my mediatorial capacity is all power committed to me, that I may raise you also to a participation of my own glory : and all that I require of you is, to look unto me: O sinners, turn not a deaf ear to my entreaties ; but let me save you with an ever- lasting salvation.'
Are there now any so obdurate as to disregard his voice ? Say, beloved, is salvation so slight a matter that ye are indif- ferent whether ye ever obtain it or not ? Or are the terms, on which it is offered, so grievous, that ye cannot bring your minds to submit to them? What easier terms can God him- self propose than those, "Look and be saved?" O delay no longer, but say with the prophet, " I will look unto the Lord ; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me'."]
2. Those who, through a sense of their unwor- thiness, dare not accept the salvation offered them —
[Persons, who are deeply convinced of their guilt and misery, are apt to think themselves too unworthy to be the objects of divine mercy ; and to exclude themselves from the number of those who are invited : ' Can it be true,' say they, ' that Jesus speaks to me : and that I have only to look unto him in order to ensure my everlasting salvation ? Surely this invitation cannot be for such a wretch as I am : gladly would I accept it, if I dared ; but I shall be only as a dog snatching at "the children's bread.'" But, Beloved, why should any of you exclude yourselves ? Does not Jesus address himself to sinners of every description, even to " all the ends of the earth ? " And did you ever hear of one whom he rejected ? If none ever applied to him in vain for the healing of their bodies, shall any look to him in vain for the saving of their souls ? When he gave this invitation, was he not aware how unworthy you were ? Did he not know the extent and efficacy of his own atonement ? Did he not consider whether there was any thing in your case that was too hard for him to sur- mount ; or did he issue this invitation only to mock and disappoint you ? Let it be granted, you have some reason to doubt his power or his willingness to save you : yet, at least, put him to the trial, and see whether he will fulfil his word or not. Of this you are sure, that, if he cannot save, no one else can ; and that, if he will not, you will, at least, lose nothing by accepting his invitation. But you need not fear ; he is God ; and " his mercy as far exceeds your sins, as the heavens are higher than the earth." Put away then your desponding thoughts, and " encourage yourselves in the Lord your God." Thus shall you be numbered with his redeemed ; and spend eternity in singing, " Salvation to God and to the Lamb."]
1 Mic. vii. 7.