Mr. R.--God wants no man to "try." Jesus has already tried. He has not only tried, but He has succeeded. "It is finished." Believe in Him who has "made an end of sins, making reconciliation for iniquity, finishing transgression, and bringing in everlasting righteousness."
Mr. M.--If people say they are "going to try," what would you say to them?
Mr. R.--I should say, Put _trusting_ in the place of trying; _believing_ in the place of doubting; and I should urge them to come to Christ as they are, instead of waiting to be better. There is nothing now between God the Father and the poor sinner, but the Lord Jesus Christ; and Christ has put away sin that I may be joined to the Lord. "And he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit;" "And where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."
Mr. M.--About the last thing an anxious inquirer has to contend with is his feelings. There are hundreds here very anxious to know they are safe in the Kingdom; but they think they have not the right kind of feeling. What kind of feeling should they have?
Mr. R.--I think there are several of those present who can say that they found a blessing in the after-meetings through one verse of Scripture. I will quote it as an answer to Mr. Moody's question. "Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of His servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God." Some of you may be walking in darkness; that is how you feel. What is God's command? "Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God." If I am to trust God in the darkness, I am to trust Him anywhere.
Mr. M.--You would advise them, then, to trust in the Lord, whether they have the right kind of feeling or not?
Mr. R.--If I were to think of my feelings for a moment, I should be one of the most miserable men in this hall to-night. My feelings are those of a sinful corrupt nature. I am just to believe what God tells me in spite of my feelings. Faith is "the evidence of things not seen:" I might add, "the evidence of things not felt."
Mr. M.--Some may say that faith is the gift of God: and that they must wait till God imparts it to them.
Mr. R.--"Faith cometh by hearing." The word of God is the medium through which faith comes to us. God has given us Christ; and He has given us His Spirit, and His Word: what need is there to wait? God will give faith to the man who reads His Word and seeks for His Spirit.
Mr. M.--What, then, should they wait for?
Mr. R.--I do not know of anything they have to wait for. God says: "Come now; Believe now." No, no; there is nothing to wait for. He has given us all He has to give: and the sooner we take it the better.
Mr. M.--Perhaps some of them think they have too many sins to allow their coming.
Mr. R.--The Lord Jesus has put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us." Why do we not believe him? He says He has "made an end of sins." Why do we not believe Him? Is He a liar?
Mr. M.--Is unbelief a sin?
Mr. R.--It is the root of all sin.
Mr. M.--Has a man the power to believe these things, if he will?
Mr. R.--When God gives a command, it means that we are able by His grace to do it.
Mr. M.--What do you mean by "coming" to Christ?
Mr. R.--Believing in Him. If I were to prepare a great feast in this hall to-morrow night, and say that any man that comes to it would have a grand feast and a five-pound note besides, there would not be any question as to what "coming" meant. God has prepared a great feast. He has sent His messengers to invite all to come; and there is nothing to pay.
Mr. M.--What is the first step.
Mr. R.--To believe.
Mr. M.--Believe what?
Mr. R.--God's invitation; God's promise; God's provision. Let us believe the faithfulness of Him who calls us. Does God intend to mock us, and make game of us? If He did so to one man, it would hush all the harps in heaven.
Mr. M.--Suppose the people do "come," and that they fall into sin tomorrow?
Mr. R.--Let them come back again. God says we are to forgive till seventy times seven. Do you think the great God will do less than He commands us to do?
Mr. M.--If they truly come, will they have the desire to do the things they used to do before?
Mr. R.--When a man really receives Christ into his heart, he experiences "the expulsive power of a new affection." The devil may tempt him to sin; but sin has lost its attraction. A man finds out that it does not pay to grieve God's Holy Spirit.
Mr. M.--What would you advise your converts to do?