Infer —
1. How necessary is it to deal faithfully with the souls of men !
[Should we " prophesy smooth things " unto people who are perishing in their sins, and who before another Sabbath may be "gone to the dead?" Should we, if we beheld a stranded vessel, seek to amuse the sailors, instead of afforchng them direction and assistance ? How much less then if we ourselves were embarked with them, and were partners of their danger? Surely then every time we preach, we should bear in mind that both our hearers and ourselves are dying
g Luke XV. 17. ^ Job xx. 5 — 9.
i 1 Cor. vi. 9. Ps. ix. 17. "^2 Cor. xi. 15.
creatures, and that, if we forbear to warn them, we ruin our- selves for ever '.]
2. How earnestly should every one seek to be born again !
[Does the notion of regeneration appear absurd™? Let all hear and understand the grounds of that doctrine. What must we think of God, if he should fill heaven with sinners incorrigibly wicked, and incurably mad ? Or what happiness could such sinners find in heaven, even if they were admitted there? There must be a meetness for the heavenly state": and that meetness can be obtained only by means of the new birth °. A new heart must be given us'', and we must be made "new creatures in Christ Jesus*'." Let all then seek this renewal of their hearts'": for, unless they be born again, they shall never enter into God's kingdom ^]
3, How greatly are all regenerate persons indebted to the Lord Jesus Christ !
[They were once even as others : if there was any differ- ence, it was only in their acts, and not in their hearts^. But they are delivered from their sins", endued with soundness of mind^, and made heirs of everlasting lifey; and all this they have received through the atoning blood and prevailing inter- cession of the Lord Jesus. What a Benefactor then is he ! And how should the hearts of all be knit to him in love ! O "let them give thanks whom the Lord hath redeemed^:" and let all seek these blessings at the hands of a gracious and almighty Saviour.]
1 Ezek. xxxiii. 8. "> John iii. 7, 9. " Col. i. 12.
o John iii. 5, 6. p Ezek.xxxvi. 25, 26. i 2 Cor. v. 17.
r Eph. iv. 22 — 24. « John iii. 3. ^ Eph. ii. 3.
u Rom. vi. 14. and viii. 2. ^ 2 Tim. i. 7. >' John v. 24.
^ Ps. cvii. 1, 2.