just quoted, are distinct and express. '' I would have ffathered thy children," says Christ, " and ye would not.^' L wiU of poor hardened unbeUeving man. and not the wiU of Christ, is the cause why sinners are lost for evermore. Christ " would " save them, hut they will " not be '* saved.
Let the truth before us sink down into our hearts, and bear fruit in our lives. Let us thoroughly understand that if we die in our sins and go to hell, our blood will be upon our own heads. We cannot lay the blame on God the Father, nor on Jesus Christ the Redeemer, nor on the Holy Ghost the Comforter. The promises of the Gospel are wide, broad, and general. The readiness of Christ to save sinners is nnmistakeably declared. If we are lost, we shall have none to find fault with but our- selves. The words of Christ will be our condemnation : "Te will not come unto me, that ye might have life." (John V. 40.)
Let us take heed, with such a passage as this before us, that we are not more systematic than Scripture. It is a serious thing to be " wise above that which is writ- ten." Our salvation is wholly of God. Let that never be forgotten. None but the elect shall be finally saved. "No man can come unto Christ except the Father draw him." (John vi. 44.) But our ruin, if we are lost, will be wholly of ourselves. We shall reap the fruit of our own choice. We shall find that we have lost our own souls. Linked between these two principles lies truth which we must maintain firmly, and never let go. There is doubtless deep mystery about it. Oar minds are too feeble to understand it now. But we