^ As to this matter of election, I would to God that some who
1 J. E. Rolterts.
264 CHRIST'S DOCTRINE OF ELECTION
object to it had as much common sense in this matter as they have in the daily actions of ordinary life. I ask for no higher degree of common sense. Let me assume that a purse has been lost in the street adjoining our place of meeting; the purse contains a thousand guineas ; whoever finds that purse may keep it. "Ha!" we say, "well, only one can find it; therefore what is the good of a thousand seeking it ? Only one can have it ; and if I am elected to be the man, ic will come in my way." I never heard people reasoning so with regard to an affair of that kind. Though only one may have it, ten thousand will strive for it if they know the conditions. There is a prize to be given in the school. It is one prize ; there are five hundred scholars in the school. The boys say, " Well, only one of us can get it, why should G.ve hundred of us be toiling and fagging for it ? " Another boy says, " I know if I am to have the prize, I will get it ; so I shall read no books, and make no preparation." You would not allow a boy to reason so. Yet there are men who say this, "If we are called to heaven, we'll get to heaven; if we are elected to be saved, we need not make any effort about it." Thou wicked and slothful servant; out of thine own mouth I condemn thee ; the whole action of thy evil life shall be thy answer on the day of judgment, and thou shalt be condemned to an ignominious silence because of a self-accusing conscience.^
^ I am thankful to believe that my final salvation does not depend wholly on myself. If it did, it would be at stake to the very last ! Salvation involves so much. It includes deliverance from sin, development of character, fitness to dwell with God. Man's faith is often such a frail thing. It were a poor refuge, if there were no Divine purpose to support it. It becomes a sure defence if God says, " 1 pledge that man's deliverance." Here is a man battling with a rough sea. A belt is flung to him. What hope of deliverance can he have by clinging to a few pounds of cork ? This hope, that there are fifty strong arms pulling him through the surf to the shore. Do not push the simile too far. The Christian life is not simply clinging to a belt ; it is a daily conflict with temptation. But it is gloriously true that faith in Christ transfers the responsibility of salvation to the Saviour, and makes deliverance certain. Though I grasp the hand of Christ I might lose it in a moment of doubt or weakness, or when my feet enter the chill waters of the river of death. Thanks be unto God for the assurance that if I clasp the hand of Christ He grips mine, and none can pluck me out of that strong clasp. It is my sheet anchor amidst the storms of life and the floods of death.^
I J. Parker. » J. E. Roberts.
ST. JOHN VI. z7 265
Because I seek Thee not, oh seek Thou me !
Because my lips are dumb, oh hear the cry
I do not utter as Thou passest by. And from my Hfe-long bondage set me free !
Because content I perish, far from Thee,
Oh seize me, snatch me from my fate, and try My soul in Thy consuming fire ! Draw nigh
And let me, blinded. Thy salvation see.
If I were pouring at Thy feet my tears, If I were clamouring to see Thy face,
I should not need Thee, Lord, as now I need, VVIiose dumb, dead soul knows neither hopes nor fears, Nor dreads the outer darkness of this place — Because I seek not, pray not, give Thou heed ! ^
II.
Man's Part. "Him that cometh to me."
1. " Coming " is the only way of salvation. If there could have been any other way, this one would never have been opened. It is not conceivable that God would have given His only-begotten and well-beloved Son to die upon the cross of Calvary in order to save sinners if there had been any other way of saving them that would have been as consistent with the principles of infallible justice. If men could have entered into everlasting life without passing along the path stained and consecrated by the blood of Jesus, surely that blood would never have been " shed for many for the remission of sins." The very fact that this new and living way has been opened proves that there is no other, for God would never have provided it unless it had been absolutely necessary.
2. But what is "coming"? The people He was addressing had followed Him for miles, and had found Him and were speak- ing to Him, but they had not " come " to Him. To come to Him is to approach Him in spirit, and with submissive trust ; it is to commit ourselves to Him as our Lord ; it is to rest in Him as our