JESUS CHRIST came down to save us, not only from the guilt, but also from the power of sin: and however often we have repeated our creed, and told GOD we believe in the Holy Ghost, yet, if we have not believed in him, so as to be really united to JESUS CHRIST by him, we have no more concord with JESUS CHRIST than _Belial_ himself.
And now, my brethren, what shall I say more? tell me, are not many of you offended at what has been said already? do not some of you think, though I mean well, yet I have carried the point a little too far? are not others ready to cry out, if this be true, who then can be saved? is not this driving people into despair?
Yes, I ingenuously confess it is; but into what despair? a despair of mercy through CHRIST? no, GOD forbid; but a despair of living with GOD without receiving the Holy Ghost. And I would to GOD, that not only all you that hear me this day, but that the whole world was filled with this despair. Believe me, I have been doing no more than you allow your bodily physicians to do every day: if you have a wound, and are in earnest about a cure, you bid the surgeon probe it to the very bottom; and shall not the physician of your souls be allowed the same freedom? What have I been doing but searching your natural wounds, that I might convince you of your danger, and put you upon applying to JESUS CHRIST for a remedy? Indeed I have dealt with you as gently as I could; and now I have wounded, I will attempt to heal you. For I was in the
_Last_ place, to exhort you all to come to JESUS CHRIST by faith, whereby you, even you also, shall receive the Holy Ghost. “For this spake he of the Spirit, which they that _believe_ on him should receive.”
This, this is what I long to come to. Hitherto I have been preaching only the law; but behold I bring you glad tidings of great joy. If I have wounded you, be not afraid; behold, I now bring a remedy for all your wounds. Notwithstanding you are sunk into the nature of the beast and devil, yet, if you truly believe on JESUS CHRIST, you shall receive the quickening Spirit promised in the text, and be restored to the glorious liberties of the sons of GOD; I say, if you believe on JESUS CHRIST. “For by faith we are saved; it is not of works, lest any one should boast.” And, however some men may say, there is a fitness required in the creature, and that we must have a righteousness of our own, before we can lay hold on the righteousness of CHRIST; yet, if we believe the scripture, salvation is the free gift of GOD, in CHRIST JESUS our LORD; and whosoever believeth on him with his whole heart, though his soul be as black as hell itself, shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Behold then, I stand up, and cry out in this great day of the feast, let every one that thirsteth come unto JESUS CHRIST and drink. “He that believeth on him, out of his belly shall flow (not only streams or rivulets, but whole) rivers of living water.” This I speak of the Spirit, which they that believe on JESUS shall certainly receive. For JESUS CHRIST is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever; he is the way, the truth, the resurrection, and the life; “whosoever believeth on him, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” There is no respect of persons with JESUS CHRIST; high and low, rich and poor, one with another, may come to him with an humble confidence, if they draw near by faith; from him we may all receive grace upon grace; for JESUS CHRIST is full of grace and truth, and ready to save to the uttermost, all that by a true faith turn unto him. Indeed, the poor generally receive the gospel, and “GOD has chosen the poor in this world, rich in faith.” But though not many mighty, not many noble are called; and though it be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of GOD, yet, even to you that are rich, do I now freely offer salvation, by JESUS CHRIST, if you will renounce yourselves, and come to JESUS CHRIST as poor sinners; I say, as poor sinners; for the “poor in spirit” are only so blessed, as to have a right to the kingdom of GOD. And JESUS CHRIST calls none to him, but those who thirst after his righteousness, and feel themselves weary, and heavy laden with the burden of their sins. JESUS CHRIST justifies the ungodly; he came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.