And now, sinners, what have you to object? I see you are all silent, and well you may. For if you will not be drawn by the cords of infinite and everlasting love, what will draw you? I could urge many terrors of the LORD to persuade you; but if the love of JESUS CHRIST will not constrain you, your case is desperate. Remember then this day I have invited all, even the worst of sinners, to be married to the LORD JESUS. If you perish, remember you do not perish for lack of invitation. You yourselves shall stand forth at the last day, and I here give you a summons to meet me at the judgment seat of CHRIST, and to clear both my master and me. Would weeping, would tears prevail on you, I could wish my head were waters, and my eyes fountains of tears, that I might weep out every argument, and melt you into love. Would any thing I could do or suffer, influence your hearts, I think I could bear to pluck out my eyes, or even to lay down my life for your sakes. Or was I sure to prevail on you by importunity, I could continue my discourse till midnight, I would wrestle with you even till the morning watch, as _Jacob_ did with the angel, and would not go away till I had overcome. But such power belongeth only unto the LORD, I can only invite; it is He only can work in you both to will and to do after his good pleasure; it is his property to take away the heart of stone, and give you a heart of flesh; it is his spirit that must convince you of unbelief, and of the everlasting righteousness of his dear Son; it is He alone must give faith to apply his righteousness to your hearts; it is He alone can give you a wedding garment, and bring you to sit down and drink new wine in his kingdom. As to spirituals we are quite dead, and have no more power to turn to GOD of ourselves, than _Lazarus_ had to raise himself, after he had lain stinking in the grave four days. If thou canst go, O man, and breathe upon all the dry bones that lye in the graves, and bid them live; if thou canst take thy mantle and divide yonder river, as _Elijah_ did the river _Jordan_; then will we believe thou hast a power to turn to GOD of thyself: But as thou must despair of the one, so thou must despair of the other, without CHRIST’s quickening grace; in him is thy only help; fly to him then by faith; say unto him, as the poor leper did, “LORD, if thou wilt,” thou canst make me willing; and he will stretch forth the right-hand of his power to assist and relieve you: He will sweetly guide you by his wisdom on earth, and afterwards take you up to partake of his glory in heaven.
To his mercy therefore, and Almighty protection, do I earnestly, humbly, and most affectionately commit you: the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD lift up the light of his blessed countenance upon you, and give you all peace and joy in believing, now and for evermore!