Henry Law, London, 1871
 

Come, listen for a few short minutes to some friendly words. If you hear me to the end, you will be detained but for a little while. If you should become weary of me, turn your eye from the page, and I am gone. But my hope is that you will not dismiss me, until my message has been fully told.

Do you say, "I know you not. What can be your business with me?" In social life we do not refuse to exchange courteous words with strangers. Therefore the fact that I plead no previous acquaintance, is no reason why your ears should instantly be closed. Strangers have talked with you and you have gained no good. Let me, though a stranger, tell my tale, and I have good hope that you may bless the day which brought me to your notice.

But now an uncomfortable feeling seems to creep over you. You say, "I understand you. This introduction intimates that your design is to talk about my soul and my eternity; I must not admit such thoughts; they cannot fail to make me unhappy, therefore I think we had better part at once."

No, do not thus cut me short. You fear that my converse, if on eternal matters, will interrupt your happiness. Tell me then, Are you happy?

Pause one moment, give an honest answer. Ah! your countenance is sad — a sigh breaks from you; the truth is manifest — you are not. If then you do not possess happiness, my words cannot rob you of what you have not.

Now I seem to read an anxious thought in your bosom; "would that I could gain that treasure!" But something like despair tells you that all such hope is in vain — that happiness and you can never meet. You shrink from listening to my statements, lest they should only show you that your state cannot be mended. You are disposed to hasten away, and to drown thought by forcing some noisy merriment into the present hour.

Stay, stay, my friend; you are wholly wrong — a cruel enemy — a vile deceiver — leads you into this self-destroying error. I come with tidings, which, if God grants His blessing, will bring happiness in their hand, and change all your wretchedness into peace; all your misery into joy; all your forlorn disquietude into tranquil delight.

You say, "Can it be so?" I reply, Fear not — it is true. Will you listen? I see that I have gained your ear, and will therefore thankfully, hopefully, proceed.

Why is it that you are always striving to drown thought? It is because you know that conscience, if aroused to speak, would show that you are pursuing a course of deliberate sin, the end of which must be the eternal wrath of God. I gain then one important point in having your confession, that you are a transgressor of God's law, and that you dread condemnation at His just bar.

Now I do not come to set your sins before you in the terrific light of God's condemning law. My object is not to upbraid you, nor to depict your low condition in the eyes of men, and your fearful prospect for the endless ages. I take my stand on the acknowledged fact, that your heart is lonely, desolate, and sad — that you are conscious of the multitude of your transgressions — and that you dare not face the awful future. My heart burns to tell you that all this gloom may yet be chased away. I am eager to announce a sweet hope of pardon and of peace.

Do not be incredulous. Do not reason, "I cannot undo the past — I cannot undo the abominations which have stained my life; I cannot be innocent before God; my sins are many and most vile; and such must be their character forever."

Friend, you pronounce these bitter things against yourself, either wholly ignorant, or utterly forgetful, that Jehovah, your great Creator, your gracious preserver is a God, whose name is Love; who delights in mercy; who wills not the death of a sinner; who, in the riches of His grace, has decreed and accomplished a scheme of salvation, in which forgiveness reigns — in which all guilty stains become whiter than snow — all mountains of iniquity disappear — all impurity is washed away — the vilest are welcomed — the most hardened are melted — the worst outcasts are brought home.

All these great and good things are freely dispensed in the glorious Gospel of His beloved Son. And now, He, who has spared you so long, and has not allowed His full displeasure to dash you in pieces, comes, and by the voice of His messenger bids you contemplate the treasures of grace, and mercy, and loving-kindness, which are here opened for your hands to take. Hear then a few sentences concerning Jesus, the sum and substance of our Gospel-hope.

Would that I could tell you how great He is! But thoughts and words fail. Let it then suffice to say, that He is God's only begotten and well-beloved Son. He is equal to the Father in all the glories of Deity; He is very and eternal God. All power, might, majesty, glory, are His essential property.

When you have fully set before your mind the all-surpassing dignity of His person, advance in thought to this fact. God, in His tender love, sent this, His glorious Son, higher than the heavens, to become man, to take the poverty and lowliness of our nature upon Him, to be made in all things like unto us, sin only excepted. "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." And again, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." Here you see the greatest conceivable effort on the part of the Father to rescue sinners from their misery.

Here you see the glorious Jesus ready to undergo any humiliation, that He may become a Savior. You must admit, then, the desire of God is to deliver from woe.

When Jesus was thus very man, without ceasing to be very God, our Heavenly Father, in His grace, transferred to Him the transgressions of His people. He removed sin from the sinner, and placed it on the Sinless. "All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6. "He has made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Cor. 5:21. This fact might be confirmed by many other Bible-statements. But enough is said to prove that infinite grace has called Jesus to bear our griefs and carry our sorrows. You must surely admit God is willing to relieve the sinner of his sins. The sinner need no longer be his own sin-bearer.

Advance another step. When the sins of His people were thus regarded as belonging to Jesus, God dealt with Jesus as though He were the perpetrator of all and each. He righteously inflicted on Him the total punishment. He exacted of Him the whole curse. The vengeance denounced against them collectively and individually fell on Him. Thus Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, and on the Cross of Calvary, made "His soul an offering for sin." He actually and verily stood in the sinner's place. — In the sinner's name and stead He gave due satisfaction to every attribute of God. Each believer endures in the person of his Lord the whole wrath denounced against his personal transgressions.

Marvelous fact! glorious truth! blessed reality! The believer suffers in Christ — dies in Christ — pays in Christ — satisfies in Christ. Thus Paul exclaims, "I am crucified with Christ." Gal. 2:20. You must now admit, that in the work of Christ — redemption is accomplished — salvation is procured — sins are atoned for — souls are saved.

And now the proclamation goes forth, "Look unto me, and be saved." "Whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life." "By Him, all who believe are justified from all things."

"Incline your ear, and come unto me — hear, and your soul shall live." "Whoever will, let him take the water of life freely." God is "just, and the justifier of him who believes in Jesus." "He who believes has everlasting life."

These calls and assurances are so amazing, that perhaps — half-persuaded, half-doubting — you think– But can these things be? Can there be such grace in God? can such blessedness be extended to the children of men? But God must be true. There cannot be any word from His lips in which error has place. Jehovah from His throne on high cannot deceive His children or delude them by visionary hopes. Whatever is said by Him must be an eternal truth, which never can fail — which nothing can hinder. And does not every gospel-page echo and re-echo with the tidings, that every poor sinner, who comes to the blessed Jesus in faith, shall be delivered from all condemnation, and shall be made heir of heaven's blessedness?

You assent to this statement. You know it to be the faithful tidings of the Gospel. Well then, turn not from the glorious hope set before you. Only make it your own. Only draw near to Jesus — accept His invitation — cast yourself on His grace and mercy — put all your trust in the merits of His sufferings — hide your sins under the perfection of His infinite righteousness — and you are pardoned, cleansed from all iniquity, and everlastingly saved.

But perhaps you sigh, "my sins! my sins!! there never were the like. Oh! no. I may not venture to the holy Savior. I would be spurned, rejected, cast back."

I boldly reply, that this fear is only the offspring of unwillingness, and unbelief. It is suggested by the enemy, who trembles, lest you should escape. Will you cast it away, if I can prove it to be utterly opposed to the Word and the Heart of Jesus, and the ways of His grace.

1. HIS WORD. He has, as if for the very purpose of slaying such doubts, by His Spirit recorded this gracious assurance, "Him that comes to Me, I will never cast out." John 6:37. If this word be a deception, the whole Gospel falls to the ground, and there is no hope for any child of Adam. But it is the solemn pledge of Him who is "the way, the truth, and the life." At this very moment then, let your soul draw near to Jesus; tell Him that you know there is salvation in Him, and Him alone; that you come pleading His word, and beseeching Him to give you a place among His saved ones.

2. HIS HEART. But perhaps some fears still keep you back. You think that He cannot but loathe one, who has so rolled in the mire of pollution. I will say nothing to extenuate your guilt. I will not send you for comfort to the flimsy plea, that your case is not uncommon. No! I direct you only to the tender heart of our Lord. The immensity of your misery is a strong plea to the infinity of His compassions. Why did Jesus become man, groan in the garden, and lay down His life on the Cross? Because He so tenderly felt for the extremity of misery, and loved us when we were dead in trespasses and sins. His heart is in not changed, "He is the same yesterday, and today, and forever." Among all His saved multitudes there is not one whom He has not, in the pitifulness of His mercies, rescued from depths of iniquity. Your sins are a mighty mass — but the magnitude of His tenderness overtops them all. His heart is a tablet engraved with sinners' names. Plead with Him that He loves the wretched, and that you draw near the most wretched of the wretched. He will receive you, for He cannot act in opposition to His Heart.

3. THE WAYS OF GRACE. The Holy Spirit in tender love is diffuse in records of striking instances to attract the chief of sinners and to level doubts. Behold the case of our first parents. The sin which stands the foremost in the Word is the foremost in gigantic enormity. No motions of internal corruptions tempted to it. The enticement was of trivial strength. The consequence was the just perdition of the whole family of man. It was followed by no tears of contrition — no confession of iniquity — no cries for pardon. If there could be guilt beyond the utmost limits of forgiveness, surely the guilt is here. But no — grace bounds to save them — and the Gospel of redemption through the woman's seed is freely proclaimed. Let this instance so conspicuous in the Bible-page have full effect. It surely tells, that there is pardon for the worst.

You doubtless know the history of Rahab. She lived a heathen among heathens. To say the least, her name is linked with infamy. No outward reason can be found why heavenly smiles should raise her to distinction. But she was favored above women. Her eyes were opened to perceive the truths of God. She was delivered in the general destruction of her town. She was the means to save her kindred. She obtained place among the progenitors of the God-man. She stands a monument of saving grace — and calls on you to turn from evil to our pardoning God. Can you consider her, and bar the door to hope?

Manasseh stands out as a monster among the monsters. We turn with loathing from the bare recital of his odious course. But grace yearned over him. Afflictions were ordained. He was hurried a captive from his home. In the prison his heart was humbled — a spirit of supplication was conferred — and the truth was received, that "the Lord He was God." 2 Chr. 33. You see in him, that no amount of abominable crime places the sinner beyond the reach of enlightening and converting grace. Surely this case forbids you to despair.

In the fullness of time the Great Redeemer comes. His own lips tell His wondrous purpose. Do they refuse the vilest of the vile — the most polluted of sin's slaves — the stained with the deepest taint of infamy — the branded with the crimson and the scarlet dye? Far otherwise — the smile averted from the self-righteous beams tenderly on such poor outcasts. The proclamation runs, "I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." Matt. 9:13. May the Spirit open your ears this day to hear the call extending unto you! Again hear His announcement, "The publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you." Matt. 21:31. Matchless grace! These words assure you that in His kingdom there is room for you — yes, even for you! Can you now fear that heaven's gate is not wide open for you! Do you not hear a voice, Come, enter in!

Go to Samaria's well. Jesus, way-worn and weary, is there seated. A woman from the town draws near. He leads her on by gentle converse to confess her guilty state. Is she then reproached — reviled and spurned in righteous anger from Him? No, she hears the glorious truth, that He was indeed the Christ. "I who speak unto you am He." John 4:26. May the same voice now ring throughout your heart, I am Jesus, still able and willing to save you to the uttermost.

Go to the house of Simon the Pharisee. A poor female cannot be kept back. She breaks through obstacles and reaches Him. Showing every sign of penitence and ardent love, she "stood at His feet behind Him weeping, and washed His feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head and kissed His feet, and anointed them with the ointment." Simon was shocked and startled, that such endearments were received — for this poor penitent was one notorious for evil living in the town. But Jesus gave no repulse. His words assure her, "Your sins are forgiven." "Your faith has saved you, go in peace." Draw near in penitence as deep — in love as true — in faith as lively — in gratitude as fervent, and fear not that a similar welcome will be yours.

Who can mark unmoved the loving train, which followed the steps of Jesus! From each the testimony comes — See whom this precious Savior joys to save! See whom He rescues from the vilest depths. See whom He mightily reclaims. See from whose hands He deigns to take His sustenance. "And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, and many others, which ministered to Him of their substance." Luke 8:2, 3. If you had joined this company, would you have been repelled? Why then now hesitate? Though high in heaven He is still very near. The hand of faith may at each moment touch Him. Other instances most tenderly invite. They thicken round you, like constraining cords, drawing with sweet force.

Say not these cases show the gracious heart of Jesus walking as man among His fellow-men. But was there no change when the death at Calvary concluded His personal ministry on earth? Approach and see. He rises victorious from the grave. He gives commission to His disciples. They are to preach repentance and remission of sins in His name among all nations. Is any place selected for especial notice? Are any sinners to have priority of call? It is so. The first call is to Jerusalem-sinners. The mandate states, "Beginning at Jerusalem." Luke 24:47. What! Jerusalem! The scene of His bitter scorn — reviling — suffering. What, among those whose murderous cry almost still lingers in the echo, "Away with Him! Away with Him! Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" What, among those whose hands are almost reeking with His blood! Yes! Seek first my maddened murderers, and tell them, that there is pardon — mercy — grace, acceptance for them — tell them, that My arms are open to embrace them. Follow them with invitations, Come, Come to Me. Can then your case be desperate? Are you beyond the pale of hope? Look toward the Mercy-seat. You will find that grace still reigns unexhausted — inexhaustible.

You have heard of luxurious Corinth — ill-famed for all impurity, the lewdest seat of sexual excess. Of this city the blessed Jesus testifies, that He has many people in it. Acts 18:10. Paul preached there, and many heard and turned unto the Lord. He subsequently states a hideous catalogue of the outrageous evils which most soil our race. He fixes on them large participation, "And such were some of you." Does he add, Therefore your doom is sealed — I turn away. No, he subjoins, "But you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Cor. 6:11. Why should it not be said of you — You too are washed — you too are sanctified — you too are justified! The cleansing blood has lost no power — the renovating Spirit is still omnipotent to sanctify — the power of faith is still unbounded to make righteous.

Gaze on these jewels sparkling on the Gospel-page. They are written for your encouragement. Oh! then, be encouraged. I appeal to you, that you never heard of a case in which the cry to Jesus for pardon, and peace, and life, was not heard and answered. If you really flee to Him, and He drives you back, yours will be the first rejected case; and it would break the countless assurances which the God of grace and truth has given.

It would be very pleasing to me to proceed to depict the change which pervades the heart, in which Jesus is admitted as Savior and Friend. But I promised to be brief, and therefore will retire beseeching you to think of Him to whom my words have called you. Contemplate His greatness — His majesty and glory — His tenderness and love and grace. Think how great He is, who is Jehovah's fellow — "God over all blessed for evermore" — "the brightness of His Father's glory — the express image of His person." It is in Jesus Christ, that the Father is seen and known, and loved and worshiped. He is the seal, which shows the Father's image. He is the superscription which records the Father's essence. Would you learn the Father's attributes? You must study Christ, who is their visible display. The light of the knowledge of the glory of God is in the face of Jesus Christ. There you see justice — wisdom — truth and love blended in harmonious beauty. Learn to know Christ and you know God. He is the pearl of great price hid in the Bible-field. He is the end of the law for righteousness — the first and last of Scripture-revelation — the truth of every type — the purpose of the noble line of prophecy. Without Him Scripture is a blank — a chaos — a delusion. Without Him the Spirit has no testimony — no channel through which His gifts can flow — the preacher no theme — faith no object — the sinner no hope.

Think of Jesus' matchless worth. Angels are great — but their collected weight is infinitely outweighed by Him. Pile in one mass all kings and potentates of earth — all the wisdom of the wisest — and might of the mightiest — and strength of the strongest — it is all less than nothing, when compared to Him. Without Him heaven is no heaven — there is no crown of life — no hymn of victory — no never-ending hallelujah — no good now — no happiness forever.

Think too of His work to save poor sinners. To redeem them he came down from heaven — put on the rags of our mortality — agonized and bled and died. To justify them He rose again from the dead — ascended into heaven — and sits on the right hand of the Majesty on high. To bless them He ever lives to intercede — pouring down the Spirit's gifts. To receive them He will soon come again. Oh! think of Him, and open wide your heart to give Him welcome. As you value your soul, as you desire to escape the bitter pains of eternal death, as you would be partaker of the pleasures for evermore at God's right hand, ponder these things.

I say, Farewell, asking you by all the love, which is in God our heavenly Father — by all the merits of the Cross of Jesus — by all His rising power, and interceding grace — by all the glories of His coming kingdom — by all the life-giving virtue, and comforting presence, and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit — to fall on your knees before the God of our Salvation, and not to let Him go until you can say, "I have found the Savior," or rather "the Savior has found me. My sins, which are many, are forgiven."