such a Gospel is but too often commended to us at this day. Examine, tlien, what ye hear; and bring it all to the test of (jod's blessed word. The salvation which we offer you, is that which Christ purchased for us on the cross ; a salvation alt;)- getlier by (/race and through faith in Christ. It is that, and that only, that we call on you to buy. And our counsel is that wliich is given to every one of you by our Lord himself: " I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich ; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear ; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see'." Ascertain, I say, that this is the very truth of God ; and then hesitate not to buy it, though at the price of all that you possess.]
2. Inquire whether any who have bought it ever
repented of their purchase —
[I know, indeed, that you may find stony-ground hearers in every place where the Gospel is preached ; yea, and many a Demas too. But the former are persons who never had the root of grace within them ; and the latter carry back with them into the world a self-condemning conscience, tiiat will embitter their whole lives. Could you ask of Moses, whether he now regrets, or ever did regret, the having sacrificed all the treasures of Egypt for that apparently worthless portion, the reproach of Christ ; or, could you consult the myriads who " came out of great tribulation," and who " loved not their lives unto death;" would you find one amongst them all that thought he had ever paid too dear for this heavenly prize ? No : there is no such thought in heaven ; nor is there any such feeling upon earth amongst the faithful followers of the Lamb. Be not ye afraid, then, to pay the price demanded of you : for, as " the gain of the whole world would be a poor matter in exchange for the soul ;" so the sacrifice of life itself will be found to have been unworthy of a thought, when the glory purchased by it shall have been accorded to you.]
3. Lose not the opportunity that is now afforded you—
[What would millions that are now in the eternal world give, if they could have but one more offer of that salvation which they once despised ? And soon you yourselves also w ill be filled with bitter regret, if you close not with the offer now
made to you Say not that you are poor, and cannot
pay the price: for you are invited "to bia/ it zvithout money and loithout price^." O that I might but prevail upon you, ere it be too late! Refuse not, with Herod, to give up your
' Rev. iii. 18. ^ Jsai. Iv. 1.