIseekto lookintothismysteryand answer your question, and I pray you, select that one of severalanswers which I shall propound, which shall, to your judgment,enlightenedbytheHolySpirit,seemtobetherightone.Youhavebeentriedbytroubleaftertrouble:businessrunscrossagainstyou;sicknessisneveroutofyourhouse;whileinyourownpersonyouarethecontinualsubjectofasaddepressionofspirit.ItseemsasifGodwerecontendingwith you, and you are asking, "Why is this" 'Shewme wherefore thoucontendestwithme.?'

1.MyfirstansweronGod'spart,mybrother,isthis—itmaybethatGod is contending with thee that he may show his own power inupholdingthee.Goddelightethinhissaints;andwhenamandelightsinhischild,ifitbeachildnotedforitsbrightnessofintellect,hedelightstoseeitputthroughhardquestions,becauseheknowsthatitwillbeabletoanswer themall. SoGod glories inhis children.He loves to hear themtried, that thewholeworldmaysee that there isnone like themon thefaceoftheearth,andevenSatanmaybecompelledbeforehecanfindanaccusation against them, to resort to his inexhaustible fund of lies.SometimesGodonpurposeputshischildreninthemidstofthisworld'strials.Ontheright,left,before,behind,theyaresurrounded.Withinandwithoutthebattlerages.ButtherestandsthechildofGod,calmamidstthe bewildering cry, confident of victory. And then the Lord pointethjoyouslytohissaint,andhesaith,"See,Satan,heismorethanamatchfor thee.Weak though he is, yet through my power, he all things canperform."AndsometimesGodpermitsSatanhimselftocomeagainstoneofhischildren;andtheblackfiendofhellindragon'swings,meetsapoorChristianjustwhenheisfaintandwearyfromstumblingsinthevalleyofhumiliation.Thefightislongandterrible,and,wellitmaybe,foritisawormcombatingwith thedragon.Butseewhat thatwormcando. It is

troddenunderfoot,andyetitdestroystheheelthattreadsuponit.WhentheChristianiscastdownheuttersacry,"Rejoicenotoverme,Omineenemy,forthoughIfallyetshallIriseagain."AndsoGodpointethtohischildandwith,"Seethere!seewhatIcando:Icanmakefleshandbloodmoremightythanthemostcunningspirit;Icanmakepoorfeeblefoolishman,morethanamatchforallthecraftandmightofSatan."AndwhatwillyousaytothisthirdproofthatGodputsusthrough?SometimesGoddothas itwere,himself enter into the lists; oh, let uswonder to tell it.Godtoprovethestrengthoffaith,sometimeshimselfmakeswaronfaith.Thinknotthatthisisastretchoftheimagination.Itisplainsimplefact.HaveyeneverheardofthebrookJabbok,andofthatangel-clothedGodwhofoughtwithJacobthere,andpermittedJacobtoprevail?Whatwasthis for? It was this: thus had God determined, "I will strengthen thecreaturesomuch,thatIwillpermitittoovercomeitsCreator."Oh,whatnoble work is this, that while God is casting down his child with onehand,heshouldbeholdinghimupwith theother: lettingameasure ofomnipotence fall on him to crush him, while the like omnipotencesupports him under the tremendous load. The Lord shows the world—"Seewhatfaithcando!"WelldoesHartsingoffaith—

"Ittreadsontheworldandonhell;Itvanquishesdeathanddespair;And,O!letuswondertotell,Itovercomesheavenbyprayer."

ThisiswhyGodcontendswiththee:toglorifyhimself,byshowingtoangels, tomen, todevils,howhe canput suchstrength into poor punyman,thathecancontendwithhisMaker,andbecomeaprevailingprincelikeIsrael,whoasaprincehadpowerofGod,andprevailed.This,then,maybethefirstreason.

2.Letmegiveyouasecondanswer.Perhaps,Otriedsoul!theLordisdoingthistodevelopethygraces.Therearesomeofthygracesthatwouldneverbediscoveredifitwerenotforthytrials.Dostthounotknowthatthyfaithnever lookssograndinsummerweather,as itdoes inwinter?Hastthounotheardthatloveistoooftenlikeaglow-worm,thatshowethbut little light except it be in themidst of surrounding darkness? Anddost thounotknow thathope itself is like a star—not tobe seen in the

sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night ofadversity?Dost thounotunderstand that afflictions areoften theblackfoils inwhichGoddoth set the jewels of his children's graces, tomakethemshinethebetter.Itwasbutalittlewhileagothatonthykneesthouwestsaying,"Lord,IfearIhavenofaith:letmeknowthatIhavefaith."Butdostthouknowthouwastprayingfortrials,forthoucanstnotknowthat thouhast faith,until thy faithbeexercised.Our trials, so tospeak,are like wayfarers in a wood. When there is no intruder in the silentgladesof the forest, thehare and thepartridge lie; and there they rest,andnoeyeseesthem.Butwhentheintrudingfootstepisheard,thenyouseethemstartandrunalongthegreenlane,andyouhearthewhirrofthepheasantasitseekstohideitself.Now,ourtrialsareintrudersuponourheart'srest;ourgracesstartupandwediscover them.Theyhad lain intheir lair, theyhad slept in their forms, they lead rested in their nests,unless these intruding trials had startled them from their places. Irememberasimpleruralmetaphorusedbyadeparteddivine.Hesayshewasneververyskillfulatbirds'nestinginthesummertime,buthecouldalwaysfindbirds'nestsinthewinter.Now,itoftenhappensthatwhenaman has but little grace, you can scarcely see itwhen the leaves of hisprosperityareonhim;butletthewinter'sblastcomeandsweepawayhiswitheredleaves,andthenyoudiscoverhisgraces.Dependupon it,Godoftensendsustrialsthatourgracesmaybediscovered,andthatwemaybecertifiedoftheirexistence.Besides,itisnotmerelydiscovery,itisrealgrowththat istheresultofthesetrials.Thereisa littleplant,smallandstunted,growingundertheshadeofabroodspreadingoak;andthislittleplant values the shade which covers it, and greatly does it esteem thequiet restwhich its noble friend affords. But a blessing is designed forthislittleplant.Onceuponatimetherecomesalongthewoodman,andwith his sharp axe he fells the oak. The plant weeps, and cries, "Myshelterisdeparted:everyroughwindwillblowuponme,andeverystormwillseektouprootme.""No,no,"saiththeangelofthatflower,"nowwillthe sun get at thee; now will the shower fall on thee in more copiousabundance than before; now thy stunted form shall spring up intoloveliness, and thy flower, which could never have expanded itself toperfection, shall now laugh in the sunshine, and men shall say, 'Howgreatly hath that plant increased! how glorious hath become its beautythroughtheremovalofthatwhichwasitsshadeanditsdelight!'"Seeyou

not, then,thatGodmaytakeawayyourcomfortsandyourprivilegestomakeyouthebetterChristians?Why,theLordalwaystrainshissoldiers,notbylettingthemlieonfeatherbeds,butbyturningthemoutandusingthem to forcedmarches andhard serviceHemakes them ford throughstreams,andswimthroughrivers,andclimbmountains,andwalkmanyalongmarchwithheavyknapsacksofsorrowontheirbacks.Thisistheway in which he makes soldiers—not by dressing them up in fineuniforms,toswaggeratthebarrackgates,andtobefinegentlemenintheeyesof the loungers inthepark.Godknowsthatsoldiersareonlytobemadeinbattle;theyarenottobegrowninpeacefultimes.Wemaygrowthestuffofwhichsoldiersaremade,butwarriorsarereallyeducatedbythe smell of powder, in the midst of whizzing bullets, and roaringcannonades—notinsoftandpeacefultimes.Well,Christian,maynotthisaccount for it all? Is not thy Lord bringing out thy graces andmakingthemgrow?Thisisthereasonwhyheiscontendingwithyou.

3.Anotherreasonmaybefoundinthis.ItmaybetheLordcontendswith thee because thou hast some secret sin which is doing thee soredamage. Dost thou remember the story ofMoses?Never a man betterbelovedthanheoftheLordhisGod,forhewasfaithfulinallhishouseasaservant.ButdostthourememberhowtheLordmethimonthewayashewasgoingtoEgypt,andstrovewithhim?findwhy?Becausehehadinhishouseanuncircumcisedchild.This childwas, so long as it hadnotGod'ssealuponit,asininMoses;thereforeGodstrovewithhimtillthethingwasdone.Now,toooftenwehavesomeuncircumcisedthinginourhouse,somejoythatisevil,someamusementthatissinful,somepursuitthat isnotagreeable tohiswill.And theLordmeetsus often ashedidMoses,ofwhomitiswritten—"TheLordmethimbythewayintheinn,and sought to kill him."—Exodus 4:24.Now search and look, for if theconsolationsofGodbesmallwith thee, there is somesecret sinwithin.Putitaway,lestGodsmitetheestillmoresorely,andvextheeinhishotdispleasure.Trialsoftendiscoversins—sinsweshouldneverhavefoundout if ithadnotbeen for them.Weknowthat thehouses inRussiaarevery greatly infested with rats and mice. Perhaps a stranger wouldscarcely notice them at first, but the time when you discover them iswhenthehouseisonfire;thentheypouroutinmultitudes.AndsodothGodsometimesburnupourcomforts tomakeourhiddensinsrunout;

andthenheenablesustoknockthemontheheadandgetridof them.Thatmaybethereasonofyourtrial,toputanendtosomelong-fosteredsin.Itmaybe,too,that inthiswayGodwouldpreventsomefuturesin,somesinhiddenfromthineowneyesintowhichthouwouldstsoonfallifitwerenotforhistroublingtheebyhisprovidence.TherewasafairshipwhichbelongedtothegreatMasteroftheseas;itwasabouttosailfromthe port of grace to the haven of glory. Ere it left the shore the greatMastersaid,"Mariners,bebrave!Captain,bethoubold!fornotahairofyourheadshallperish;Iwillbringyousafelytoyourdesiredhaven.Theangelofthewindsiscommissionedtotakecareofyouonyourway."Theship sailed right merrily with its streamers flying in the air. It floatedalongataswiftratewithafairwindformanyandmanyaday.Butonceuponatimetherecameahurricanewhichdrovethemfromthecourse,strainedtheirmastuntilitbentasif itmustsnapintwain.Thesailwasgone to ribbons; the sailors were alarmed and the captain himselftrembled.Theyhadlosttheircourse."Theywereoutof therighttrack,"they said; and they mourned exceedingly. When the day dawned thewaveswerequiet,andtheangelof thewindsappeared;and they spokeuntohim,andsaid,"Ohangel,wastthounotbiddentotakechargeofus,andpreserveusonour journeys?"Heanswered, "Itwaseven so, and Ihavedone it.Youwere steeringon right confidently, andyouknewnotthatalittleaheadofyourvessellayaquicksanduponwhichshewouldbewreckedand swallowedupquick. I saw that therewasnoway for yourescape but to drive you from your course. See, I have done as it wascommanded me: go on your way." Ah, this is a parable of our Lord'sdealingswithus.Heoftendrivesus fromour smooth coursewhichwethoughtwastherighttracktoheaven.Butthereisasecretreasonforit;there is a quicksand ahead that is not marked in the chart. We knownothingaboutit;butGodseethit,andhewillnotpermitthisfairvessel,whichhehashimself insured, tobestrandedanywhere;hewillbring itsafelytoitsdesiredhaven.

4.Ihavenowanotherreasontogive,butitisonewhichsomeofyouwillnotunderstand;somehoweverwill.Beloved,yerememberthatit iswritten,thatwe"mustbeartheimageoftheheavenly,"namely,theimageof Christ. As he was in this world even somust we be.Wemust havefellowshipwithhim inhissufferings, thatwemaybeconformableunto

his death. Hast thou never thought that none can be like the Man ofSorrowunlesstheyhavesorrowstoo?Howcanyoubelikeuntohim,whosweatas itweregreatdropsofblood, ifyoudonotsometimessay,"Mysoulisexceedingsorrowful,evenuntodeath."Thinknot,Owell-beloved,that thou canst be like the thorn-crowned head, and yet never feel thethorn.Canst thoube like thydyingLord, and yet beuncrucified?Mustthyhandbewithoutanail,andthyfootwithoutawound?Canstthoubelikehim,unless likehim thouart compelled to say, "MyGod,myGod,whyhastthouforsakenme?"Godischisellingyou—youarebutaroughblock—heismakingyouintotheimageofChrist;andthatsharpchiselistakingawaymuchwhichprevents your being like him.Must hewho isourheadbemarredinhisvisagebyreasonofgrief,andmustweforeverrejoiceandsing?Itcannotbe.

"Theheirsofsalvation,Iknowfromhisword,ThroughmuchtribulationmustfollowtheirLord."

SweetistheafflictionwhichgivesusfellowshipwithChrist.Blessedistheploughthatploughsdeepfurrows,ifthefurrowsbelikehis.Blessedisthemouththatspitsuponus, if thespittlebefromthesamecauseasthatwhichdefiledhisface.Blessedarethenailsandthorns,andvinegarandspear,iftheybutmakeussomewhatliketohim,inwhosegloryweshallbepartakerswhenweshallseehimasheis.Thisisamatterwhichall cannot understand, for it is a path which no unhallowed foot hathtrodden,andnocarelesseyehathsomuchasseenit.Butthetruebelievercanrejoicetherein,forhehashadfellowshipwithChristinhissufferings.

5.TothechildOfGodIshallgiveonlyonemorereason.TheLord,itmaybe,contendethwiththee,mybrother,tohumblethee.Wearealltooproud;thehumblestofusdobutapproachtothedooroftruehumility.Wearetooproud,forpride,Isuppose,runsinourveryveins,andisnotto be gotten out of us anymore than themarrow from our bones.Weshallhavemanyblowsbeforewearebroughtdowntotherightmark;andit isbecausewearesocontinuallygettingup thatGod is socontinuallyputtingusdownagain.Besides, don't you feel, in lookingbackon yourpast troubles, that you have after all been best when you have hadtroubles? I can truly say, there is amournfulness in joy, and there is asweet joy in sorrow. I do not know how it is, but that bitter wine of

sorrow,whenyouoncegetitdowngivessuchawarmthtotheinnermanaseventhewineofLebanoncanscarceafford. Itactswithsucha tonicinfluenceuponthewholesystem,thattheveryveinsbegintothrillasthebloodleapstherein.Strangeinfluence!Iamnophysician,butyetIknowthatmysweetcupoftenleavesbitternessonthepalate,andmybittercupalwaysleavesasweetflavourinthemouth.ThereisasweetjoyinsorrowI cannot understand. There is music in this harp with its strings allunstrung and broken. There are a fewnotes I hear from thismournfullute that I never get from the loud-sounding trumpet. Softness andmelodywegetfromthewailofsorrow,whichwenevergetfromthesongofjoy.Mustwenotaccountforthisbythefactthatinourtroubleswelivenearer toGod?Our joy is like thewave as it dashesupon theshore—itthrowsusontheearth.Butoursorrowsarelikethatrecedingwavewhichsucks us back again into the great depth of Godhead.We should havebeenstrandedandlefthighanddryupontheshoreifithadnotbeenforthatrecedingwave,thatebbingofourprosperity,whichcarriedusbacktoourFatherandtoourGodagain.Blessedaffliction!ithasbroughtustothemercy seat; given life toprayer; enkindled love; strengthened faith;broughtChrist into the furnacewithus,and thenbroughtusoutof thefurnacetolivewithChristmorejoyouslythanbefore.

Surely,Icannotanswerthisquestionbetter.IfIhavenothitupontherightreason,searchandlookmydearlybeloved;forthereasonisnotfaroffifyebutlookforit—thereasonwhyhecontendethwithyou.

II. I have thus donewith the saints; I shall now turnmyself toaddressTHESEEKINGSINNER,whoiswonderingthathehasfoundnopeaceandcomfort.Bytheway—runningalittleapartfromthesubject—Iheard a brother saying the other evening in describing his experience,thatbeforehewasconvertedheWasneversick,neverhadanafflictionatall, but from the very hour when he became converted, he found thattrialsandtroublescameuponhimverythick.Ihavebeenthinkingofthatever since, and I think I have found a reason for it. When we areconverted,itisthetimeofthesingingofbirds;butdoyouknowthetimeofthesingingofbirdsisthetimeofthepruningofvines,andassureasthetimeofthesingingofbirdsiscomethetimeofthepruningofvinesiscomealso.Godbegins to try us as soon as he begins tomake our soul

sing.This isnotrunningawayfromthesubject. I thought itwas.Ithasjustbroughtmetoaddressthesinner.Youhavecomeherethismorningsayingtoyourself,"Sir,notlongagoIwasawakenedtoasenseofmylostestate.AsIwasdirectedIwenthomeandsoughtmercyinprayer.FromthatdaytillnowIhaveneverceasedtopray.But,alas!Igetnocomfort,sir; I grow worse than ever I was before—I mean I grow moredesponding, more sad. If you had asked me before conviction, sir,whetherthepathtoheavenwaseasy,Ishouldhavesaid'yes.'Butnowitseems tome to be strewnwith flints. That Iwouldnotmindbut, alas!methinks the gate is shut which lies at the end of the road; for I haveknocked,andithasneveropened;Ihaveasked,andIhavenotreceived;Ihave sought, and I have not found. In fact, instead of getting peace Ireceiveterror.Godiscontendingwithme.Canyoutellme,sir,whyitis?"Iwilltrytoanswerthequestion,Godhelpingme.

1.My first answer shall be this.Perhaps,mydearhearer,God iscontendingwith you for awhile, because as yet you are not thoroughlyawakened.Remember,Christwillnothealyourwoundtillhehasprobedittoitsverycore.Christisnounqualifiedphysician,nofoolishsurgeon,whowouldcloseupawoundwithproudflesh in it;buthewill takethelances,andcut,andcut,andcutagaincrossways,andhewilllaythesoreopen,expose it, look into it,make it smart; and thenafter that, hewillclose up its mouth and make it whole. Perhaps thou hast not as yetknown thine own vileness, thine own lost state. Now, Christ will havetheeknowthypovertybeforehewillmaketheerich.HisHolySpiritwillconvincetheeofsin,ofrighteousness,andofjudgmenttocome.Hewillstrip thee, and though the pulling off of thy own righteousness be likeflayingtheeandtearingofftheskinfromthybreast,yethewilldoit; forhewillnot clothe theewith the robeofhisownrighteousness till everyrag of thy own self-sufficiency is pulled away. This is why God iscontendingwith thee.Thouhastbeenon thyknees.Go lower,man—golower; fall flat on thy face. Thou hast said, "Lord, I am nothing." Golower, man; say, "Lord, I am less than nothing and the very chief ofsinners." Thou hast felt somewhat; go ask that thoumayest feelmore;maybeyetmorefullyconvincedofsin—maylearntohateitwithamoreperfect hatred, and to bewail thy lost estate with a wailing like that ofRamah,whenRachelweptforherchildrenandwouldnotbecomforted

becausetheywerenot.Seektoknowthebottomofyourcase.Makeitamatterof conscience to look thy sins in the face,and lethell alsoblazebefore thee: realize the fact that thou deservest to be lost for ever. Sitdown often and take counsel with the Lord thy God, whom thou hastgrievouslyoffended.Thinkofthyprivileges,andhowthouhastdespisedthem;recollecttheinvitationsthouhastheard,andhowoftenthouhastrejectedthem;getapropersenseofsin,anditmaybethatGodwillceasetocontendwiththee,becausethegoodisallobtainedwhichhesoughttogivetheebythislongandpainfulcontention.

2.AnotheranswerIwillgiveyouisthis:perhapsGodcontendswiththeeinordertotrythyearnestness.TherearemanyMr.Pliables,whosetout on the road toheaven for a little time, and the first boggy piece ofroadtheycometo, theycreepoutonthat sidewhich isnearest to theirownhouse,andgobackagain.Now,Godmeetseverypilgrimontheroadto heaven and contends with him. If you can hold your own, and say,"ThoughheslaymeyetwillItrustinhim;"ifyoucandaretodoit,andbeimportunatewithGod,andsay,"Thoughheneverhearme, ifIperishIwillpray,andperishonlythere;"thenyouhavegotthemasteryandyoushallsucceed.God'sSpiritisteachingyouhowtowrestleandagonizeinprayer.Ihaveseenaman,whenhehasbecomesolemnlyinearnestabouthis soul, pray as though he was a very Samson, with the two gates ofmercy inhishand, rocking them to and fro as thoughhewould soonerpull themup—gates, and bar, and all—than hewould go awaywithoutobtaining a blessing. God loves to see a man mighty in prayer, intentupon getting the blessing, resolved that he will have Christ, or he willperishseekinghim.Now,beinearnest.Cryaloud!sparenot!Riseinthenight-watches!pouroutyourheartlikewaterbeforetheLord,forhewillanswertheewhenhehathheardthevoiceofthycrying;hewillhearkentothysupplicationandgivetheethedesireofthyheart.

3.Yet,again,anothermatter."Mayitnotbe,mydearhearers,thatthe reasonwhyGodcontendswith youanddoesnot give youpeace is,becauseyouareharbouringsomeonesin"Now,Iwillnotsaywhatitis;Ihave known aman solemnly under conviction of sin, but the companywhich he kept on market-day was of such a caste, that until he wasseparated entirely from his companions, it was not possible he should

havepeace.Idonotknowwhatyourpeculiarbesettingsinmaybe.Itmaybe a love for frivolity; itmaybe thedesire to associatewith thosewhoamuseyou;itmaybeworse.Butremember,Christandthysoulwillneverbeonetillthouandthysinsaretwo.Thydesiresandlongingsmustmakeacleansweepof thedevilandallhis crew,orelseChristwillnotcomeanddwellwiththee."Well,"saysone,"butIcannotbeperfect."No,butyoucannotfindpeacetillyoudesiretobe.Whereveryouharbourasin,thereyouharbourmisery.Onesinwilfullyindulgedin,andnotforsakenbytruerepentance,willdestroythesoul.Sinsgivenuparelikegoodscastoutatseabythemarinersindaysofstorm;theylightentheship,andtheshipwillneverfloattillyouhavethrownallyoursinsoverboard.Thereisnohopewhateverforyoutillyoucantrulysay,

"Whate'erconsistsnotwiththylove,Ohelpmetoresign."

"ThedearestidolIhaveknown,Whate'erthatidolbe,Helpmetotearitfromitsthrone,Andworshiponlythee."

4.ThendrawingneartoaconclusionletmehaveyourmostsolemnattentionwhileIgiveonemorehintastothereasonwhyyouhavenotyetfound peace. My dear hearers, perhaps it is because you do notthoroughlyunderstandtheplanofsalvation.Idofeelthatallministers,—and here perhaps, I am as great a sinner as any other, and I condemnmyselfwhile I chastise others—we all of us do in someway or other, Ifear,helptodimthe lustreofGod'sgrace,asmanifestedinthecrossofChrist.OftenamIafraidlestIshouldpreferCalvinismtoCalvary,lestIshould put the sinner's sense of need like a quickset hedge round thecross,andkeepthepoorsinnerfromgettingasnearashewouldtothebleedingLambofGod.Ah,mydearhearers, remember ifyouwouldbesaved, your salvation comeswholly and entirely from Jesus Christ, thedyingSonofGod.Viewhimyonder,sinner,sweatinginthegarden!Seethereddropsofbloodastheyfallfromthatdearface!Oh,seehimsinner,seehiminPilate'shall.Viewthestreamsofgoreastheygushfromthoselaceratedshoulders.Seehim,sinner,seehimonhiscross!Viewthatheadstillmarkedwiththewoundswithwhichthethornspiercedhistemples!

Oh, view that face emaciated andmarred! See the spittle still hangingthere—the spittle of cruel mockers! See the eyes floating in tears withlanguidpity!Look,too,atthosehands,andviewthemastheystreamlikefountsofblood!Oh,standandlistenwhilehecries,"LamaSabacthani!"Sinner,thylifeisinhimthatdied;thyhealingisinyonderwounds;thysalvationisinhisdestruction."Oh,"saysone,"butIcannotbelieve."Ah,brother,thatwasoncemymournfulcry.ButIwilltellyouhowIcametobelieve. Once upon a time, I was trying tomakemyself believe, and avoicewhispered,"Vainman,vainman,ifthouwouldstbelieve,comeandsee!" Then theHoly Spirit ledme by the hand to a solitary place. Andwhile I stood there, suddenly there appeared before me One upon hiscross.Ilookedup,Ihadthennofaith.Isawhiseyessuffusedwithtears,andthebloodstillflowing:Isawhisenemiesabouthimhuntinghimtohisgrave;Imarkedhismiseriesunutterable;Iheardthegroaningwhichcannotbedescribed;andasIlookedup,heopenedhiseyesandsaidtome, "The Son ofMan is come into the world to seek and to save thatwhichwas lost." I clappedmyhands, and I said, "Jesus, I dobelieve, Imustbelievewhatthouhastsaid,Icouldnotbelievebefore,butthesightoftheehasbreathedfaithintomysoul.Idarenotdoubt—itweretreason,it were high treason to doubt thy power to save." Dissolved by hisagonies,Ifellontheground,andembracedhisfeet,andwhenIfell,mysinfellalso!AndIrejoicedinlovedivinethatblotsoutsinandsavesfromdeath.

Ohmyfriend,youwillnevergetfaithbytryingtomakeyourselfhaveit.FaithisthegiftofChrist!goandfinditinhisveins.Thereisasecretspotwherefaithistreasuredup;itisintheheartofChrist;goandcatchitsinner as it flows therefrom. Go to your chamber, and sit down andpictureChristinholyvision,dyingonthetree,andasyoureyesees,yourheart shall melt, your soul shall believe, and you shall rise from yourknees and cry, "I knowwhomImaybelieve, and I ampersuadedhe isabletosavethatwhichIhavecommittedtohimuntilthatday."

Andnow,maytheloveofChristJesus,andthegraceofhisFather,andthefellowshipofhisSpirit,bewithyouforeverandever.AmenandAmen.

FreeWill-ASlave

Andyewillnotcometome,thatyemighthavelife.-John5:40

ThisisoneofthegreatgunsoftheArminians,mounteduponthetopoftheir walls, and often discharged with terrible noise against the poorChristians calledCalvinists. I intend to spike the gun thismorning, or,rather,toturnitontheenemy,foritwasnevertheirs;itwasnevercastattheirfoundryatall,butwasintendedtoteachtheveryoppositedoctrineto thatwhich theyassert.Usually,when the text is taken, thedivisionsare:First,thatmanhasawill.Secondly,thatheisentirelyfree.Thirdly,thatmenmustmakethemselveswillingtocometoChrist,otherwisetheywill not be saved. Now, we shall have no such divisions; but we willendeavour to takeamore calm lookat thetext; andnot, because therehappen to be the words "will," or "will not" in it, run away with theconclusion that it teaches the doctrine of free-will. It has already beenprovedbeyondallcontroversythatfree-willisnonsense.Freedomcannotbelongtowillanymorethanponderabilitycanbelongtoelectricity.Theyarealtogetherdifferentthings.Freeagencywemaybelieve in,but free-will is simply ridiculous.Thewill iswellknownbyall tobedirectedbytheunderstanding,tobemovedbymotives,tobeguidedbyotherpartsofthe soul, and to be a secondary thing. Philosophy and religion bothdiscardatoncetheverythoughtoffree-will;andIwillgoasfarasMartinLuther, in that strongassertionofhis,wherehesays, "Ifanymandothascribeaughtofsalvation,eventheveryleast,tothefree-willofman,heknowethnothingofgrace,andhehathnotlearntJesusChristaright."Itmay seemaharsh sentiment; buthewho inhis soulbelieves thatmandoesofhisownfree-willturntoGod,cannothavebeentaughtofGod,forthatisoneofthefirstprinciplestaughtuswhenGodbeginswithus,thatwehaveneitherwillnorpower,butthathegivesboth;thatheis"AlphaandOmega"inthesalvationofmen.

Our four points, thismorning, shall be: First - that everyman is dead,because it says: "Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life."Secondly-thatthereislifeinJesusChrist:"Yewillnotcometome,thatyemighthavelife."Thirdly-thatthereislifeinChristJesusforeveryone

that comes for it: "Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life;"implyingthatallwhogowillhavelife.Andfourthly-thegistofthetextlieshere,thatnomanbynatureeverwillcometoChrist,forthetextsays,"Yewillnot come tome, thatyemighthave life."So far fromassertingthatmenoftheirownwillseverdosuchathing,itboldlyandflatlydeniesit,andsays,"YeWILLNOTcometome, thatyemighthave life."Why,beloved,Iamalmostreadytoexclaim,Haveallfree-willersnoknowledgethattheydaretorunintheteethofinspiration?Haveallthosethatdenythedoctrineofgracenosense?HavetheysodepartedfromGodthattheywrestthistoprovefree-will;whereasthetextsays,"YeWILLNOTcometomethatyemighthavelife."

I.First,then,ourtextimpliesTHATMENBYNATUREAREDEAD.Nobeingneedstogoafterlifeifhehaslifeinhimself.Thetextspeaksverystronglywhenitsays,"Yewillnotcomeuntome,thatyemighthavelife."Thoughitsaithitnotinwords,yetitdothineffectaffirmthatmenneedalifemorethantheyhavethemselves.Myhearers,wearealldeadunlesswe have been begotten unto a lively hope. First, we are all of us, bynature, legallydead-"Inthedaythatthoueatest thereofthoushalt diethe death," said God to Adam; and though Adam did not die in thatmoment naturally, he died legally; that is to say death was recordedagainsthim.Assoonas,attheOldBailey,thejudgeputsontheblackcapand pronounces the sentence, the man is reckoned to be dead at law.Though perhaps a month may intervene before he is brought on thescaffoldtoendurethesentenceofthelaw,yetthelawlooksuponhimasadead man. It is impossible for him to transact anything. He cannotinherit,hecannotbequeath;heisnothing-heisadeadman.Thecountryconsidershimnotasbeingaliveinitatall.Thereisanelection-heisnotaskedforhisvotebecauseheisconsideredasdead.Heisshutupinhiscondemned cell, and he is dead. Ah! and ye ungodly sinnerswho haveneverhadlifeinChrist,yearealivethismorning,byreprieve,butdoyeknowthatyearelegallydead;thatGodconsidersyouassuch,thatinthedaywhenyourfatherAdamtouchedthefruit,andwhenyouyourselvesdid sin, God, the Eternal Judge, put on the black cap and condemnedyou?Youtalkmightilyofyourownstanding,andgoodness,andmorality-whereisit?Scripturesaith,yeare"condemnedalready."Yearenottowaittobecondemnedatthejudgment-day-thatwillbetheexecutionof

the sentence - ye are "condemned already." In themoment ye sinned;yournameswereallwritten in theblackbookof justice; everyonewasthen sentenced by God to death, unless he found a substitute, in thepersonofChrist,forhissins.WhatwouldyouthinkifyouweretogointotheOldBailey,andseethecondemnedculpritsittinginhiscell,laughingandmerry?Youwouldsay,"Themanisafool,forheiscondemned,andistobeexecuted;yethowmerryheis."Ah!andhowfoolishistheworldlyman,who,whilesentenceisrecordedagainsthim,livesinmerrimentandmirth!Doyou think the sentenceofGod is of no effect?Thinkest thouthatthysinwhichiswrittenwithanironpenontherocksforeverhathno horrors in it? God hath said thou art condemned already. If thouwouldstbutfeelthis,itwouldminglebittersinthysweetcupsofjoy;thydances would be stopped, thy laughter quenched in sighing, if thouwouldstrecollectthatthouartcondemnedalready.Weoughtalltoweep,ifwelaythistooursouls:thatbynaturewehavenolifeinGod'ssight;weareactually,positivelycondemned;deathisrecordedagainstus,andweareconsidered in ourselves now, inGod's sight, asmuch dead as ifwewereactuallycastintohell;wearecondemnedherebysin,wedonotyetsuffer the penalty of it, but it is written against us, and we are legallydead,norcanwefindlifeunlesswefindlegallifeinthepersonofChrist,ofwhichmoreby-and-by.

But,besidesbeinglegallydead,wearealsospirituallydead.Fornotonlydidthesentencepassinthebook,butitpassedintheheart;itenteredtheconscience;itoperatedonthesoul,onthejudgment,ontheimagination,andoneverything."Inthedaythatthoueatestthereofthoushaltsurelydie,"was not only fulfilled by the sentence recorded, but by somethingwhichtookplaceinAdam.Justas,inacertainmoment,whenthisbodyshalldie, theblood stops, thepulse ceases, thebreathno longer comesfromthelungs,sointhedaythatAdamdideatthatfruithissouldied;hisimaginationlost itsmightypower to climb into celestial things and seeheaven,hiswill lost itspower always to choose thatwhich is good, hisjudgmentlostallabilitytojudgebetweenrightandwrongdecidedlyandinfallibly, though something was retained in conscience; his memorybecame tainted, liable toholdevil things, and let righteous thingsglideaway; everypowerofhimceasedas to itsmoral vitality.Goodnesswasthevitalityofhispowers-thatdeparted.Virtue,holiness,integrity,these

were the life ofman; butwhen these departedman became dead. Andnow, every man, so far as spiritual things are concerned, is "dead intrespassesandsins"spiritually.Noristhesoullessdeadinacarnalman,thanthebodyiswhencommittedtothegrave;itisactuallyandpositivelydead -notbyametaphor, forPaul speakethnot inmetaphor,whenheaffirms,"Youhathhequickenedwhoweredeadintrespassesandsins."Butmyhearers,again,IwouldIcouldpreachtoyourheartsconcerningthis subject. Itwas bad enoughwhen I describeddeathas having beenrecorded; but now I speak of it as having actually taken place in yourhearts.Yearenotwhatyeoncewere;yearenotwhatyewereinAdam,notwhatyewerecreated.Manwasmadepureandholy.Yearenottheperfectcreatures ofwhich someboast; ye are altogether fallen, ye havegoneoutoftheway,yehavebecomecorruptandfilthy.Oh!listennottothe siren song of those who tell you of your moral dignity, and yourmighty elevation inmatters of salvation. Ye are not perfect; that greatword, "ruin," iswrittenonyourheart;anddeath is stampeduponyourspirit. Do not conceive, O moral man, that thou wilt be able to standbeforeGodinthymorality,forthouartnothingbutacarcassembalmedinlegality,acorpsearrayedinsomefinerobes,butstillcorruptinGod'ssight. And think not, O thou possessor of natural religion! that thoumayestby thineownmight andpowermake thyself acceptable toGod.Why,man!thouartdead!andthoumayestarraythedeadasgloriouslyasthoupleasest,butstill itwouldbeasolemnmockery.There liethqueenCleopatra-putthecrownuponherhead,deckherinroyalrobes,lethersitinstate;butwhatacoldchillrunsthroughyouwhenyoupassbyher.Sheisfairnow,eveninherdeath-buthowhorribleitistostandbythesideevenofadeadqueen,celebratedforhermajesticbeauty!Soyoumaybe glorious in your beauty, fair, and amiable, and lovely; you put thecrownofhonestyuponyourhead,andwearaboutyouallthegarmentsofuprightness,butunlessGodhasquickenedthee,Oman!unlesstheSpirithashaddealingswiththysoul,thouartinGod'ssightasobnoxiousasthechillycorpseistothyself.Thouwouldstnotchoosetolivewithacorpsesittingatthytable;nordothGodlovethatthoushouldstbeinhissight.Heisangrywiththeeeveryday,forthouartinsin-thouartindeath.Oh!believethis;takeittothysoul;appropriateit,foritismosttruethatthouartdead,spirituallyaswellaslegally.

Thethirdkindofdeathistheconsummationoftheothertwo.Itiseternaldeath.Itistheexecutionofthelegalsentence;itistheconsummationofthespiritualdeath.Eternaldeath is thedeathof thesoul; it takesplaceafterthebodyhasbeenlaidinthegrave,afterthesoulhasdepartedfromit. If legal death be terrible, it is because of its consequences; and ifspiritualdeath be dreadful, it is because of thatwhich shall succeed it.The twodeathsofwhichwe have spoken are the roots, and that deathwhichistocomeistheflowerthereof.Oh!hadIwordsthatImightthismorning attempt to depict to you what eternal death is. The soul hascomebeforeitsMaker;thebookhasbeenopened;thesentencehasbeenuttered;"Departyecursed"hasshakentheuniverse,andmadetheveryspheresdimwiththefrownoftheCreator; thesoulhasdeparted to thedepthswhereitistodwellwithothersineternaldeath.Oh!howhorribleis its position now. Its bed is a bed of flame; the sights it sees aremurderingones that affright its spirit;. the sounds it hears are shrieks,andwails,andmoans,andgroans;allthatitsbodyknowsistheinflictionof miserable pain! It has the possession of unutterable woe, ofunmitigatedmisery. The soul looks up. Hope is extinct - it is gone. Itlooks downward in dread and fear; remorse hath possessed its soul. Itlooksontherighthand-andtheadamantinewallsoffatekeepitwithinitslimitsoftorture.Itlooksontheleft-andtheretherampartofblazingfire forbids thescaling ladderofe'enadreamyspeculationofescape. Itlookswithinandseeks for consolation there,butagnawingwormhathentered into the soul. It looks about it - it has no friends to aid, nocomforters,buttormentors inabundance.Itknowethnoughtofhopeofdeliverance; it hath heard the everlasting key of destiny turning in itsawfulwards,andithathseenGodtakethatkeyandhurlitdownintothedepthof eternitynever tobe foundagain. It hopethnot; it knowethnoescape;itguessethnotofdeliverance;itpantsfordeath,butdeathistoomuchitsfoetobethere;itlongsthatnon-existencewouldswallowitup,but this eternal death is worse than annihilation. It pants forextermination as the laborer for his Sabbath; it longs that it might beswallowed up in nothingness just as would the galley slave long forfreedom,butitcomethnot-itiseternallydead.Wheneternityshallhaverolled round multitudes of its everlasting cycles it shall still be dead.Forever knoweth no end; eternity cannot be spelled except in eternity.Still the soul seethwritten o'er its head, "Thou art damned forever." It

heareth howlings that are to be perpetual; it seeth flames which areunquenchable;itknowethpainsthatareunmitigated;ithearsasentencethatrollsnotlikethethunderofearthwhichsoonishushed-butonward,onward, onward, shaking the echoes of eternity -making thousands ofyearsshakeagainwiththehorridthunderofitsdreadfulsound-"Depart!depart!depart!yecursed!"Thisistheeternaldeath.

II.Secondly,INCHRISTJESUSTHEREISLIFE,forhesays:"Yewillnotcometomethatyemighthavelife."ThereisnolifeinGodtheFatherforasinner;thereisnolifeinGodtheSpirit forasinnerapartfromJesus.ThelifeofasinnerisinChrist.IfyoutaketheFatherapartfromtheSon,thoughheloveshiselect,anddecreesthattheyshalllive,yetlifeisonlyinhisSon. IfyoutakeGodtheSpiritapart fromJesusChrist, though it istheSpiritthatgivesusspirituallife,yetitislifeinChrist,lifeintheSon.Wedarenot,andcannotapplyinthefirstplace,eithertoGodtheFather,ortoGodtheHolyGhostforspirituallife.ThefirstthingweareledtodowhenGodbringsus out of Egypt is to eat the Passover - the very firstthing.The firstmeanswherebywe get life is by feeding upon the fleshandbloodoftheSonofGod;livinginhim,trustingonhim,believinginhisgraceandpower.Oursecondthoughtwas-thereislifeinChrist.Wewill show you there are three kinds of life in Christ, as there are threekindsofdeath.

FirstthereislegallifeinChrist.JustaseverymanbynatureconsideredinAdamhadasentenceofcondemnationpassedonhiminthemomentof Adam's sin, and more especially in the moment of his own firsttransgression,soI,ifIbeabeliever,andyou,ifyoutrustinChrist,havehadalegalsentenceofacquittalpassedonusthroughwhatJesusChristhas done. O condemned sinner! Thou mayest be sitting this morningcondemned like the prisoner in Newgate; but ere this day has passedawaythoumayestbeasclearfromguiltastheangelsabove.ThereissuchathingaslegallifeinChrist,and,blessedbeGod!someofusenjoyit.Weknow our sins are pardoned because Christ suffered punishment forthem; we know that we never can be punished ourselves, for Christsufferedinourstead.ThePassoverisslainforus;thelintelanddoor-posthavebeensprinkled,andthedestroyingangelcannevertouchus.Forusthere is no hell, although it blaze with terrible flame. Let Tophet be

preparedofold,letitspilebewoodandmuchsmoke,wenevercancomethere-Christdied forus, inourstead.What if thereberacksofhorridtorture? What if there be a sentence producing most horriblereverberationsofthunderingsounds?Yetneitherrack,nordungeon,northunder, are for us! In Christ Jesus we are now delivered. "There isthereforeNOWnocondemnationuntouswhoare inChristJesus,whowalknotaftertheflesh,butaftertheSpirit."

Sinner!Art thou legally condemned thismorning?Dost thou feel that?Then,letmetelltheethatfaithinChristwillgivetheeaknowledgeofthylegalacquittal.Beloved,itisnofancythatwearecondemnedforoursins,it is a reality. So, it is no fancywe are acquitted, it is a reality. Amanabout to be hanged, if he received a full pardon would feel it a greatreality.Hewouldsay, "Ihavea fullpardon; I cannotbe touchednow."ThatisjusthowIfeel.

"NowfreedfromsinIwalkatlarge,TheSaviour'sblood'smyfulldischarge,AthisdearfeetcontentIlay,Asinnersaved,andhomagepay.

Brethren,wehavegained legal life inChrist,andsuch legal life thatwecannot lose it.Thesentencehasgoneagainstusonce-nowithasgoneoutforus. It iswritten, "THEREISNOWNOCONDEMNATION,"andthat nowwill do aswell forme in fifty years as it does now.Whatevertime we live it will still be written, "There is therefore, now nocondemnationtothemthatareinChristJesus."

Then, secondly, there is spiritual life in Christ Jesus. As the man isspiritually dead, God has spiritual life for him, for there is not a needwhich is not supplied by Jesus, there is not an emptiness in the heartwhichChristcannotfill;thereisnotadesolationwhichhecannotpeople,thereisnotadesertwhichhecannotmaketoblossomastherose.Oyedead sinners! spiritually dead, there is life in Christ Jesus, forwe haveseen-yes!theseeyeshaveseen-thedeadliveagain;wehaveknowntheman whose soul was utterly corrupt, by the power of God seek afterrighteousness;wehaveknownthemanwhoseviewswerecarnal,whoselustsweremighty,whosepassionswerestrong,suddenly,by irresistible

might fromheaven,consecratehimself toChrist,andbecomeachildofJesus.WeknowthatthereislifeinChristJesus,ofaspiritualorder;yea,more,weourselves, inourownpersons,havefelt that there is spirituallife.Wellcanwerememberwhenwesatinthehouseofprayer,asdeadastheveryseatonwhichwesat.Wehadlistenedfora long, longwhiletothesoundofthegospel,butnoeffectfollowed,whensuddenly,asifourears had been opened by the fingers of some mighty angel, a soundenteredintoourheart.WethoughtweheardJesussaying,"Hethathathearstohear,lethimhear."Anirresistiblehandputitselfonourheartandcrushed a prayer out of it.We never had a prayer before like that.Wecried,"OGod!havemercyuponmeasinner."Someofusformonthsfeltahandpressingusasifwehadbeengraspedinavice,andoursoulsbleddrops of anguish. Thatmiserywas a sign of coming life. Personswhentheyarebeingdrowneddonot feel thepain somuchaswhile they arebeing restored. Oh! we recollect those pains, those groans, that livingstrifethatoursoulhadwhenitcametoChrist.Ah!wecanrecollectthegivingofourspiritual life as easily as couldamanhis restorationfromthegrave.WecansupposeLazarustohaverememberedhisresurrection,thoughnotallthecircumstancesofit.Sowe,althoughwehaveforgottena great deal, do recollect our giving ourselves to Christ.We can say toeverysinner,howeverdead,thereislifeinChristJesus,thoughyoumaybe rotten and corrupt in your grave.Hewho hath raised Lazarus hathraisedus;andhecansay,eventoyou,"Lazarus!comeforth."

Inthethirdplace,thereiseternallifeinChristJesus.And,oh!ifeternaldeath be terrible, eternal life is blessed; for he has said, "Where I amthereshallmypeoplebe.""Father,Iwillthattheyalso,whomthouhastgivenuntome,bewithmewhereIam,thattheymaybeholdmyglory.""Igiveuntomy sheep eternal life, and they shall neverperish."Now, anyArminian that would preach from that text must buy a pair of Indiarubberlips,forIamsurehewouldneedtostretchhismouthamazingly;hewouldneverbeabletospeakthewholetruthwithoutwindingaboutinamostmysteriousmanner.Eternallife-notalifewhichtheyaretolose,buteternallife.IfIlostlifeinAdamIgaineditinChrist;ifIlostmyselffor ever I findmyself for ever in Jesus Christ. Eternal life! Oh blessedthought!Oureyeswillsparklewithjoyandoursoulsbumwithecstasyinthethoughtthatwehaveeternal life.Bequenchedyestars! letGodput

hisfingeronyou-butmysoulwillliveinblissandjoy.PutoutthineeyeOsun! -butmineeyeshall "see theking inhisbeauty"when thineeyeshallnomoremakethegreenearthlaugh.Andmoon,bethouturnedintoblood! - butmy blood shall ne'er be turned to nothingness; this spiritshall exist when thou hast ceased to be. And thou great world! thoumayestallsubside,justasamoment'sfoamsubsidesuponthewavethatbearsit-butIhaveeternallife.Otime!thoumayestseegiantmountainsdeadandhidden in theirgraves; thoumayest see the stars like figs tooripe,fallingfromthetree,butthoushaltnever,neverseemyspiritdead.

III.Thisbringsustothethirdpoint:thatETERNALLIFEISGIVENTOALLWHOCOMEFORIT.ThereneverwasamanwhocametoChristforeternallife,forlegallife,forspirituallife,whohadnotalreadyreceivedit,insomesense,anditwasmanifestedtohimthathehadreceiveditsoonafter he came.Let us take one or two texts - "He is ableto save to theuttermostthemthatcomeuntohim."EverymanwhocomestoChristwillfindthatChristisabletosavehim-notabletosavehimalittle,todeliverhimfroma littlesin, tokeephimfroma little trial, tocarryhima littlewayandthendrophim-butabletosavehimtotheuttermostextentofhissin,untotheuttermostlengthofhistrials,theuttermostdepthsofhissorrows,untotheuttermostdurationofhisexistence.Christsaystoeveryonewhocomestohim,"Come,poorsinner,thouneedstnotaskwhetherIhavepowertosave.Iwillnotasktheehowfarthouhastgoneintosin;Iamabletosavetheetotheuttermost."AndthereisnooneonearthcangobeyondGod's"uttermost."

Now another text: "Him that cometh to me, [mark the promises arenearlyalwaystothecomingones]Iwillinnowisecastout."EverymanthatcomesshallfindthedoorofChrist'shouseopened-andthedoorofhishearttoo.Everymanthatcomes-Isayitinthebroadestsense-shallfindthatChristhasmercyforhim.ThegreatestabsurdityintheworldistowanttohaveawidergospelthanthatrecordedinScripture.Ipreachthateverymanwhobelievesshallbesaved-thateverymanwhocomesshall findmercy.Peopleaskme, "But supposeamanshould comewhowasnotchosen,wouldhebesaved?"YougoandsupposenonsenseandIamnotgoingtogiveyouananswer.Ifamanisnotchosenhewillnevercome.Whenhedoescomeitisasureproofthathewaschosen.Saysone,

"Suppose any one should go to Christ who had not been called of theSpirit."Stop,mybrother,thatisasuppositionthouhastnorighttomake,forsuchathingcannothappen;youonlysayittoentangleme,andyouwill not do that just yet. I say everymanwho comes to Christ shall besaved.IcansaythatasaCalvinist,orasahyper-Calvinist,asplainlyasyoucansayit.Ihavenonarrowergospelthanyouhave;onlymygospelisonasolidfoundation,whereasyoursisbuiltuponnothingbutsandandrottenness."Everymanthatcomethshallbesaved,fornomancomethtomeexcepttheFatherdrawhim.""But,"saysone,"supposealltheworldshouldcome,wouldChristreceivethem?"Certainly,ifallcame;butthenthey won't come. I tell you all that come - aye, if they were as bad asdevils, Christ would receive them; if they had all sin and filthinessrunninginto their hearts as into a common sewer for thewholeworld,Christwouldreceivethem.Anothersays,"Iwanttoknowabouttherestofthepeople.MayIgooutandtellthem-JesusChristdiedforeveryoneofyou?MayIsay-thereisrighteousnessforeveryoneofyou,thereislifefor everyoneof you?"No; youmaynot.Youmay say - there is life foreverymanthatcomes.Butifyousaythereislifeforoneofthosethatdonotbelieve,youutteradangerous lie. Ifyou tell themJesusChristwaspunished for their sins, and yet they will be lost, you tell a wilfulfalsehood.TothinkthatGodcouldpunishChristandthenpunishthem-Iwonderatyourdaringtohavetheimpudencetosayso!Agoodmanwasonce preaching that therewere harps and crowns in heaven for all hiscongregation;andthenhewoundupinamostsolemnmanner:"Mydearfriends,therearemanyforwhomthesethingsarepreparedwhowillnotgetthere."Infact,hemadesuchapitifultale,asindeedhemightdo;butItellyouwhoheoughttohaveweptfor-heoughttohaveweptfortheangels of heaven and all the saints, because that would spoil heaventhoroughly.YouknowwhenyoumeetatChristmas,ifyouhavelostyourbrotherDavidandhis seat is empty, you say: "Well,wealwaysenjoyedChristmas, but there is a drawback to it now - poorDavid is dead andburied!"Thinkof theangels saying: "Ah!this is abeautifulheaven,butwedon'tliketoseeallthosecrownsuptherewithcobwebson;wecannotendure that uninhabited street: we cannot behold yon empty thrones."Andthen,poorsouls, theymightbegin talking tooneanother,andsay,"wearenoneofussafehereforthepromisewas-"Igiveuntomysheepeternallife,"andthereisalotoftheminhellthatGodgaveeternallifeto;

thereisanumberthatChristshedhisbloodforburninginthepit,andiftheymay be sent there, somaywe. Ifwe cannot trust one promisewecannotanother."Soheavenwouldloseitsfoundation,andfall.Awaywithyour nonsensical gospel! God gives us a safe and solid one, built oncovenantdoingsandcovenantrelationship,oneternalpurposesandsurefulfillments.

IV.Thisbringsustothefourthpoint,THATBYNATURENOMANWILLCOMETOCHRIST, for the text says, "Yewill not come tome, that yemighthavelife."IassertonScriptureauthorityfrommytext,thatyewillnotcomeuntoChrist,thatyemighthavelife.Itellyou,Imightpreachtoyouforever,ImightborrowtheeloquenceofDemosthenesorofCicero,butyewillnotcomeuntoChrist. Imightbegofyouonmyknees,withtearsinmyeyes,andshowyouthehorrorsofhellandthejoysofheaven,thesufficiencyofChrist,andyourownlostcondition,butyouwouldnoneof you come unto Christ of yourselves unless the Spirit that rested onChrist should draw you. It is true of allmen in their natural conditionthattheywillnotcomeuntoChrist.But,methinksIhearanotherofthesebabblersaskingaquestion:"Butcouldtheynotcomeif they liked?"Myfriend, I will reply to thee another time. That is not the question thismorning.Iamtalkingaboutwhethertheywill,notwhethertheycan.Youwillnoticewheneveryoutalkaboutfree-will, thepoorArminian, intwosecondsbegins to talk about power, and hemixes up two subjects thatshouldbekeptapart.Wewillnot take two subjects at once;wedeclinefightingtwoatthesametime, ifyouplease.Anotherdaywewillpreachfromthistext-"NomancancomeexcepttheFatherdrawhim."Butitisonly thewillwe are talking of now; and it is certain thatmenwill notcome untoChrist, that theymight have life.Wemight prove this frommanytextsofScripture,butwewilltakeoneparable.Youremembertheparablewhere a certain king had a feast for his son, and bade a greatnumber to come; the oxen and fatlings were killed, and he sent hismessengersbiddingmanytothesupper.Didtheygotothefeast?Ah,no;but they all, with one accord, began tomake excuse. One said he hadmarriedawife,andthereforehecouldnotcome,whereashemighthavebroughtherwithhim.Anotherhadboughtayokeofoxen,andwent toprovethem;butthefeastwasinthenight-time,andhecouldnotprovehisoxeninthedark.Anotherhadboughtapieceofland,andwantedto

seeit;butIshouldnotthinkhewenttoseeitwithalantern.Sotheyallmadeexcusesandwouldnotcome.Wellthekingwasdeterminedtohavethe feast; sohesaid, "Goout into thehighwaysandhedges,and" invitethem-stop!not invite-"compelthemtocomein;" foreventheraggedfellowsinthehedgeswouldneverhavecomeunlesstheywerecompelled.Takeanotherparable:-Acertainmanhadavineyard;at theappointedseasonhesentoneofhisservantsforhisrent.Whatdidtheydotohim?Theybeat that servant.He sent another; and they stonedhim.He sentanotherandtheykilledhim.And,at last,hesaid,"Iwill send themmyson,theywillreverencehim."Butwhatdidtheydo?Theysaid,"This istheheir,letuskillhim,andcasthimoutofthevineyard."Sotheydid.Itis the same with all men by nature. The Son of God came, yet menrejectedhim."Yewillnotcometomethatyemighthave life." Itwouldtake too much time to mention any more Scripture proofs. We will,however,refertothegreatdoctrineofthefall.Anyonewhobelievesthatman'swillisentirelyfree,andthathecanbesavedbyit,doesnotbelievethe fall. As I sometimes tell you, few preachers of religion do believethoroughlythedoctrineofthefall,orelsetheythinkthatwhenAdamfelldownhebrokehis little finger,anddidnotbreakhisneckandruinhisrace.Why,beloved, the fallbrokemanupentirely. Itdidnot leave onepowerunimpaired;theywereallshattered,anddebased,andtarnished;like somemighty temple, the pillarsmight be there, the shaft, and thecolumn,andthepilastermightbethere;buttheywereallbroken,thoughsome of them retain their form and position. The conscience of mansometimesretainsmuchofitstenderness-stillithasfallen.Thewill,too,isnotexempt.Whatthoughitis"theLordMayorofMansoul,"asBunyancalls it? - the Lord Mayor goes wrong. The Lord Will-be-will wascontinuallydoingwrong. Your fallennaturewas put out of order; yourwill,amongstotherthings,hascleangoneastrayfromGod.ButItellyouwhatwillbethebestproofofthat;itisthegreatfactthatyouneverdidmeet a Christian in your life who ever said he came to Christ withoutChristcomingtohim.YouhaveheardagreatmanyArminiansermons,Idare say; but you never heard an Arminian prayer - for the saints inprayerappearasone inword,anddeedandmind.AnArminianonhiskneeswouldpraydesperatelylikeaCalvinist.Hecannotprayaboutfree-will:thereisnoroomforit.Fancyhimpraying,"Lord,IthanktheeIamnot like those poor presumptuous Calvinists. Lord, I was born with a

gloriousfree-will;IwasbornwithpowerbywhichIcan turn to theeofmyself;Ihaveimprovedmygrace.IfeverybodyhaddonethesamewiththeirgracethatIhave,theymightallhavebeensaved.Lord,Iknowthoudostnotmakeuswillingifwearenotwillingourselves.Thougivestgracetoeverybody;somedonotimproveit,butIdo.TherearemanythatwillgotohellasmuchboughtwiththebloodofChristasIwas;theyhadasmuchof theHolyGhostgiven to them; theyhadasgoodachance,andwereasmuchblessedasIam.Itwasnotthygracethatmadeustodiffer;Iknowitdidagreatdeal,stillIturnedthepoint;Imadeuseofwhatwasgivenme, and others did not - that is the difference between me andthem."Thatisaprayerforthedevil, fornobodyelsewouldoffersuchaprayerasthat.Ah!whentheyarepreachingandtalkingveryslowly,theremaybewrongdoctrine;butwhentheycometopray,thetruethingslipsout;theycannothelpit.Ifamantalksveryslowly,hemayspeakinafinemanner;butwhenhe comes to talk fast, theoldbrogueofhis country,where he was born, slips out. I ask you again, did you ever meet aChristian man who said, "I came to Christ without the power of theSpirit?"Ifyoueverdidmeetsuchaman,youneedhavenohesitationinsaying,"Mydearsir,Iquitebelieveit-andIbelieveyouwentawayagainwithout the power of the Spirit, and that you know nothing about thematter,andare in thegallofbitternessand thebondof iniquity."Do IhearoneChristianman saying, "I sought Jesus before he soughtme; IwenttotheSpirit,andtheSpiritdidnotcometome"?No,beloved;weareobliged,eachoneofus,toputourhandstoourheartsandsay-

"Gracetaughtmysoultopray,Andmademyeyestoo'erflow;'Twasgracethatkeptmetothisday,Andwillnotletmego."

Isthereonehere-asolitaryone-manorwoman,youngorold,whocansay,"I soughtGodbeforehesoughtme?"No;evenyouwhoarea littleArminian,willsing-

"Oyes!IdoloveJesus-Becausehefirstlovedme."

Then, onemore question. Dowe not find, even after we have come to

Christ,oursoul isnot free,but iskeptbyChrist?Dowenot findtimes,even now, when to will is not present with us? There is a law in ourmembers,warring against the lawof ourminds.Now, if thosewho arespirituallyalivefeelthattheirwilliscontrarytoGod,whatshallwesayofthemanwho is "dead in trespassesandsins"? Itwouldbeamarvelousabsurditytoputthetwoonalevel;anditwouldbestillmoreabsurdtoput the dead before the living. No; the text is true, experience hasbranded it intoourhearts. "Yewillnotcometome, that yemighthavelife."

Now,wemust tell you the reasonswhymenwillnot comeuntoChrist.Thefirstis,becausenomanbynaturethinkshewantsChrist.BynaturemanconceivesthathedoesnotneedChrist;hethinksthathehasarobeofrighteousnessofhisown,thatheiswell-dressed,thatheisnotnaked,that he needs not Christ's blood to wash him, that he is not black orcrimson,andneedsnogracetopurifyhim.NomanknowshisneeduntilGod shows it to him; and until theHoly Spirit reveals the necessity ofpardon,nomanwillseekpardon.ImaypreachChristforever,butunlessyoufeelyouwantChristyouwillnevercometohim.Adoctormayhaveagood shop, but nobody will buy his medicines until he feels he wantsthem.

Thenextreasonis,becausemendonotlikeChrist'swayofsavingthem.Onesays,"Idonot like itbecausehemakesmeholy;Icannotdrinkorswearifhesavedme."Anothersays,"Itrequiresmetobesopreciseandpuritanical, and I like a little more license." Another does not like itbecauseitissohumbling;hedoesnotlikeitbecausethe"gateofheaven"isnotquitehighenoughforhishead,andhedoesnotlikestooping.Thatis the chief reason yewill not come toChrist, because ye cannot get tohimwithyour heads straight up in the air; for Christmakes you stoopwhen you come.Another does not like it to be grace from first to last."Oh!"hesays,"IfImighthavealittlehonor."ButwhenhehearsitisallChrist or no Christ, a whole Christ or no Christ, he says, "I shall notcome,"and turnsonhisheelandgoesaway.Ah!proudsinners,yewillnotcomeuntoChrist.Ah!ignorantsinners,yewillnotcomeuntoChrist,becauseyeknownothingofhim.Andthatisthethirdreason.

Mendonotknowhisworth, for if theydid theywouldcomeuntohim.

WhydidnotsailorsgotoAmericabeforeColumbuswent?Becausetheydidnotbelieve therewasanAmerica.Columbushad faith, thereforehewent.HewhohathfaithinChristgoestohim.Butyoudon'tknowJesus;manyofyouneversawhisbeauteousface;youneversawhowapplicablehisbloodistoasinner,howgreatishisatonement;andhowall-sufficientarehismerits.Therefore,"yewillnotcometohim."

Andoh!myhearers,my last thought is a solemnone. I have preachedthatyewillnotcome.Butsomewillsay,"it istheirsinthattheydonotcome." IT IS SO.Youwill not come, but then yourwill is a sinfulwill.Some think thatwe "sew pillows to all armholes"whenwe preach thisdoctrine, butwedon't.Wedonot set thisdownasbeingpart ofman'soriginal nature, but as belonging to his fallen nature. It is sin that hasbrought you into this condition that youwill not come. If you had notfallen,youwouldcometoChristthemomenthewaspreachedtoyou;butyou do not come because of your sinfulness and crime. People excusethemselvesbecausetheyhavebadhearts.Thatisthemostflimsyexcusein the world. Do not robbery and thieving come from a bad heart?Suppose a thief should say to a judge, "I couldnothelp it, I had a badheart."Whatwouldthejudgesay?"Yourascal!why,ifyourheartisbad,I'llmakethesentenceheavier,foryouareavillainindeed.Yourexcuseisnothing." The Almighty shall "laugh at them, and shall have them inderision."Wedonotpreach thisdoctrine to excuseyou, but tohumbleyou. The possession of a bad nature ismy fault as well asmy terriblecalamity. It isa sin thatwillalwaysbechargedonmen;whentheywillnot come untoChrist it is sin that keeps them away.Hewho does notpreach that, I fear is not faithful toGod and his conscience. Go home,then,withthisthought;"IambynaturesoperversethatIwillnotcomeuntoChrist,andthatwickedperversityofmynatureismysin.Ideserveto be sent to hell for it." And if the thought does not humble you, theSpiritusing it,noother can. Thismorning I have not preachedhumannatureup,butIhavepreacheditdown.Godhumbleusall.Amen.

MisprepresentationsofCalvinism

As printed in Volume 7 of The New Park Street and MetropolitanTabernaclePulpit.

ThereisnothinguponwhichmenneedtobemoreinstructedthanuponthequestionofwhatCalvinismreally is.Themost infamousallegationshavebeenbroughtagainstus,andsometimes,Imust fear,bymenwhoknew them to be utterly untrue; and to this day there aremany of ouropponents who, when they run short of matter, invent and make forthemselvesamanofstraw!Theycallthatmanofstraw,JohnCalvin,andthenshootall theirarrowsat it.Wehavenotcomeheretodefendyourmanofstraw;shootathimorburnhimasyouwill,and if it suits yourconvenience, go ahead and still oppose doctrines which were nevertaught, and rail at fictions which, save in your brain, were never inexistence!Wecomeheretostatewhatourviewsreallyare,andwetrustthat any who do not agree with us will do us the justice of notmisrepresenting us. If they can disprove our Doctrines, let them statethem fairly, and then overthrow them—but why should they firstcaricatureouropinions,andthenafterwardsattempttoputthemdown?

Among the gross falsehoods which have been uttered against theCalvinistsproper is thewicked calumny thatwehold thedamnationoflittleinfants.Abaserliewasneveruttered!Theremayhaveexistedsome-where—insomecorneroftheearth—amiscreantwhowoulddaretosaythattherewereinfantsinHell,butIhavenevermetwithhim,norhaveImet with a man who ever saw such a person. We say, with regard toinfants, Scripture said but very little, and therefore, where Scripture isconfessedlyscant,itisfornomantodeterminedogmatically;butIthinkIspeakfortheentirebody,orcertainlywithexceedinglyfewexceptions,andthoseunknowntome,whenIsayweholdthatallinfantsareelectofGod,andare,therefore,saved,andwelooktothisasbeingthemeansbywhichChristshallseeofthetravailofHissoultoagreatdegree,andwedosometimeshopethatthusthemultitudeofthesavedshallbemadetoexceed themultitude of the lost.Whatever views our friendsmay holdupon the point, they are not necessarily connected with CalvinisticDoctrine.IbelievethattheLordJesus,whosaid,“OfsuchistheKingdom

ofHeaven,”doesdailyandconstantlyreceiveintoHislovingarmsthosetenderoneswhoareonlyshown,andthensnatchedawaytoHeaven.Ourhymnsarenoillwitnesstoourfaithonthispoint,andoneofthemrunsthus—

“Millionsofinfantsoulscompose

Thefamilyabove.”

Toplady, one of the keenest of Calvinists, was of this number. “In myremarks,”hesays,“onDr.Newell,Itestifiedmyfirmbeliefthatthesoulsof all departed infants are with God in Glory—that in the decree ofpredestination to life, God has included all whomHe decreed to takeawayininfancy—andthatthedecreeofreprobationhasnothingtodowiththem.”No,heproceedsfarther,andasks,withreason,howtheanti-Calvinistic systemof conditional salvation, and election, or goodworksforeseen,willsuitwiththesalvationofinfants?ItisplainthatArminiansandPelagiansmust introduceanewprincipleofelection—andinsofaras the salvation of infants is concerned, becomeCalvinists! Is it not anargumentinbehalfofCalvinismthatitsprincipleisuniformthroughout,and that no change is needed on the ground on which man is saved,whether young or old? JohnNewton, of London, the friend of Cowper,noted for his Calvinism, holds that the children in Heaven exceed itsadult inhabitants inall theirmultitudinousarray!Gill,averychampionof Calvinism, held the Doctrine that all dying in infancy are saved; anintelligent modem writer, Dr. Russell of Dundee, also a Calvinist,maintainsthesameviews.Whenit isconsideredthatnearlyone-halfofthehumanracedieinearlyyears,it iseasytoseewhatavastaccessionmustbedailyandhourlymakingtotheblessedpopulationofHeaven!

Amorecommoncharge,broughtbymoredecentpeople, forImustsaythat the last charge is never brought except by disreputable persons—amorecommoncharge is thatweholdclear fatalism!Now,theremaybeCalvinistswhoare fatalists,butCalvinismand fatalismare twodistinctthings. Do notmost Christians hold the Doctrine of the Providence ofGod?DonotallChristians;donotallBelieversinGodholdtheDoctrineof His foreknowledge? All the difficulties which are laid against theDoctrineofPredestinationmight,withequalforce,belaidagainstthatof

Divineforeknowledge.Webelieve thatGodhaspredestinatedall thingsfromthebeginning,butthereisadifferencebetweenthepredestinationof an intelligent, All-Wise, All-Bounteous God, and that blind fatalismwhichsimplysays,“Itisbecauseitistobe.”BetweenthepredestinationofScripture,andthefateoftheKoran,everysensiblemanmustperceiveadifferenceofthemostessentialcharacter.Wedonotdenythatthethingissoordainedthatitmustbe,butwhyisittobebutthattheFather—God—whose name is Love, ordained it? Not because of any necessity incircumstancesthatsuch-and-suchathingshouldtakeplace; thoughthewheels of Providence revolve with rigid exactness, yet not withoutpurpose and wisdom! The wheels are full of eyes, and everythingordainedissoordainedthatitshallconducetothegrandestofallends—theGloryofGod—andnexttothat,thegoodofHiscreatures.

Butwearenextmetbysomewhotellusthatwepreachthewickedandhorrible doctrine of sovereign and unmerited reprobation. “Oh,” theysay, “you teach that men are damned because God made them to bedamned, and that they go to Hell, not because of sin, not because ofunbelief—butbecauseofsomedarkdecreewithwhichGodhasstampedtheir destiny.” Brothers and Sisters, this is an another unfair charge!Election does not involve reprobation! There may be some who holdunconditional reprobation, but I stand not here as their defender—letthem defend themselves as best they can! I hold God’s Election, but Itestify just as clearly that if anyman is lost, he is lost for sin.This hasbeentheuniformstatementofCalvinisticministers.Imightreferyoutoour standards such as “TheWestminsterAssembly’sCatechism”and toall ourConfessions, for they all distinctly state thatman is lost for sin,and that there is no punishment put on anyman except thatwhich herichlyandrighteouslydeserves.Ifanyofyouhaveeverutteredthatlibelagainst us, do it not again—for we are as guiltless of that as you areyourselves! I am speaking personally—and I think in this I wouldcommandthesuffragesofmyBrothers—IdoknowthattheappointmentofGodextendstoallthings;Istandnotinthispulpit,norinanyothertolay thedamnationofanymananywherebutuponhimself! Ifhe is lost,damnationisallofmen.But,ifheissaved,salvationisstillallofGod.

Tostatethisimportantpointyetmoreclearlyandexplicitly,Ishallquote

atlargefromanablePresbyteriandivine—“ThepiousMethodististaughtthat the Calvinist representsGod as creatingmen in order to destroythem; he is taught that Calvinists hold thatmen are lost, not becausethey sin, but because they are non-elected. Believing this to be a truestatement,isitnotamazingthattheMethodiststopsshort,anddeclareshimself, if not an Arminian, at least an Anti-Predestinarian? But nostatementcanbemorescandalouslyuntrue.ItistheuniformDoctrineofCalvinismthatGodcreatesall forHisownGlory—thatHe is infinitelyrighteousandkind,andthatwheremenperish,itisonlyfortheirsins.Inspeakingofsuffering,whetherinthisworld,orintheworldtocome—whetheritrespectsangelsormen,theWestminsterstandards(whichmaybe consideredas themost authoritativemodern statement of thesystem) invariably connect the punishmentwith previous sin, and sinonly—‘AsforthosewickedandungodlymenwhomGod,asarighteousJudge,FORtheirSINSdoesblindandharden, fromthemHenotonlywithholdsHisGrace,wherebytheymighthavebeenenlightenedintheirunderstandings, andworked upon in their hearts, but sometimes alsowithdrawsthegiftswhichtheyhad,andexposesthemtosuchobjectsastheircorruptionmakes occasion of sin; andwithal gives them over totheir own lusts, the temptations of theworld and the power of Satan,wherebyitcomestopassthattheyhardenthemselvesevenunderthosemeanswhichGodusesforthesofteningofothers.’”

“The Larger Catechism, speaking of the unsaved among angels andmen, says, ‘God, according to His Sovereign power, and theunsearchablecounselofHisownwill(wherebyHeextendsorwithholdsfavor as He pleases) has passed by and foreordained the rest todishonor and wrath, to before their sin inflicted, to the praise of thegloryofHis justice.’Again, ‘theendofGodappointing thisday(of thelastjudgment)isforthemanifestationofthegloryofHismercy,intheeternalsalvationoftheelect,andofHisjusticeinthedamnationofthereprobatewhoarewickedanddisobedient.’”

“This is no more than what the Methodist and all other Evangelicalbodiesacknowledge—thatwheremenperishitisinconsequenceoftheirsin.Ifitisaskedwhysinwhichdestroysispermittedtoentertheworld,thatisaquestionwhichbearsnotonlyontheCalvinist,butequallyon

allotherparties.Theyareasmuchconcernedandboundtoansweritashe.No,thequestionisnotconfinedtoChristians.AllwhobelieveintheexistenceofGod—inHisrighteouscharacterandperfectProvidenceareequally under obligation to answer it. Whatever may be the reply ofothers,thatoftheCalvinistmayberegardedasgiveninthestatementoftheConfessionofFaith,whichdeclaresthatGod’sProvidenceextendsitselfeventothefirstFallandothersinsofangelsandmen,etc.—Yetsoas the sinfulness thereof proceeds only from the creature andnot fromGod, who, being most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be ‘theauthororapproverofsin.’ It isdifficult toseewhatmorecouldbesaiduponthesubject;andifsuchistheundoubtedsentimentsofCalvinists,then what misrepresentation can be more gross than that whichdescribesthemasholdingthatsinnersperishirrespectiveoftheirsin,orthatGod is theAuthorof their sin?What is thedeclarationofCalvin?‘Every soul departs (at death) to that placewhich it has prepared foritselfwhileinthisworld.’ItishardtobechargedwithholdingassacredTruth what one abhors as horrid blasphemy, and yet this is thetreatmentwhichhasbeenperseveringlymetedouttoCalvinistsinspiteof the most solemn and indignant disclaimers! Against nothing havetheymorestoutlyprotestedthanthethoughtthattheinfinitelyholyandrighteous,andamiableJehovahistheAuthorofsin—andyethowoftendothesupportersofrivalsystemschargethemwiththisasanarticleoffaith?”

Ayetfurtherchargeagainstus isthatwedarenotpreachtheGospel totheunregenerate!That, infact,ourtheology issonarrowandcramped,thatwe cannot preach to sinners!Gentlemen, if you dare to say this, IwouldtakeyoutoanylibraryintheworldwheretheoldPuritanfathersarestoredup,andIwouldletyoutakedownanyonevolumeandtellmeifyoueverreadmoretellingexhortationsandaddressestosinnersinanyof your own books! Did not Bunyan plead with sinners and whoeverclassedhimwithanybuttheCalvinists?DidnotCharnock,Goodwin,andHowe agonize for souls, and what were they but Calvinists? Did notJonathanEdwardspreachtosinners,andwhomoreclearandexplicitonthesedoctrinalmatters?Theworksofourinnumerabledivinesteemwithpassionateappealstotheunconverted!Oh,Sirs,ifIshouldbeginthelist,timeshouldfailme;itisanindisputablefactthatwehavelaboredmore

thantheyallforthewinningofsouls!WasGeorgeWhitefieldanythelessseraphic?Didhiseyesweep the fewer tearsorhisheartmovewith lesscompassionbecausehebelievedinGod’selectinglove,andpreachedtheSovereigntyoftheMostHigh?Itisanunfoundedcalumny!Oursoulsarenotstony;ourheartsarenotwithdrawnfromthecompassionwhichweoughttofeel forour fellowmen;wecanholdallourviews,andyetcanweepasChristdidoveraJerusalemwhichwascertainlytobedestroyed!Again I must say I am not defending certain Brothers who haveexaggeratedCalvinism.IspeakofCalvinismproper—notthatwhichhasruntoseed,andoutgrownitsbeautyandverdure.IspeakofitasIfinditinCalvin’sInstitutes,andespeciallyinhisExpositions.Ihavereadthemcarefully. I take not my views of Calvinism from common repute, butfromhisbooks;nordoI,inthusspeaking,evenvindicateCalvinismasifIcaredforthename,butImeanthatglorioussystemwhichteachesthatsalvation is of Grace from first to last! And again, then, I say it is anutterlyunfoundedchargethatwedarenotpreachtosinners!

And then further, that I may clear up these points, and leave the lessrubbishformyBrotherstowheelaway—wehavesometimeshearditsaid,butthosewhosayitoughttogotoschooltoreadthefirstbookofhistory—thatwewhoholdCalvinistic views are the enemies of revivals.Why,Sirs,inthehistoryoftheChurch,withbutfewexceptions,youcouldnotfinda revival at all thatwasnot producedby the orthodox faith!Whatwas that great work which was done by Augustine when the Churchsuddenly woke up from the pestiferous and deadly sleep into whichPelagianDoctrinehadcast it?WhatwastheReformation, itself,butthewaking up of men’s minds to those old Truths of God? However farmodernLutheransmayhaveturnedasidefromtheirancientDoc-trines—andImustconfesssomeofthemwouldnotagreewithwhatInowsay,yet,atanyrate—LutherandCalvinhadnodisputeaboutPredestination!Theirviewswereidentical,andLuther’s,OntheBondageoftheWillisasstrongabookupontheFreeGraceofGodasCalvin,himself,couldhavewritten. Hear that great thunder while he cries in that book, “Let theChristian reader know, then, thatGod foreseesnothing in a contingentmanner—but thatHe foresees,proposes, andacts fromHiseternal andunchangeablewill!Thisisthethunderstrokewhichbreaksandoverturnsfree will.” Need I mention to you better names than Huss, Jerome of

Prague,Fartel,JohnKnox,Wickliffe,Wishart,andBradford?NeedIdomore than say that these held the same views, and that in their dayanythinglikeanArminianrevivalwasutterlyunheardofandundreamedof?Andthen,tocometomoremodemtimes,thereisthegreatexception—that wondrous revival under Mr. Wesley in which the WesleyanMethodistshadsolargeashare.ButpermitmetosaythatthestrengthofthedoctrineofWesleyanMethodismlayinitsCalvinism!Thegreatbodyof the Methodists disclaimed Pelagianism in whole and in part; theycontendedforman’sentiredepravity,thenecessityofthedirectagencyoftheHolySpirit, and that the first step in the changeproceedsnot fromthe sinner, but from God. They denied at the time that they werePelagians;doesnottheMethodistholdasfirmlyaseverwedo,thatmanissavedbytheoperationoftheHolySpiritandonlytheHolySpirit?

AndarenotmanyofMr.Wesley’ssermonsfullofthatgreatTruth—thattheHolySpirit isnecessarytoregeneration?Whatevermistakeshemayhave made, he continually preached the absolute necessity of the newbirthbytheHolySpirit!Andtherearesomeotherpointsofexceedinglycloseagreement;forinstance,eventhatofhumaninability.Itmattersnothowsomemayabuseuswhenwesaymancouldnotofhimselfrepentorbelieve—yettheoldArminianstandardssaidthesame.True,theyaffirmthatGodhasgivenGracetoeveryman,buttheydonotdisputethefact,thatapartfromthatGrace,therewasnoabilityinmantodothatwhichwas good inhis own salvation.And then letme say—if you turn to thecontinentofAmerica,howgrossthefalsehoodthatCalvinisticDoctrineisunfavorabletorevivals!Lookat thatwondrousshakingunderJonathanEdwards and others whichwemight quote. Or turn to Scotland—whatshallwesayofM’Cheyne?WhatshallwesayofthoserenownedCalvinists—Chalmers,Wardlaw, and before them, Livingstone,Haldane, Erskine,andthelike?Whatshallwesayofthemenoftheirschoolbutthat,whiletheyheld andpreachedunflinchingly the great Truthswhichwewouldpropoundtoday,yetGodacknowledged,theirwordandmultitudesweresaved?And if itwere not perhaps toomuch like boasting of one’s ownworkunderGod,ImightsaypersonallyIhaveneverfoundthepreachingof these Doctrines lull this Church to sleep! But always while we havelovedtomaintaintheseTruthsofGod,wehaveagonizedforthesoulsofmen, and the 1,600 or more whom I have myself baptized, upon

profession of their faith, are living testimonies that these old Truths inmoderntimeshavenotlosttheirpowertopromotearevivalofreligion!

Ihavethusclearedawaytheseallegationsattheoutset.Ishallnowneeda fewminutesmore to say, with regard to the Calvinistic system, thattherearesomethingstobesaidinitslayouttowhich,ofcourse,Iattachbutlittlecomparativeimportance;buttheyoughtnottobeignored.ItisafactthatthesystemofDoctrinescalledtheCalvinistic, issoexceedinglysimple, and so readily learned, that as a system of Divinity it is moreeasily taught, and more easily grasped by unlettered minds than anyother.ThepoorhavetheGospelpreachedtotheminastylewhichassiststheirmemories, and commends itself to their judgments; it is a systemwhichwaspracticallyacknowledgedonhighphilosophicgroundsbysuchmenasBacon,LeibnitzandNewton,andyet it cancharmthesoulofachild, and expand the intellect of a peasant! And then it has anothervirtue. I take it that the last is nomean one, but it has another— thatwhenit ispreached, there isa something in itwhichexcites thought.Amanmay hear sermons upon the other theory which shall glance overhim as the swallow’s wing gently sweeps the brook—but these oldDoctrines eithermake aman so angry, that he goes home, and cannotsleep for very hatred—or else they bring him down into lowliness ofthought, feelingthe immensityof thethingswhichhehasheard!Eitherway, it excites and stirs him up not temporarily, but in amost lastingmanner.TheseDoctrineshaunthim;hekicksagainstthepricks,andfulloften theWord forces away intohis soul!And I think this is no smallthingforanyDoctrinetodo—inanagegiventoslumber,andwithhumanhearts so indifferent to the Truth of God. I know thatmanymen havegainedmore good by beingmade angry under a sermon than by beingpleasedby it—for being angry, they have turned theTruth ofGod overandoveragain,andatlastthatTruthhasburneditswayrightintotheirhearts!

It also has this singular virtue—it is so coherent in all its parts. YoucannotvanquishaCalvinist;youmaythinkyoucan,butyoucannot!ThestonesofthegreatDoctrinessofitintoeachotherthatthemorepressurethere is applied to remove them, themore strenuously do they adhere.And you may mark that you cannot receive one of these Doctrines

without believing all! Hold, for instance, thatman is utterly depraved,and you draw the inference, then, that certainly if God has such acreaturetodealwith,salvationmustcomefromGodalone!AndiffromHim,theOffendedOne,toanoffendingcreature—thenHehasarighttogive or withhold His mercy as He wills—you are thus forced uponElection,andwhenyouhavegotten that,youhaveall—theothersmustfollow.Some,byputtingthestrainupontheirjudgments,maymanagetohold two or three points, and not the rest; but sound logic, I take it,requiresamantoholdthewholeorrejectthewhole!TheDoctrinesstandlikesoldiersinasquare,presentingoneverysidealineofdefensewhichis hazardous to attack, but easy to maintain. And mark you—in thesetimeswhenerrorissorife,andneologystrivestobesorampant,itisnolittlethingtoputintothehandsofayoungmanaweaponwhichcanslayhis foes—aweapon he can easily learn to handle—which hemay grasptenaciously, wield readily, and carry without fatigue. A weapon, I mayadd,whichno rust can corrode, andno blows can break—effective andwell annealed—a true Jerusalem blade of a temper fit for deeds ofrenown!Thecoherencyoftheparts,thoughitis,ofcourse,butatrifleincomparisonwithotherthings,isnotunimportant.

Andthen,Iadd,butthisisthepointmyBrotherswilltakeup—ithasthisexcellency—that it is Scriptural, and that it is consistent with theexperience of Believers. Men generally grow more Calvinistic as theyadvanceinyears.IsnotthatasignthattheDoctrineisright?Astheyaregrowing riper for Heaven; as they are getting nearer to the rest thatremainsforthepeopleofGod;thesoullongstofeedonthefinestofthewheatandabhorschaffandhusks.Andthen,Iadd—and, insodoing,Iwould refute a calumny that has sometimes been urged—this gloriousTruthhasthisexcellency,thatitproducestheholiestofmen.Wecanlookback through all our annals and say, to those who oppose us, you canmentionnonamesofmenmoreholy,moredevoted,more loving,moregenerous thanthosewhichwecanmention!Thesaintsofourcalendar,thougheconomizedbyRome,rankfirstintheBookofLife;thenameofPuritan needs only to be heard to compel our reverence; holiness hasreachedaheightamongthemwhichisrare,indeed,andwellitmight,fortheylovedandlivedtheTruthofGod!AndifyousaythatourDoctrineisharmful to human liberty,we point you toOliverCromwell, and tohis

brave Ironsides,Calvinists to aman! If you say it leads to inaction,wepoint you to thePilgrimFathers, and thewilderness they subdued.Wecanputourfingeruponeveryspotoflandthewideworldover,andsay,“HerewassomethingdonebyamanwhobelievedinGod’sDecrees,and,inasmuchashedidthis,itisproofitdidnotmakehiminactive,itdidnotlullhimtosloth.”

Thebetterway,however,ofprovingthispoint,isforeachofuswhoholdthese Truths of God to be more prayerful, more watchful, more holy,moreactivethanwehaveeverbeenbefore,andbysodoing,weshallputto silence the gainsaying of foolish men! A living argument is anargumentwhichtellsuponeveryman.Wecannotdenywhatweseeandfeel.Beitours,ifmaligned,todisproveitbyablamelesslife,anditshallyet come to pass that our Church and its sentiments, too, shall comeforth, “Fairas themoon, clearas the sun,and terribleasanarmywithbanners.”

JacobAndEsau

JacobhaveIloved,butEsauhaveIhated.-Romans9:13

Do not imagine for an instant that I pretend to be able thoroughly toelucidatethegreatmysteriesofpredestination.Therearesomemenwhoclaim toknowall about thematter.They twist it round their fingers aseasilyasifitwereaneverydaything;butdependuponit,hewhothinkshe knows all about this mystery, knows but very little. It is but theshallowness of his mind that permits him to see the bottom of hisknowledge;hewhodivesdeep,findsthatthereisinthelowestdepthtowhich he can attain a deeper depth still. The fact is, that the greatquestionsaboutman'sresponsibility, free-will,andpredestination,havebeen foughtover,andover,andoveragain,andhavebeenansweredintenthousanddifferentways;andtheresulthasbeen,thatweknowjustasmuch about the matter as when we first began. The combatants have

throwndust into eachother's eyes, andhavehindered eachother fromseeing; and then they have concluded, that because they put otherpeople'seyesout,theycouldthereforesee.

Now,itisonethingtorefuteanotherman'sdoctrine,butaverydifferentmattertoestablishmyownviews.Itisveryeasytoknockoveroneman'shypothesis concerning these truths, not quite so easy tomakemy ownstandonafirmfooting.Ishalltryto-night,ifIcan,togosafely,ifIdonotgovery fast; for I shall endeavour to keep simply to the letter ofGod'sWord.IthinkthatifwekeptmoresimplytotheteachingsoftheBible,weshould bewiser thanwe are; for by turning from the heavenly light ofrevelation, and trusting to the deceitful will-o'-the-wisps of our ownimagination,we thrustourselves intoquagsandbogswhere there isnosure footing, andwebegin to sink; and insteadofmakingprogress,wefindourselvesstickingfast.Thetruthis,neitheryounorIhaveanyrighttowanttoknowmoreaboutpredestinationthanwhatGodtellsus.Thatisenoughforus.Ifitwereworthwhileforustoknowmore,Godwouldhaverevealedmore.WhatGodhastoldus,wearetobelieve,buttotheknowledgethusgained,wearetooapttoaddourownvaguenotions,andthenwearesure togowrong. Itwouldbebetter, if inallcontroversies,menhadsimplystoodhardandfastby"ThussaiththeLord,"insteadofhavingitsaid,"ThusandthusIthink."Ishallnowendeavour,bythehelpof the Holy Spirit, to throw the light of God's Word upon this greatdoctrine of divine sovereignty, and give you what I think to be aScripturalstatementofthefact,thatsomemenarechosen,othermenareleft,-thegreatfactthatisdeclaredinthistext,-"JacobhaveIloved,butEsauhaveIhated."

Itisaterribletext,andIwillbehonestwithitifIcan.Onemansaystheword "hate" does notmean hate; itmeans "love less:" - "Jacob have Iloved,butEsauhaveIlovedless."Itmaybeso:butIdon'tbelieveitis.Atanyrate,itsays"hate"here;anduntilyougivemeanotherversionoftheBible, I shall keep to this one. I believe that the term is correctly andproperlytranslated;thattheword"hate"isnotstrongerthantheoriginal;but even if it be a little stronger, it is nearer the mark than the othertranslationwhichisofferedtousinthosemeaninglesswords,"loveless."Iliketotakeitandletitstandjustasitis.Thefactis,GodlovedJacob,

and he did not love Esau; he did choose Jacob, but he did not chooseEsau;hedidblessJacob,butheneverblessedEsau;hismercyfollowedJacoballthewayofhislife,eventothelast,buthismercyneverfollowedEsau; he permitted him still to go on in his sins, and to prove thatdreadfultruth,"EsauhaveIhated."Others,inordertogetridofthisuglytext,say,itdoesnotmeanEsauandJacob;itmeansthenation;itmeansJacob'schildrenandEsau'schildren;itmeansthechildrenofIsraelandEdom. I should like to knowwhere the difference lies. Is the difficultyremovedbyextendingit?SomeoftheWesleyanbrethrensay,thatthereisanationalelection;Godhaschosenonenationandnotanother.Theyturn round and tell us it is unjust in God to choose oneman and notanother.Now, we ask them by everything reasonable, is it not equallyunjust of God to choose one nation and leave another? The argumentwhichtheyimagineoverthrowsusoverthrowsthemalso.Thereneverwasa more foolish subterfuge than that of trying to bring out nationalelection. What is the election of a nation but the election of so manyunits,ofsomanypeople?andit is tantamounttothesamethingastheparticularelectionofindividuals.Inthinking,mencannotseeclearlythatif-whichwedonotforamomentbelieve-thatiftherebeanyinjusticeinGodchoosingonemanandnotanother,howmuchmoremusttherebeinjustice inhis choosing one nation and not another.No! the difficultycannotbegotridofthus,butisgreatlyincreasedbythisfoolishwrestingofGod'sWord.Besides,hereistheproofthatthatisnotcorrect;readtheversepreceding it. Itdoesnotsayanythingatallaboutnations, it says,"For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good orevil, that the purpose of God according to electionmight stand, not ofworks,butofhimthatcalleth;Itwassaiduntoher,Theeldershallservetheyounger,"-referringtothechildren,nottothenations.Ofcoursethethreateningwas afterwards fulfilled in the position of the two nations;EdomwasmadetoserveIsrael.Butthistextmeansjustwhat itsays; itdoesnotmeannations,but itmeans thepersonsmentioned. "Jacob," -thatisthemanwhosenamewasJacob-"JacobhaveI loved,butEsauhave Ihated." Take caremydear friends, how any of youmeddlewithGod'sWord.Ihaveheardof folksalteringpassages theydidnot like. Itwill not do, you know, you cannot alter them; they are really just thesame.OuronlypowerwiththeWordofGodissimplytoletitstandasitis, and to endeavour byGod's grace to accommodate ourselves to that.

WemustnevertrytomaketheBiblebowtous,infactwecannot,forthetruthsofdivinerevelationareassureandfastasthethroneofGod.Ifamanwantstoenjoyadelightfulprospect,andamightymountainliesinhispath,doeshecommencecuttingawayatitsbase,inthevainhopethatultimatelyitwillbecomealevelplainbeforehim?No,onthecontrary,hediligentlyusesitfortheaccomplishmentofhispurposebyascendingit,wellknowingthistobetheonlymeansofobtainingtheendinview.Somustwedo;wecannotbringdownthe truthsofGod toourpoor finiteunderstandings; themountainwillnever fallbeforeus,butwecanseekstrengthtorisehigherandhigherinourperceptionofdivinethings,andinthiswayonlymaywehopetoobtaintheblessing.

Now,Ishallhavetwothingstonoticeto-night.Ihaveexplainedthistexttomeanjustwhatitsays,andIdonotwantittobealtered-"JacobhaveI loved, but Esau have I hated." To take off the edge of this terribledoctrinethatmakesrealsomepeoplebitetheirlipsso,Imustjustnoticethatthisisafact;and,afterthat,Ishalltrytoanswerthequestion,-WhywasitthatGodlovedJacobandhatedEsau?

I. First, then, THIS IS FACT.Men say they do not like the doctrine ofelection.Verily, Idonotwant themto;but is itnota fact thatGodhaselected some?Ask anArminianbrother about election, andat oncehiseyeturnsfiercelyuponyou,andhebeginstogetangry,hecan'tbearit;itis ahorrible thing, like awar-cry tohim, andhebegins to sharpen theknife of controversy at once. But say to him, "Ah, brother! was it notdivinegracethatmadeyoutodiffer?WasitnottheLordwhocalledyououtofyournaturalstate,andmadeyouwhatyouare?"Oh,yes,"hesays,""Iquiteagreewithyouthere."Now,putthisquestiontohim:"Whatdoyou think is the reason why one man has been converted, and notanother?""Oh,"hesays,"theSpiritofGodhasbeenatworkinthisman."Well, then,mybrother, the fact is, thatGod does treat oneman betterthananother;andisthereanythingwonderfulinthisfact?Itisafactwerecognizeeveryday.Thereisamanupinthegallerythere,thatworkashardashe likes,hecannotearnmorethanfifteenshillingsaweek;andhere is anotherman that gets a thousand a year;what is the reason ofthis?One is born in the palaces of kings,while another draws his firstbreath ina rooflesshovelWhat is thereasonof this?God'sprovidence.

Heputsonemaninoneposition,andanothermaninanother.Hereisamanwhose head cannot hold two thoughts together, do what you willwithhim;here isanotherwhocansitdownandwriteabook,anddiveintothedeepestofquestions;what is thereasonof it?Godhasdone it.Doyounotseethefact,thatGoddoesnottreateverymanalike?Hehasmadesomeeagles,andsomeworms;somehehasmadelions,andsomecreeping lizards; he has made some men kings, and some are bornbeggars.Somearebornwithgiganticmindsandsomevergeontheidiot.Whyis this?DoyoumurmuratGodfor it?No,yousay it isa fact,andthereisnogoodinmurmuring.Whatistheuseofkickingagainstfacts?Itisonlykickingagainsttheprickswithnakedfeet,andyouhurtyourselfand not them. Well, then, election is a positive fact; it is as clear asdaylight,thatGoddoes,inmattersofreligion,givetoonemanmorethantoanother.Hegives tomeopportunitiesofhearing theword,whichhedoes nor give to the Hottentot. He gives to me, parents who, frominfancy,trainedmeinthefearoftheLord.Hedoesnotgivethattomanyofyou.HeplacesmeafterwardsinsituationswhereIamrestrainedfromsin. Other men are cast into places where their sinful passions aredeveloped.Hegives, toonemana temper anddispositionwhichkeepshimbackfromsomelust,andtoanothermanhegivessuchimpetuosityof spirit, and depravity turns that impetuosity somuch aside, that themanrunsheadlongintosin.Again,hebringsonemanunderthesoundofapowerfulministry,while another sits and listens to a preacherwhosedrowsiness isonlyexceededbythatofhishearers.Andevenwhen theyarehearingthegospel,thefact isGodworksinoneheartwhenbedoesnot in another. Though, I believe to a degree, the Spirit works in theheartsofallwhoheartheWord,sothattheyareallwithoutexcuse,yetIamsureheworks in somesopowerfully, that they canno longer resisthim,butareconstrainedbyhisgracetocast themselvesathis feet,andconfesshimLordofall;whileothersresistthegracethatcomesintotheirhearts;anditdoesnotactwiththesameirresistibleforcethatitdoesinthe other case, and they perish in their sins, deservedly and justlycondemned.Arenot these things facts?Does anymandeny them? cananymandeny them?What is theuse of kicking against facts? I alwaysliketoknowwhenthereisadiscussion,whatisthefact.YouhaveheardthestoryofKingCharlestheSecondandthephilosophers-KingCharlesaskedoneof them,"What is thereasonwhy, ifyouhadapailofwater,

andweighedit,andthenputafishintoit, thattheweightwouldbethesame?"Theygaveagreatmanyelaboratereasonsforthis.Atlastoneofthemsaid, "Is it the fact?"And then they found out that thewater didweighmore,justasmuchmoreasthefishputintoit.Soalltheirlearnedargumentsfelltotheground.So,whenwearetalkingaboutelection,thebestthingistosay,"Putasidethedoctrineforamoment,letusseewhatisthefact?"Wewalkabroad;weopenoureyes;wesee,thereisthefact.What,then,istheuseofourdiscussinganylonger?Wehadbetterbelieveit, since it is an undeniable truth. You may alter an opinion, but youcannot alter a fact. You may change a mere doctrine, but you cannotpossibly change a thing which actually exists. There it is - God doescertainlydealwithsomemenbetterthanhedoeswithothers.Iwillnotofferanapology forGod;hecanexplainhisowndealings;heneedsnodefencefromme,

"Godishisowninterpreter,Andhewillmakeitplain;"

but there stands the fact. Before you begin to argueupon the doctrine,justrecollect, thatwhateveryoumaythinkabout it,youcannotalter it;andhowevermuchyoumayobject to it, it isactually true thatGoddidloveJacob,anddidnotloveEsau.

FornowlookatJacob'slifeandreadhishistory;youarecompelledtosaythat, fromthe firsthour thathe lefthis father'shouse,even to the last,Godlovedhim.Why,hehasnotgonefarfromhisfather'shousebeforeheisweary,andheliesdownwithastoneforhispillow,andthehedgesforhiscurtain,andtheskyforhiscanopy;andhegoestosleep,andGodcomes and talks to him in his sleep; he sees a ladder, whereof the topreaches to heaven, and a company of angels ascending and descendinguponit;andhegoesonhis journeytoLaban.Laban tries tocheathim,and as often as Laban tries to wrong him, God suffers it not, butmultiplies the different cattle that Laban gives him. Afterwards, youremember, when he fled unawares from Laban, andwas pursued, thatGodappearstoLabaninadream,andchargeshimnottospeaktoJacobeither goodor bad.Andmorememorable still,whenhis sonsLevi andSimeonhavecommittedmurderinShethem,andJacobisafraidthathewill be overtaken and destroyed by the inhabitants who were rising

against him, God puts a fear upon the the people, and says to them,"Touch notmine anointed, and domy prophet no harm." Andwhen afaminecomesovertheland,GodhassentJosephintoEgypt,toprovidecorn inGoshen forhisbrethren, that they should liveandnotdie. Andsee thehappyendof Jacob - " I shall seemy sonJosephbefore I die."Behold the tears streamingdownhisagedcheeks, ashe clasps his ownJosephtohisbosom!SeehowmagnificentlyhegoesintothepresenceofPharaoh, and blesses him. It is said, "Jacob blessed Pharoah." He hadGod's love so much in him, that he was free to bless the mightiestmonarch of his times. At last he gave up the ghost, and it was said atonce,"ThiswasamanthatGodloved."ThereisthefactthatGoddidloveJacob.

On the other hand, there is the fact that God did not love Esau. HepermittedEsautobecomethefatherofprinces,buthehasnotblessedhisgeneration.Where is the house of Esau now? Edom has perished. Shebuiltherchambers in therock,andcutouthercities in the flinty rock;butGodhasabandoned the inhabitants thereof, andEdom isnot tobefound.Theybecamethebond-slavesofIsrael;andthekingsofEdomhadto furnish a yearly tribute of wool to Solomon and his successors; andnow thenameofEsau is erased from thebookofhistory.Now, then, Imustsay,again, thisought to takeoffat least someof thebitterness ofcontroversy,whenwerecollect that it is the fact, letmensaywhat theywill,thatGoddidloveJacob,andhedidnotloveEsau.

II.Butnow the secondpointofmysubject is,WHYISTHIS?WhydidGodloveJacob?whydidhehateEsau?Now,Iamnotgoingtoundertaketoomuchatonce.Yousaytome,"WhydidGodloveJacob?andwhydidhehateEsau?"Wewill takeonequestionata time; for thereasonwhysomepeoplegetintoamuddleintheologyis,becausetheytrytogiveananswertotwoquestions.Now,Ishallnotdothat;Iwilltellyouonethingata time. Iwill tellyouwhyGod lovedJacob;and, then, Iwill tell youwhy he hated Esau. But I cannot give you the same reason for twocontradictorythings.Thatiswhereinagreatmanyhavefailed.Theyhavesatdownandseenthesefacts,thatGodlovedJacobandhatedEsau,thatGodhasanelectpeople,andthat thereareotherswhoarenotelect.If,then,theytrytogivethesamereasonforelectionandnon-election, they

makesadworkofit.Iftheywillpauseandtakeonethingatatime,andlooktoGod'sWord,theywillnotgowrong.

Thefirstquestionis,whydidGodloveJacob?Iamnotatallpuzzledtoanswerthis,becausewhenIturntotheWordofGod,Ireadthistext;-"Notforyoursakes,doIthissaiththeLordGod,beitknownuntoyou:beashamedandconfoundedforyourownwaysOhouseofIsrael."IamnotatalosstotellyouthatitcouldnotbeforanygoodthinginJacob,thatGodlovedhim,becauseIamtoldthat"thechildrenbeingnotyetborn,neitherhavingdoneanygoodorevil,thatthepurposeofGod,accordingtoelectionmight stand,notofworksbutofhimthatcalleth." I can tellyou the reason why God loved Jacob; It is sovereign grace. There wasnothing in Jacob that couldmake God love him; there was everythingabouthim,thatmighthavemadeGodhatehim,asmuchashedidEsau,and a great dealmore. But it was becauseGodwas infinitely gracious,thathelovedJacob,andbecausehewassovereigninhisdispensationofthisgrace,thathechoseJacobastheobjectof that love.Now,IamnotgoingtodealwithEsau,untilIhaveansweredthequestiononthesideofJacob.Iwantjusttonoticethis,thatJacobwaslovedofGod,simplyonthefootingoffreegrace.For,comenow,letuslookatJacob'scharacter;Ihavealready said in theexposition,what I thinkofhim. I do think theverysmallestthingsofJacob'scharacter.Asanaturalman,hewasalwaysabargain-maker.

Iwas struck the other daywith that vision that Jacobhad atBethel: itseemed to me a most extraordinary development of Jacob's bargain-makingspirit.Youknowhelaydown,andGodwaspleasedtoopenthedoorsofheaventohim,sothathesawGodsittingatthetopoftheladder,andtheangelsascendinganddescendinguponit.Whatdoyousupposehe said as soon as he awoke?Well, he said, "Surely the Lord is in thisplace;andIknewitnot.Andhewasafraid,andsaid,Howdreadfulisthisplace! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate ofheaven."Why, ifJacobhadhad faith,hewouldnothavebeenafraidofGod: on the contrary, he would have rejoiced that God had thuspermittedhim tohold fellowshipwithhim.Now, hear Jacob's bargain.Godhadsimplysaidtohim,"IamtheLordGodofAbrahamthyfather,andtheGodof Isaac: the landwhereon thou liest, to theewill I give it,

and to thyseed."Hedidnot sayanythingaboutwhatJacobwas todo:Godonlysaid,Iwilldoit,-"BeholdIamwiththee,andwillkeeptheeinallplaceswhitherthougoest,andwillbringtheeagainintothisland;forIwillnotleavethee,untilIhavedonethatwhichIhavespokentotheeof."Now,canyoubelieve,thatafterGodhadspokenfacetofacewithJacob,thathewouldhavehad the impudence to try andmake a bargainwithGod?Buthedid.Hebeginsandsays,"If-"Therenow,themanhashadavision,andanabsolutepromisefromGod,andyethebeginswithan"If."That isbargain-makingwithavengeance! "IfGodwillbewithme, andwill keepme in the way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, andraiment toput on, so that I comeagain tomyFather'shouse inpeace,then"-notwithout-mark,heisgoingtoholdGodtohisbargain-"thenshall,theLordbemyGod:andthisstonewhichIhavesetupforapillar,shallbeGod’shouse:andofallthatthoushaltgivemeIwillsurelygivethetenthuntothee."Imarvelatthis!IfIdidnotknowsomethingaboutmyownnature,Ishouldbeutterlyunabletounderstandit.What!amanthathastalkedwithGod,thenbegintomakeabargainwithhim!thathasseentheonlywayofaccessbetweenheavenandearth,theladderChristJesus, and has had a covenant made between himself and God, acovenantthatisallonGod'spart-allapromise-andyetwantsafterthatto hold God to the bargain: as if he were afraid God would break hispromise!Oh!thiswasvileindeed!

Then notice his whole life.While he lived with Laban, whatmiserablework it was. He had got into the hands of a man of the world; andwheneveracovetousChristiangets into such company, a terrible sceneensues!Therearethetwotogether,greedyandgrasping.Ifanangelcouldlookdownuponthem,howwouldheweeptoseethemanofGodfallenfromhishighplace,andbecomeasbadastheother.Then,thedevicethatJacob used, when he endeavoured to get his wages was mostextraordinary.Whydidhenot leave it toGod, insteadofadoptingsuchsystems as that? Thewholeway throughwe are ashamed of Jacob;wecannothelpit.Andthen,thereisthatgrandperiodinhislife,theturningpoint,whenweare told, that"JacobwrestledwithGod,andprevailed."Wewill lookat that - Ihave carefully studied the subject, and IdonotthinksomuchofhimasIdid.IthoughtJacobwrestledwithGod,butIfind it is the contrary; he did notwrestlewithGod;Godwrestledwith

him.IhadalwayssetJacobup,inmymind,astheverymodelofamanwrestlinginprayer;Idonotthinksonow.Hedividedhisfamily,andputapersoninfronttoappeaseEsau.Hedidnotgoinfronthimself,withtheholy trust that a patriarch should have felt; guarded with all theomnipotenceofheaven,hemightboldlyhavegone tomeethisbrother,but no! he did not feel certain that the latter would bow at his feet,although the promise said, "The elder shall serve the younger."He didnotrestonthatpromise;itwasnotbigenoughforhim.Thenhewentatnight to the brook Jabbok. I do not know what for, unless he went topray; but I am afraid itwas not so. The text says, "And Jacobwas leftalone:andtherewrestledamanwithhimuntilthebreakingoftheday."Thereisagreatdealofdifferencebetweenamanwrestlingwithme,andmy wrestling with him. When I strive with anyone, I want to gainsomethingfromhim,andwhenamanwrestleswithme,hewantstogetsomething out ofme.Therefore, I take it,when themanwrestledwithJacob, he wanted to get his cunning and deceit out of him, and provewhatapoorsinfulcreaturehewas,buthecouldnotdo it.Jacob'scraftwassostrong,thathecouldnotbeovercome;at last, theangel touchedhisthigh,andshowedhimhisownhollowness.AndJacobturnedroundand said, "Thou hast taken away my strength, now I will wrestle withthee;" and when his thighwas out of joint, when he fully felt his ownweakness,then,andnottillthen,ishebroughttosay,"Iwillnotlettheego,exceptthoublessme."Hehadhadfallconfidenceinhisownstrength,butGodatlasthumbledhim,andwhenallhisboastedpowerwasgone,thenitwasthatJacobbecameaprevailingprince.But,evenafterthat,hislifeisnotclear.Thenyoufindhimanunbelievingcreature;andwehaveall been as bad. Though we are blaming Jacob, brethren, we blameourselves.Wearehardwithhim,butweshallbeharderwithourselves.Doyounot remember thememorable speechof thepatriarch,whenhesaid,"Josephisnot,andSimeonisnot,andyewilltakeBenjaminaway:all these thingsareagainstme?"Ah,Jacob,whycannotyoubelievethepromise? All other promises have been fulfilled. But no! he could notthinkofthepromise;hewasalwayswantingtolivebysight.

Now,Isay if thecharacterofJacob,beasIhavedescribedit,andIamsureitis-wehavegotitinGod'sword-therewas,therecouldhavebeennothinginJacob,thatmadeGodlovehim;andtheonlyreasonwhyGod

loved him,must have been because of his own grace, because "he willhave mercy on whom he will have mercy." And rest assured, the onlyreasonwhyanyofuscanhopetobesavedisthis,thesovereigngraceofGod. There is no reasonwhy I should be saved, orwhy you should besaved, but God's own merciful heart, and God's own omnipotent will.Now that is the doctrine; it is taught not only in this passage, but inmultitudesofotherpassagesofGod'sWord.Dearfriends,receiveit,holdfastbyit,andneverletitgo.

Now,thenextquestionisadifferentone:WhydidGodhateEsau?Iamnotgoingtomixthisquestionupwiththeother,theyareentirelydistinct,andIintendtokeepthemso,oneanswerwillnotdofortwoquestions,theymustbe taken separately, and then canbeanswered satisfactorily.WhydoesGodhateanyman?Idefyanyonetogiveanyanswerbutthis,becausethatmandeservesit;noreplybutthatcaneverbetrue.Therearesomewhoanswer,divinesovereignty;but I challenge themto look thatdoctrineintheface.DoyoubelievethatGodcreatedmanandarbitrarily,sovereignly - it is the same thing - created that man, with no otherintention, than that of damning him?Made him, and yet, for no otherreasonthanthatofdestroyinghimforever?Well,ifyoucanbelieveit,Ipityyou,that isallIcansay:youdeservepity, thatyoushouldthinksomeanlyofGod,whosemercyendurethforever.YouarequiterightwhenyousaythereasonwhyGodlovesaman,isbecauseGoddoesdoso;thereisnoreasonintheman.ButdonotgivethesameanswerastowhyGodhatesaman.IfGoddealswithanymanseverely, it isbecausethatmandeservesallhegets.InhelltherewillnotbeasolitarysoulthatwillsaytoGod,OLord, thouhast treatedmeworse thanIdeserve!Butevery lostspiritwillbemadetofeelthathehasgothisdeserts,thathisdestructionliesathisowndoorandnotatthedoorofGod;thatGodhadnothingtodowithhis condemnation, except as theJudge condemns the criminal,butthathehimselfbroughtdamnationuponhisownhead,astheresultofhisownevilworks.Justiceisthatwhichdamnsaman;itismercy,itisfree grace, that saves; sovereignty holds the scale of love; it is justiceholds the other scale.Who can put that into the hand of sovereignty?ThatweretolibelGodandtodishonourhim;

Now, letus lookatEsau'scharacter,saysone,"didhedeservethatGod

should cast him away?" I answer, he did. What we know of Esau'scharacter,clearlyprovesit.Esaulosthisbirthright.Donotsitdownandweep about that, and blameGod. Esau sold it himself; he sold it for amess of pottage. Oh, Esau, it is in vain for thee to say, "I lost mybirthright by decree." No, no. Jacob got it by decree, but you lost itbecauseyousold ityourself -didn'tyou?Was itnotyourownbargain?Didyounot take themessof redpottageofyourownvoluntarywill, inlieuofthebirthright?Yourdestructionliesatyourowndoor,becauseyousoldyourownsoulatyourownbargain,andyoudidityourself.DidGodinfluenceEsautodothat?Godforbid,Godisnottheauthorofsin.Esauvoluntarily gave up his own birthright. And the doctrine is, that everyman who loses heaven gives it up himself. Every man who loseseverlasting life rejects it himself.Goddenies it not tohim -hewillnotcome thathemayhave life.Why is it that aman remainsungodlyanddoes not fear God? It is because he says, "I like this drink, I like thispleasure,Ilikethissabbath-breaking,betterthanIdothethingsofGod."Nomanissavedbyhisownfree-will,buteverymanisdamnedbyitthatisdamned.Hedoesitofhisownwill;nooneconstrainshim.Youknow,sinner, that when you go away from here, and put down the cries ofconscience,thatyoudoityourself.Youknowthat,whenafterasermonyousay,"IdonotcareaboutbelievinginChrist,"yousayityourself-Youarequiteconsciousofit,andifnotconsciousofit,itisnotwithstandingadreadful fact, thatthe reasonwhyyouarewhatyouare, isbecauseyouwilltobewhatyouare.Itisyourownwillthatkeepsyouwhereyouare,the blame lies at your own door, your being still in a state of sin isvoluntary. You are a captive, but you are a voluntary captive. You willnever be willing to get free until God makes you willing. But you arewillingtobeabondslave.Thereisnodisguisingthefact,thatmanlovessin, loves evil, and does not love God. You know, though heaven ispreached to you through the blood of Christ, and though hell isthreatenedtoyouastheresultofyoursins, thatstillyoucleavetoyouriniquities;youwillnot leave them,andwillnot fly toChrist.Andwhenyou are cast away, at last it will be said of you, "you have lost yourbirthright."But you sold it yourself. You know that the ball-room suitsyoubetterthanthehouseofGod:youknowthatthepot-housesuitsyoubetterthantheprayer-meeting;youknowyoutrustyourselfratherthantrustChrist;youknowyoupreferthejoysoftheresenttimetothejoysof

the future. It is your own choice - keep itYourdamnation is your ownelection,notGod's;yourichlydeserveit.

But,saysone,"Esaurepented."Yes,hedid,butwhatsortofarepentancewasit?Didyouevernoticehisrepentance?Everymanwhorepentsandbelieveswillbesaved.Butwhatsortofarepentancewashis?Assoonashefoundthathisbrotherhadgotthebirthright,hesoughtitagainwithrepentance,hesoughtitwithtears,buthedidnotgetitback.Youknowhesoldhisbirthrightforamessofpottage;andhethoughthewouldbuyitbackbygivinghisfatheramessofpottage."There,"hesays,"Iwillgoand hunt venison formy father. I have got over him withmy savourymeat, and he will readily give me my birthright again." That is whatsinnerssay:"Ihavelostheavenbymyevilworks:Iwilleasilygetitagainbyreforming.DidInot loseitbysin?Iwillget itbackbygivingupmysins.""Ihavebeenadrunkard,"saysone,"Iwillgiveupdrinking,andIwillnowbeateetotaller."Anothersays,"Ihavebeenanawfulswearer;Iamverysorryforit,indeed;Iwillnotswearanymore."Soallhegivestohisfatherisamessofpottage,thesameasthatforwhichhesoldit.No,sinner, youmay sell heaven for a few carnal pleasures, but you cannotbuy heaven by merely giving them up. You can get heaven only onanotherground,viz.,thegroundoffree-grace.Youloseyoursoul justly,butyoucannotgetitbackbygoodworks,orbytherenunciationofyoursins.

YouthinkthatEsauwasasincerepenitent.Just letmetellyouanotherthing.Thisblessedpenitent,whenhefailedtogettheblessing,whatdidhesay?"Thedaysofmourningformyfatherareathand:thenwillIslaymybrotherJacob."Thereisapenitentforyou.ThatisnottherepentancethatcomesfromGodtheHolySpirit.Buttherearesomemenlikethat.Theysaytheyareverysorrytheyshouldhavebeensuchsinnersasthat,verysorrythattheyshouldhavebeenbroughtintosuchasadconditionas that; and then they go and do the same that they did before. Theirpenitencedoesnotbring themoutof their sin,but it leaves them in it,and, perhaps, plunges them still deeper into guilt. Now, look at thecharacter ofEsau.Theonly redeeming trait in itwas that he did beginwithrepentance,butthatrepentancewasevenanaggravationofhissin,becauseitwaswithouttheeffectsofevangelicalrepentance.AndIsay,if

Esausoldhisbirthrighthediddeservetoloseit;and,therefore,amInotrightinsaying,thatifGodhatedEsau,itwasbecausehedeservedtobehated.DoyouobservehowScripturealwaysguardsthisconclusion?TurntotheninthchapterofRomans,wherewehaveselectedourtext,seehowcarefultheHolySpiritishere,inthe22ndverse."WhatifGod,willingtoshew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with muchlongsufferingthevesselsofwrathfittedtodestruction:Andthathemightmakeknowntherichesofhisgloryonthevesselsofmercy,whichhehadafore preparded unto glory." But it does not say anything about fittingmen for destruction; they fitted themselves. They did that: God hadnothingtodowithit.Butwhenmenaresaved,Godfitsthemforthat.AlltheglorytoGodinsalvation;alltheblametomenindamnation.

If any of youwant to knowwhat I preach every day, and any strangershouldsay,"Givemeasummaryofhisdoctrine,"saythis,"Hepreachessalvationallofgrace,anddamnationallofsin.HegivesGodallthegloryforeverysoulthatissaved,buthewon'thaveitthatGodistoblameforanyman that is damned." That teaching I cannot understand.My soulrevoltsattheideaofadoctrinethatlaysthebloodofman'ssoulatGod'sdoor. I cannot conceive how any human mind, at least any Christianmind, can hold any such blasphemy as that. I delight to preach thisblessed truth - salvation of God, from first to last - the Alpha and theOmega;butwhenIcometopreachdamnation,Isay,damnationofman,not of God; and if you perish, at your own handsmust your blood berequired. There is another passage. At the last great day, when all theworldshallcomebeforeJesustobejudged,haveyounoticed,whentherighteous go on the right side, Jesus says, "Come, ye blessed of myfather," - ("of my father," mark,) - "inherit the kingdom prepared" -(markthenextword)-"foryou,frombeforethefoundationoftheworld."Whatdoeshesaytothoseontheleft?"Depart,yecursed."Hedoesnotsay,"yecursedofmyfather,but,yecursed."Andwhatelsedoeshesay?"intoeverlastingfire,prepared"-(notforyou,but)-"forthedevilandhisangels."Do you see how it is guarded, here is the salvation side of thequestion.ItisallofGod."Come,yeblessedofmyfather."Itisakingdomprepared for them. There you have election, free grace in all its lengthand breadth. But, on the other hand, you have nothing said about thefather-nothingaboutthatatall."Depart,yecursed."Eventheflamesare

saidnottobepreparedforsinners,butforthedevilandhisangels.Thereis no language that I can possibly conceive that could more forciblyexpressthisidea,supposingittobethemindoftheHolySpirit,thatthegloryshouldbetoGod,andthattheblameshouldbelaidatman'sdoor.

Now, have I not answered these two questions honestly? I haveendeavouredtogiveascripturalreasonforthedealingsofGodwithman.Hesavesmanbygrace,andifmenperishtheyperishjustlybytheirownfault."How,"sayssomeone,"doyoureconcilethesetwodoctrines?"Mydearbrethren,Ineverreconcile twofriends,never.Thesetwodoctrinesarefriendswithoneanother;fortheyarebothinGod'sWord,andIshallnotattempttoreconcilethem.Ifyoushowmethattheyareenemies,thenIwill reconcile them."But," saysone, "there is agreatdealofdifficultyabout them."Willyou tellmewhat truththere is thathasnotdifficultyaboutit?"But,"hesays,"Idonotseeit."Well,Idonotaskyoutoseeit;Iask you to believe it. There are many things in God's Word that aredifficult,andthatIcannotsee,buttheyarethere,andIbelievethem.IcannotseehowGodcanbeomnipotentandmanbefree;butitisso,andIbelieveit."Well,"saysone,"Icannotunderstandit.Myansweris,IamboundtomakeitasplainasIcan,butifyouhavenotanyunderstanding,Icannotgiveyouany; there Imust leave it.But then, again, it isnot amatterofunderstanding;itisamatteroffaith.Thesetwothingsaretrue;Idonotsee that theyatalldiffer.However, if theydid, I shouldsay, iftheyappeartocontradictoneanother,theydonotreallydoso,becauseGodnevercontradictshimself.AndIshouldthinkinthisIexhibitedthepowerofmyfaith inGod,thatIcouldbelievehim,evenwhenhiswordseemedtobecontradictory.Thatisfaith.DidnotAbrahambelieveinGodevenwhenGod'spromiseseemedtocontradicthisprovidence?Abrahamwasold,andSarahwasold,butGodsaidSarahshouldhaveachild.Howcan thatbe? saidAbraham, forSarah isold; and yetAbrahambelievedthe promise, and Sarah had a son. There was a reconciliation betweenprovidenceandpromise; and ifGod canbring providence and promisetogether,he canbringdoctrine andpromise together. If I cannot do it,Godcanevenintheworldtocome.

Now,letmejustpracticallypreachthisforoneminute.Oh,sinners,ifyeperish,onyourownheadmustbeyourdoom.Consciencetellsyouthis,

and the Word of God confirms it. You shall not be able to lay yourcondemnationatanyman'sdoorbutyourown.Ifyouperishyouperishby suicide. You are your own destroyers, because you reject Christ,becauseyoudespisethebirthrightandsell it forthatmiserablemessofpottage- thepleasuresof theworld. It isadoctrine that thrills throughme. Like a two-edged sword, I would make it pierce to the dividingasunderofthejointsandmarrow.Ifyouaredamneditshallbeyourownfault.Ifyouarefoundinhell,yourbloodshallbeonyourownhead.Youshall bring the faggots to your own burning; you shall dig the iron foryourownchains;andonyourownheadwillbeyourdoom.Butifyouaresaved, itcannotbebyyourmerits, itmustbebygrace - free, sovereigngrace.Thegospelispreachedtoyou;itisthis:"BelieveontheLordJesusChristandthoushaltbesaved."

May grace now be given to you to bring you to yield to this gloriouscommand.Mayyounowbelieveinhimwhocameintotheworldtosavesinners,ofwhomIamchief.Freegrace,whoshall tell thyglories?whoshallnarratethyachievements,orwritethyvictories?Thouhastcarriedthe cunning Jacob into glory, and made him white as the angels ofheaven, and thou shalt carrymanyablack sinner there also, andmakehimgloriousas theglorified.MayGodprove thisdoctrine tobe true inyourownexperience!Iftherestillremainsanydifficultyuponyourmindsabout any of these points, search the Word of God, and seek theilluminationofhisSpirittoteachyou.Butrecollectafterall,thesearenotthemostimportantpointsinScripture.Thatwhichconcernsyoumost,istoknowwhetheryouhaveaninterestinthebloodofChrist?whetheryoureallybelieveintheLordJesus.Ihaveonlytoucheduponthese,becausetheycauseagreatmanypeopleaworldoftrouble,andIthoughtImightbe the means of helping some of you to tread upon the neck of thedragon.MayGodgrantthatitmaybesoforChrist'ssake.

FreeGrace

NotforyoursakesdoIthis,saiththeLordGod,beitknownuntoyou:beashamedandconfoundedforyourownways,OhouseofIsrael.-Ezekiel

36:32

Therearetwosinsofmanthatarebredinthebone,andthatcontinuallycome out in the flesh. One is self-dependence and the other is self-exaltation.It isveryhard,even for thebestofmen, tokeep themselvesfromthefirsterror.TheholiestofChristians,andthosewhounderstandbestthegospelofChrist,findinthemselvesaconstantinclinationtolooktothepowerofthecreature,insteadoflookingtothepowerofGodandthe power of God alone. Over and over again, Holy Scripture has toremindusofthatwhichweneveroughttoforget,thatsalvationisGod'sworkfromfirsttolast,andisnotofman,neitherbyman.Butsoitis,thisolderror-thatwearetosaveourselves,orthatwearetodosomethinginthe matter of salvation - always rises up, and we find ourselvescontinuallytemptedbyittostepasidefromthesimplicityofourfaithinthepoweroftheLordourGod.Why,evenAbrahamhimselfwasnotfreefromthegreaterrorofrelyinguponhisownstrength.Godhadpromisedto him that He would give him a son - Isaac, the child of promise.Abraham believed it, but at last, weary with waiting, he adopted thecarnalexpedientoftakingtohimselfHagar,towife,andhefanciedthatIshmaelwouldmost certainly be the fulfillment of God's promise; butinsteadofIshmael'shelpingtofulfillthepromise,hebroughtsorrowuntoAbraham's heart, for Godwould not have it that Ishmael should dwellwithIsaac."Castout,"saidtheScripture,"thebondwomanandherson;forthesonof thebondwomanshallnotbeheirwiththesonof the freewoman."Nowwe,inthematterofsalvation,areapttothinkthatGodistarrying long in the fulfillment of His promise, and we set to workourselvestodosomething,andwhatdowedo?sinkourselvesdeeper inthemireandpileupforourselvesastoreoffuturetroublesandtrials.Dowenotread that itgrievedAbraham'sheart to sendIshmaelaway?Ah!andmanyaChristianhasbeengrievedbythoseworksofnaturewhichheaccomplishedwith thedesignofhelping theGodof grace.Oh,beloved,we shall find ourselves very frequently attempting the foolish task ofassisting Omnipotence and teaching the Omniscient One. Instead oflooking to grace alone to sanctify us, we find ourselves adoptingPhilosophic rules and principles which we think will effect the Divinework.Weshallbutmarit;weshallbringgriefintoourownspirits.Butif,insteadthereof,weineveryworklookuptotheGodofoursalvationfor

help,andstrength,andgrace,andsuccor,thenourworkwillproceedtoourownjoyandcomfort,andtoGod'sglory.Thaterror,then,Isayisinourbone,andwillalwaysdwellwithus,andhenceitisthatthewordsofthetextareputasanantidoteagainstthaterror.ItisdistinctlystatedinourtextthatsalvationisofGod."NotforyoursakesdoI this."Hesaysnothingaboutwhatwehavedoneorcando.AlltheprecedingandallthesucceedingversesspeakofwhatGoddoes."Iwill takeyoufromamongtheheathen.""Iwillsprinklecleanwateruponyou.""Iwillgiveyouanewheart.""IwillputmySpiritwithinyou."ItisallofGod:therefore,againrecalltoourrecollectionthisdoctrine,andgiveupalldependenceuponourownstrengthandpower.

Theother error towhichman is veryprone, is that of relyinguponhisownmerit. Though there is no righteousness in anyman, yet in everymanthereisapronenesstotruth insomefanciedmerit.Strangethat itshouldbeso,butthemostreprobatecharactershaveyetsomevirtueasthey imagine, uponwhich they rely. Youwill find themost abandoneddrunkard pride himself that he is not a swearer. You will find theblasphemingdrunkardpridehimself thatat leasthe ishonest.Youwillfindmenwithnoothervirtueintheworld,exaltwhattheyimaginetobea virtue - the fact that they donot profess to have any; and they thinkthemselvestobeextremelyexcellent,becausetheyhavehonestyorratherimpudence enough to confess that they are utterly vile. Somehow thehumanmindclings tohumanmerit; it alwayswillhold to it,andwhenyoutakeawayeverythinguponwhichyouthinkitcouldrely,inlessthana moment it fashions some other ground for confidence out of itself.Humannaturewithregardtoitsownmerit,islikethespider,itbearsitssupportinitsownbowels,anditseemsasifitwouldkeepspinningontoalleternity.Youmaybrushdownoneweb,butitsoonformsanother,youmaytakethethreadfromoneplace,andyouwillfinditclingingtoyourfinger, andwhen you seek to brush it downwith one hand you find itclingingtotheother.Itishardtogetridof;itiseverreadytospinitswebandbinditselftosomefalsegroundoftrust.ItisagainstallhumanmeritthatIamthismorninggoingtospeak,andIfeelthatIshalloffendagreatmanypeoplehere.Iamabouttopreachadoctrinethatisgallandvinegarto flesh and blood, one that will make righteousmoralists gnash theirteeth, andmake others go away and declare that I am anAntinomian,

andperhapsscarcelyfittolive.However,thatconsequenceisonewhichIshall not greatly deplore, if connected with it there should be in otherheartsayieldingtothisglorioustruth,andagivinguptothepowerandgraceofGod,whowillneversaveus,unlesswearepreparedtoletHimhavealltheglory.

First,Ishallendeavortoexpoundatlargethedoctrinecontainedinthistext; in the next place I shall endeavour to show its force andtruthfulness;andtheninthethirdplaceIshallseekGod'sHolySpirittoapplytheuseful,practicallessonswhicharetobedrawnfromit.

I.IshallendeavourtoEXPOUNDTHISTEXT."NotforyoursakesdoIthissaiththeLordGod."ThemotiveforthesalvationofthehumanraceistobefoundinthebreastofGod,andnotinthecharacterorconditionofman.TworaceshaverevoltedagainstGod-theoneangelic,theotherhuman.WhenapartofthisangelicracerevoltedagainsttheMostHigh,justicespeedilyovertookthem;theyweresweptfromtheirstarryseatsinHeaven, and henceforth they have been reserved in darkness unto thegreatdayofthewrathofGod.Nomercywaseverpresentedtothem,nosacrifice ever offered for them;but theywerewithout hope andmercy,forever consigned to the pit of eternal torment. The human race, farinferiorinorderofintelligence,sinnedasatrociously;atanyrate, if thesins of manhood that we have heard of be put together and rightlyweighed,Icanscarcelyunderstandhoweventhesinsofdevilscouldbemuch blacker than the sin of mankind. However, the God who in Hisinfinite justicepassedoverangels, andsuffered them forever toexpiatetheiroffencesinthefiresofhell,waspleasedtolookdownonman.Herewas election on a grand scale; the election of manhood, and thereprobationoffallenangelhood.Whatwasthereasonforit?Thereasonwas in God's mind, an inscrutable reason which we do not know, andwhichifweknewprobablywecouldnotunderstand.HadyouandIbeenput upon the choice of which should have been spared, I do think itprobable we should have chosen that fallen angels should have beensaved. Are they not the brightest? Have they not the greatest mentalstrength? If they had been redeemed, would it not have glorified Godmore, as we judge, than the salvation of worms like ourselves? Thosebrightbeings-Lucifer,sonofthemorning,andthosestarsthatwalkedin

his train- if theyhadbeenwashed inHis redeemingblood, if theyhadbeensavedbysovereignmercy,whatasongwouldtheyhavelifteduptotheMostHighandeverlastingGod!ButGod,whodoethasHewillswithHisown,andgivethnoaccountofHismatters,butwhodealswithHiscreaturesasthepotterdealswithhisclay,tooknotuponHimthenatureofangels,buttookuponHimtheseedofAbraham,andchosementobethe vessels of His mercy. This fact we know, but where is its reason?certainlynotinman."NotforyoursakesdoIthis.OhouseofIsrael,beashamedandbeconfoundedforyourownways."

Here,veryfewmenobject.Wenoticethatifwetalkabouttheelectionofmen and the non-election of fallen angels, there is not a cavil for amoment.EverymanapprovesofCalvinismtillhefeelsthatheistheloserbyit;butwhenitbeginstotouchhisownboneandhisownfleshthenhekicksagainstit.Come,then,wemustgofurther.Theonlyreasonwhyonemanissaved,andnotanother, liesnot, inanysense, inthemansaved,but inGod'sbosom.The reasonwhy thisday thegospel is preached toyou and not the heathen far away, is not because, as a race, we aresuperior to the heathen; it is not because we deserve more at God'shands;HischoiceofBritain, in theelectionofoutwardprivilege, isnotcausedbytheexcellencyoftheBritishnation,butentirelybecauseofHisownmercyandHisown love.There isnot reason inuswhywe shouldhavethegospelpreachedtousmorethananyothernation.Today,someof us have received the gospel, and have been changed by it, and havebecometheheirsof lightandimmorality,whereasothersareleftstilltobetheheirsofwrath.But there isno reason inuswhywe shouldhavebeentakenandothersleft.

"Therewasnothinginustomeritesteem,OrgivetheCreatordelight.'Twas'Evenso,Father!'weevermustsing,Becauseitseem'dgoodinthysight."

And now, let us review this doctrine at length.We are taught in HolyScripture that, long before this world was made, God foreknew andforesaw all the creatures He intended to fashion; and there and thenforeseeingthatthehumanracewouldfallintosin,anddeserveHisanger,

determined,inHisownsovereignmind,thatanimmenseportionof thehumanraceshouldbeHischildren,andshouldbebroughttoHeaven.Astotherest,Heleft themtotheirowndeserts. tosowthewindandreapthewhirlwind,toscattercrimeandinheritpunishment.Now,inthegreatdecreeofelection,theonlyreasonwhyGodselectedthevesselsofmercymusthavebeenbecauseHewoulddoit.Therewasnothinginanyoneofthemwhich causedGod to choose them.We all were alike, all lost, allruinedbythefall;allwithouttheslightestclaimuponHismercy;all, infact, deserving His utmost vengeance. His choice of any one, and Hischoice of all His people, are causeless, so far as anything in themwasconcerned. Itwas theeffectofHissovereignwill,andofnothingwhichtheydid,coulddo,orevenwoulddo;forthussaiththetext:"NotforyoursakesdoIthis,OhouseofIsrael!"

Asfor the fruitofourelection, induetimeChristcameintothisworld,and purchasedwithHis blood all thosewhom the Father hath chosen.Now come ye to the cross of Christ; bring this doctrine with you, andrememberthattheonlyreasonwhyChristgaveupHislifetobearansomforHissheepwasbecauseHelovedHispeople,buttherewasnothinginHispeople thatmadeHimdie for them. Iwas thinkingas I came herethismorning, ifanymanshould imaginethatthe loveofGodtouswascausedbyanythinginus,itwouldbeasifamanshouldlookintoawelltofind the springs of theocean, ordig into an anthill to findanAlp.TheloveofGodissoimmense,soboundlessandsoinfinite,thatyoucannotconceiveforamomentthatitcouldhavebeencausedbyanythinginus.Thelittlegoodthatisinus-thenogoodthatisinus-forthereisnone,couldnothavecaused theboundless,bottomless, shoreless, summitlesslovewhichGodmanifeststoHispeople.Standatthefootofthecross,yemerit-mongers, ye that delight in your own works; and answer thisquestion:Do you think that the Lord of life and glory could have beenbroughtdownfromHeaven,couldhavebeenfashioned likeaman,andhavebeenledtodiethroughanymeritofyours?ShallthesesacredveinsbeopenedwithanylancetlesssharpthanHisowninfinitelove?Doyouconceivethatyourpoormerits,suchastheyare,couldbesoefficaciousasto nail the Redeemer to the tree, and make Him bend His shouldersbeneath theenormous loadof theworld'sguilt?Youcannot imagine it.Theconsequenceissogreat,comparedwithwhatyousupposetobethe

case, that your logic fails in amoment. Youmay conceive that a coralinsectrearsarockbyitsmultitude,andbyitsmanyyearsofworking;butyoucannotconceivethatalltheaccumulatedmeritsofmanhood,ifthereweresuchthings,couldhavebroughttheEternalfromthethroneofHismajesty, and bowed Him to the death of the cross: that is a thing asclearly impossible to any thoughtfulmind, as impossibility can be.No;fromthecrosscomesthecry-"NotforyoursakesdoIthis,OhouseofIsrael."

AfterChrist'sdeath,therecomes,inthenextplace,theworkoftheHolySpirit. Those whom the Father hath chosen, and whom the Son hasredeemed, in due time the Holy Spirit calls "out of darkness intomarvelouslight."Now,thecallingoftheHolySpiritiswithoutanyregardto any, merit in us. If this day the Holy Spirit shall call out of thiscongregation a hundredmen, and bring themout of their estate of sinintoastateofrighteousness,youshallbringthesehundredmen,andletthemmarchinreview,and ifyoucouldreadtheirhearts,youwouldbecompelled to say, "I see no reason why the Spirit of God should haveoperateduponthese.Iseenothingwhateverthatcouldhavemeritedsuchgraceasthis-nothingthatcouldhavecausedtheoperationsandmotionsoftheSpirittoworkinthesemen."For,lookyehere.Bynature,menaresaidtobedeadinsin.IftheHolySpiritquickens,itcannotbebecauseofany power in the dead men, or any merit in them, for they are dead,corruptandrotteninthegraveoftheirsin.Ifthen,theHolySpiritsays,"Come forthand live," it isnotbecauseofanything in thedrybones, itmustbeforsomereasoninHisownmind,butnotinus.Therefore,knowyethis,menandbrethren,thatweallstanduponalevel.WehavenoneofusanythingthatcanrecommendustoGod;andiftheSpiritshallchoosetooperateinourheartsuntosalvation,HemustbemovedtodoitbyHisownsupremelove,forHecannotbemovedtodoitbyanygoodwill,gooddesire,orgooddeed,thatdwellsinusbynature.

Togoa little further: thistruth,whichholdsgoodsofar,holdsgoodalltheway. God's people, after they are called by grace, are preserved inChrist Jesus; they are "kept by the power of God through faith untosalvation;"theyarenotsufferedtosinawaytheireternalinheritance,butas temptations arise they have strength given with which to encounter

them, and as sin blackens them they are washed afresh, and againcleansed.Butmark,thereasonwhyGodkeepsHispeopleisthesameasthatwhichmadethemHispeople-Hisownfreesovereigngrace.If,mybrother, you have been delivered in the hour of temptation, pause andremember that you were not delivered for your own sake. There wasnothing in you that deserved thedeliverance. If youhavebeen fed andsuppliedinyourhourofneed,itisnotbecauseyouhavebeenafaithfulservant of God, nor because you have been a prayerful Christian; it issimplyandonlybecauseofGod'smercy.HeisnotmovedtoanythingHedoes for youby anything .that youdo forHim;Hismotive forblessingyoulieswhollyandentirelyinthedepthsofHisownbosom.BlessedbeGod,Hispeopleshallbekept.

"Nordeath,norHellshalle'erremoveHisfavouritesfromHisbreast;InthedearbosomofHisloveTheymustforeverrest."

But why? Because they are holy? Because they are sanctified? Becausethey serve God with good works? No, but because he in his sovereigngracehaslovedthem,doeslovethem,andwilllovethem,eventotheend.

And to conclude my exposition of this text. This shall hold good inHeavenitself.Thedayiscomingwheneveryblood-bought,blood-washedchild ofGod shall walk the golden streets arrayed inwhite.Our handsshall soon bear the palm; our ears shall be delighted with celestialmelodies,andoureyesfilledwiththetransportingvisionsofGod'sglory.Butmark,theonlyreasonwhyGodshallbringustoHeavenshallbeHisownlove,andnotbecausewedeservedit.Wemustfightthefight,butwedonotwinthevictorybecausewefightit;wemustlabour,butthewageatthedays'endshallbeawageofgrace,andnotadebt.WemusthonourGodhere,lookingfortherecompenseofthereward;butthatrecompensewillnotbegivenonalegalground,becausewemeritedit,butgiventousentirelybecauseGodhad lovedus, forno reason thatwas inus.WhenyouandIandeachofusshallenterHeaven,oursongshallbe,"Notuntous,notuntous,butuntothynamebealltheglory;"andthatshallbetrue,itshallnotbeamereexaggerationofgratitude.Itshallbetrue;weshall

becompelledtosingit,becausewecouldnotsinganythingelse.Weshallfeelthatwedidnothing,andthatwewerenothing,butthatGoddiditall-thatwehadnothinginustobethemotiveofhisdoingit,butthatHismotive lay inHimself; thereforeuntoHimshallbeeveryparticleof thehonourforeverandever.

Now,this,Itakeit,isthemeaningofthetext;distastefulitistothegreatmajority, even of professingChristians in this age. It is a doctrine thatrequiresagreatdealof salt, or else fewpeoplewill receive it. It is veryunsavorytothem.However,thereItstands."LetGodbetrue,andeveryman a liar." His truth we must preach, and this we must proclaim.Salvationis"notofmen,neitherbyman;notofthewilloftheflesh,norofblood,"norofbirth,butofthesovereignwillofGod,andGodalone.

II.Andnow,inthesecondplace,IhavetoILLUSTRATEANDENFORCETHISTEXT.

Consideramomentman'scharacter.Itwillhumbleus,anditwilltendtoconfirm this truth in our minds. Let me take an illustration. I willconsidermanasacriminal.HecertainlyissuchinthesightofGod,andIshall not slander him. Suppose now that some great criminal is at lastovertaken in his sin, and shut up in Newgate. He has committed hightreason,murder,rebellion,andeverypossibleiniquity.Hehasbrokenallthelawsoftherealm-everyoneofthem.Thepubliccryiseverywhere-"Thismanmust die; the laws cannot bemaintained unless he shall bemadeanexampleoftheirrigour.Hewhobearethnottheswordinvainmust this time let the sword taste blood. Themanmust die; he richlydeservesit."Youlookthroughhischaracter:youcannotseeonesolitaryredeemingtrait.He isanoldoffender;hehasso longpersevered inhisiniquity that you are compelled to say, "The case is hopeless with thisman;his crimeshave such aggravationwe cannotmakeanapology forhim, even should we try. Not jesuitical cunning itself could devise anypretenceofexcuse,oranyhopeofapleaforthisabandonedwretch; lethim die!" Now, if her Majesty the Queen, having in her hands thesovereignpoweroflifeanddeath,choosesthatthismanshallnotdie,butthatheshallbespared,doyounotseeasplainasdaylight,thattheonlyreasonthatcanmovehertosparethatman,mustbeherown love,her

owncompassion?For,asIhavesupposedalreadythatthereisnothinginthatman'scharacterthatcanbeapleaformercy,butthat,contrariwise,hiswholecharactercriesaloudforvengeanceagainsthissin.Whetherwelikeitornot,thisis just thetruthconcerningourselves.This is justourcharacter and position beforeGod.Ah!my hearer, youmay turn uponyourheel,disgustedandoffended;buttherearesomeherewhofeelittobesolemnlytrueintheirownexperience,andtheywillthereforedrinkinthedoctrine,foritistheonlywaywherebytheycanbesaved.Myhearer,yourconscienceperhapsistellingyouthismorningthatyouhavesinnedsoheinously that there isnotan inlet fora solitary rayofhope in yourcharacter. You have added to your sins this great one, that you haverebelled against theMostHighwantonly andwickedly. If youhavenotcommitted all the sins in the calendar of crime, It has been becauseprovidencehasstayedyourhand,Yourhearthasbeenblackenoughforitall. You feel that the vileness of your imagination and desires hasachievedtheconsummationofhumanguilt,andfurtheryoucouldnotgo.Your sins have prevailed against you, and have gone over your head.Now,man,theonlygrounduponwhichGodcansaveyouisHisownlove.He cannot save you because you deserve it, for you do not deserve it,becausethereisnoexcusethatmightbemadeforyoursin.No,youarewithoutanyexcuse,andyoufeelit.Oh!blessHisdearname,thatHehasdevised this way, wherebyHe can save you upon the basis ofHis ownsovereignloveandunboundedgrace,withoutanythinginyou.IwantyoutogobacktoNewgateagainto thiscriminal.Wesupposenowthat thiscriminalisvisitedbyherMajestyinperson.Shegoestohim,andshesaystohim,"Rebel,traitor,murderer,Ihaveinmyheartcompassionforyou;youdeserveitnot;butIamcomethisdaytoyou,totellyouthatifyourepentyoushallhavemercyatmyhands."Supposethisman,springingup,shouldcurseher-cursethisangelofmercytoherface,spituponher,andutterblasphemies,andimprecatecursesuponherhead.Sheretires;sheisgone;butsogreatishercompassion,thatthenextdayshesendsamessenger,anddays,andweeks,andmonths,andyears,shecontinuallysendsmessengers,andthesegotohim,andtheysay,"Ifyouwillrepentofyourtransgressionsyoushallhavemercy;notbecauseyoudeserveit,butbecauseherMajesty is compassionate,andoutofher gracious soulshe desires your salvation.Will you repent?" Suppose thisman shouldcurseatthemessenger,stophisearsagainstthemessage,spituponhim,

tell him he does not care for him at all. Or to suppose a better case -suppose he turns upon his seat and says, "I don't care whether I amhangedornot;I'lltakemychancealongwithotherpeople;Ishalltakenonotice of you." And suppose more than that, rising from his seat, heindulges again in all the crimes for which he has already beencondemned,andplungesheadlongafresh into thevery sinswhichhavebroughthisneckundertheropeofthegallows.Now,ifherMajestywouldsparesuchamanas that,onwhat termscanshedo it?Yousay, "Why,shecannot,unlessshedoesitoutoflove;shecannotbecauseofanymeritinhim,becausesuchabeastasthatoughttodie."AndnowwhatareyouandIbynaturebutlikethis?Andmyunconvertedhearer,whatisthisbutapictureofyou?HasnotGodHimselfvisitedyourconscience?andhasHe not said to you, "Sinner! come now, let us reason together; thoughyoursinsbeasscarlettheyshallbeaswool."Andwhathaveyoudone?Stopped your ear against the voice of conscience - cursed and swore atGod,blasphemedHisholyname,despisedHisWord,andrailedagainstHisministers.Andthisday,again,withtearsinhiseyes,aservantofGodiscometoyou,andhismessageis,"BelieveontheLordJesusChristandthou shalt be saved; as I live, saith theLord, I have no pleasure in thedeathofhimthatdieth,buthadratherthatheshouldturnuntomeandlive."Andwhatwillyoudo.Why,iflefttoyourselvesyouwilllaughatthemessage-despiseit.Itwillglanceofffromyoulikeanarrowfromamanthatisgirtaboutwithmail,andyouwillgoawaytodespiseGodagain,asyouhavedonebefore.Doyounot see, then, that ifGodever shall saveyou,itcannotbeforyoursakes;butmustbefromHisowninfinitelove;itcannotbefromanyotherreason,sinceyouhaverejectedChrist,despisedHisgospel,troddenunderfootthebloodofJesus,andhaverefusedtobesaved.IfHesavesyou,itmustbefreegrace,andfreegracealone.

ButnowpicturealittlemoreaboutthiscriminalatNewgate.Notcontentwithhavingaddedsintosin,andhavingrejectedmercyforhimself,thiswretchindustriouslyemployshimselfingoingroundtoallthecellswhereothersareconfined,andhardeningtheirheartsalsoagainstthemercyoftheQueen.Hecanscarceseeapersonbuthebeginstotainthimwiththeblasphemy of his own heart; he utters injurious things against themajesty that spares him, and endeavours to make others as vile ashimself.Now,whatdoesjusticesay?Ifthismanoughtnottodieonhis

own account, yet he ought to die for the sake of others; and if he bespared,isitnotasplainasapike-staffthathecannotbesparedbecauseof any reason in him? It must be because of the unconquerablecompassionoftheSovereign.Andnowlookyouhere:isnotthisthecaseofsomeherepresent?Notonlydoyousinyourselves,butleadothersintosin? I know this was one ofmy plagues and torments, when first GodbroughtmetoHimself,thatIhaveledothersintotemptation.Aretherenotmenherethathavetaughtotherstoswear?Aretherenotfathersherethat have helped to destroy their own children's souls? Are there notsome of you that are like the deadly Upas tree? You stretch out yourbranches,andfromevery leaf theredropspoisonuponthosewhocomebeneathitsdeadlyrange.Aretherenotsomeherewhohaveseducedthevirtuous,thathavemisledthosewhowereseeminglypious,andthatareperhaps sohardened that theyevenglory in it?Not contentwithbeingdamned yourselves, you are seeking to lead others to the pit also.ThinkingitnotenoughyourselvestobeatenmitywithGod,youwanttoimitateSatanbydraggingotherswithyou.Omyhearer, isnot this thycase?Doesnotthyheartconfessit?Anddoesnotthetearflowdownthycheek?Remember,then,thismustbetrue:ifGodshallsavethee,itmustbebecauseHewilldo it. Itcannotbebecausethere isanythinggoodinthee, for thou deservedst now to die, and if He spare thee it must besovereignloveandsovereigngrace.

Iwilljustuseoneotherillustration,andthen,IthinkIshallhavemadethetextclearenough.Thereisnotsomuchdifferencebetweenblackandadarkershadeofblackasthereisbetweenpurewhiteandblack.Everyonecanseethat.Thenthereisnotsomuchdifferencebetweenmanandthe devil as there is between God andman. God is perfection; we areblackwithsin.Thedevilisonlyadarkershadeofblack;andgreatasmaybe the difference between our sin and the sin of Satan, yet it is not sogreat as the difference between the perfection of God and theimperfection of man. Now, imagine for a minute that somewhere inAfricathereshouldbeatribeofdevilsliving,thatyouandIhaditinourpower to save these devils from some threatened wrath which mustovertake them. If youor I shouldgo thereanddie to save thosedevils,whatcouldbeourmotive?Fromwhatweknowofthecharacterofadevil,theonlymotivethatcouldmakeusdothatmustbelove.Therecouldnot

beanyother.Itmustbesimplybecausewehadsuchbigheartsthatwecouldevenembracefiendswithinthem.Well,now,thereisnotsomuchdifferencebetweenmanandthedevilasbetweenGodandman.If,then,the onlymotive that couldmakemen save a devilmust beman's love,does itnot followwith irresistible force, that theonlymotive thatcouldleadGodtosavemenmustbeGod'sownlove.Atanyrate,ifthatreasonbenotcogent the fact is indisputable - "Not for your sakesdo I this,OhouseofIsrael."Godseesus,abandoned,evil,wicked,anddeservingHiswrath;ifHesavesus,itisHisboundless,fathomlesslovethatleadsHimtodoit-nothingwhateverinus.

III.Andnow,havingthuspreachedthisdoctrine,andenforcedit,Icometo a very solemn PRACTICAL APPLICATION. And here may God theHolySpirithelpmelabourwithyourhearts!

First,sincethisdoctrineistrue,howhumbleaChristianmanoughttobe.Ifthoubesaved,thouhasthadnoughttodowithit;Godhasdoneit. Ifthoube saved, thouhastnotdeserved it. It ismercyundeservedwhichthouhastreceived.IhavesometimesbeendelightedwhenIhaveseenthegratitude of abandoned characters to any who have assisted them. Iremembervisitingahouseofrefuge.Therewasapoorgirltherewhohadfallen into sin long, and when she found herself kindly addressed andrecognized by society, and saw a Christian minister longing after hersoul'sgood,itbrokeherheart.WhatshouldamanofGodcareabouther?shewassovile.HowcoulditbethataChristianshouldspeaktoher?Ah!but howmuchmore should that feeling rise in our hearts?My God! Ihave rebelled against thee, and yet thou hast lovedme, unworthy me!Howcanitbe?Icannotliftmyselfupwithpride,ImustbowdownbeforeTheeinspeechlessgratitude.Remember,mydearbrethren,thatnotonlyis the mercy which you and I have received undeserved, but it wasunasked.Itistrueyouprayed,butnottillfreegracemadeyoupray.Youwould have been, to this day, hardened in heart, without God, andwithoutChrist,hadnot freegracesavedyou.Canyoubeproud then? -proudofmercywhich,ifImayusetheterm,hasbeenforceduponyou?-proudofgracewhichhasbeengivenyouagainstyourwill,untilyourwillwaschangedbysovereigngrace?Andthinkagain.Allthemercyyouhaveyou once refused, Christ supswith you; be not proud ofHis company.

Remember, therewasadaywhenHeknocked,andyourefused -whenHecametothedoorandsaid,"Myhead iswetwithdew,andmy lockswiththedropsofthenight;opentome,mybeloved;"andyoubarreditinHisfaceandwouldnot letHimenter.Benotproud,then,ofwhatthouhast,whenthourememberestthatthoudidstoncerejectHim.DoesGodembraceTheeinHisarmsoflove?Remember,oncethouliftedstupthinehandofrebellionagainstHim.IsthynamewritteninHisbook?Ah!therewasatimewhen, if ithadbeen inthypower, thouwouldsthaveerasedthesacredlinesthatcontainedthineownsalvation.Canwe,darewe,liftup our wicked head with pride, when all these things shouldmake ushangourheadsdowninthedeepesthumility?Thatisonelesson:letuslearnanother.

Thisdoctrineistrue,andthereforeitshouldbeasubjectofthegreatestgratitude. When meditating upon this text yesterday, the effect it haduponmewasoneof transport and joy.Oh! I thought,uponwhatothercondition could I have been saved? And I looked back upon my pastestate; I sawmyselfpiously trainedandeducated,but revolting againstall that. I saw a mother's tears shed over me in vain, and a father'sadmonition lostuponme,andyet I foundmyselfsavedby grace, and Icouldonlysay,"Lord,IblessTheethatitisbygrace,forifithadbeenbymerit I had never been saved. If thou hadst waited till there wassomething good in me, thou wouldst have waited till I sank into thehopelessperditionofhell,forgoodinmanthereneverwouldhavebeen,unless thou hadst first put it there." And then I thought immediately,"Oh!howIcouldgoandpreachthattothepoorsinner!"Ah!letmetryifIcannot.Osinner!yousayyoudarenotcometoChristbecauseyouhavenothing to recommend you.He does notwant anything to recommendyou;Hewill not save you, if youhave anything to recommend you, forHissays,"NotforyousakedoIthis."GotoChristwithearringsinyourears,andjewelsuponyou;washyourface,andarrayyourselfwithgoldand silver, and go beforeHim and say, "Lord, saveme; I havewashedmyselfandclothedmyself;saveme!""Getyougone!NotforyoursakeswillIdothis."GotoHimagain,andsay,"Lord,Ihaveputaropeaboutmyneck,andsackclothaboutmyloins;seehowrepentantIam,seehowIfeelmyneed;now saveme!" "No," saithHe, "Iwould not save you onaccountofyourflauntingrobes,andnowIwillnotsaveyoubecauseof

yourrags;Iwillsaveyoufornothingaboutyou;ifIdosaveyou,itwillbefromsomething inmyheart,not fromanything you feel.Get ye gone!"ButiftodayyougotoChristandsay,"LordJesus,thereisnoreasonintheworldwhyIshouldbesaved-thereisoneinHeaven;Lord,Icannoturgeanyplea, Ideserve tobe lost, Ihavenoexcuse tomake forallmysins,noapology tooffer;Lord, Ideserve it, and there isnothing inmewhyIshouldbesaved,for if thouwouldstsavemeIshouldmakebutapoorChristian,afterall;IfearthatmyfutureworkswillbenohonourtoThee-Iwishtheycouldbe,butthygracemustmakethemgood,elsetheywillstillbebad.But,Lord,thouIhavenothingtobring,andnothingtosay formyself, Ido say this: Ihaveheard that thouhast come into theworldtosavesinners-OLord,saveme!

'Ithechiefofsinnersam.'

IconfessIdonotfeelthisasIought,IdonotmournitasIought;Ihaveno repentance to recommend me; nay, Lord, I have no faith torecommendmeeither,forIdonotbelievethypromiseasIought;butoh!Iclingtothistext.Lord,thouhastsaidthouwiltnotdoitformysake.IthankTheethouhastsaidthat.Thoucouldstnotdoitformysake,forIhavenoreasonwhythoushouldst.Lord,Iclaimthygraciouspromise.'Bemerciful tome, a sinner."' Ah! you good people, this doctrine does notsuit someof you; it is toohumbling, is itnot?You that have kept yourchurchesregularly,andbeentomeetingssopiously,youthatneverbroketheSabbath,orneversworeanoath,ordidanythingwrong,thisdoesnotsuityou.Yousayitwilldoverywelltopreachtoharlots,anddrunkards,and swearers,but itwillnot suitsuch goodpeople aswe are.Ah!well,this is your text - "Ihavenot come to call the righteous, but sinners torepentance."Youare "whole" - you are; you "neednot a physician, buttheythataresick."Goyourway.Christcametosavesuchasyouare.Youthinkyoucansaveyourselves.Doit,andperishinthedoingof it.ButIfeel thatthesamegospel that suitsaharlot suitsme,and that that freegracewhichsavedSaulofTarsusmust saveme, else I amnever saved.Come,letusallgotogether.Weareallguilty-somemore,someless,butallhopelesslyguilty.LetusgotogethertothefootstoolofHismercy,andthough we dare not look up, let us lie there in the dust, and sigh outagain,"LordhavemercyuponusforwhomJesusdied."

"JustasIam,withoutoneplea,Butthatthybloodwasshedforme,AndthatthoubidstmecometoThee,OLambofGod,Icome,Icome."

Sinner,comenow;comenow,Ibeseechthee;Ientreatthee,comenow.OSpiritofthelivingGod,drawthemnow!Letthesefeebleweakwordsbethemeansofdrawingsouls toChrist.Will you rejectmyMasteragain?Willyougooutofthishousehardenedoncemore?Youmayneveragainhavesuchfeelingsasthosewhicharearoused inyoursoul.Come,now,receiveHismercy;nowbendyourwillingneckstoHisyoke;andthenIknowyou shall go away to tasteHis faithful love, andat last to sing inHeaventhesongoftheredeemed-"Untohimthatlovedus,andwashedusfromoursinsinhisownblood,untohimbegloryforever.Amen."

"OthougreateternalJesus,HighandmightyPrinceofPeace,HowThywondersshineresplendent,InthewondersofThygrace:Thyrichgospelscornsconditions,Breathessalvationfreeasair;Onlybreathestriumphantmercy,Bafflingguilt,andalldespair."Othegrandeurofthegospel,Howitsoundsthecleansingblood;ShowsthebowelsofaSaviour,ShowsthetenderheartofGod.Onlytreatsofloveeternal,Swellstheall-aboundinggrace,Nothingknowsbutlifeandpardon,Fullredemption,endlesspeace."