away with indignation, as unworthy his acceptance, and fit only for the purchase of a potter's field.]
Address —
1. Those who are indifferent about Christ —
[Can it be so, that there should be any found of this description ? Alas ! they constitute the great mass, not of the heathens only, but of those who name the name of Christ. But will it be so always? Will it be so when you get into the eternal world? You can sleep now like the foolish virgins: but will you not in that day, when excluded from the mar- riage feast, cry, " Lord, Lord, open unto us?" Yes: you will then at least form a correct estimate, if you will not now : but I pray God you may learn to do it now, whilst it may be available for your good, and not wait till you shall know his value only by your loss. Better to know him now by the manifestations of his love, than to know him then by the terrors of his avenging arm.]
2. Those who desire to obtain an interest in him —
[Be ready to pay the price which your God demands. The wise merchant, when he has found this pearl of great price, will sell all to procure it. And this is what our blessed Lord himself requires at your hands. You must " forsake all, and follow him:" you must not love father or mother more than him. You must even " hate father and mother, yea, and your own life also," in comparison of him. He must have no rival in your estimation. There must be nothing which you will not do for him ; nothing which you will not sacrifice. Be not like the Rich Youth, who renounced him rather than his wealth. The greater the sacrifices you make, the more must you account them grounds only of self-congratulation, and of joy1. O beg of God the Spirit to reveal him in your hearts; and so to make his glory pass before your eyes, that you may henceforth have no wish but to enjoy his presence, and to glorify his name !]
3. Those who profess that they do already possess this inestimable treasure —
[I can have no doubt but that there are many of this description here present : and I greatly rejoice that the Lord Jesus Christ is valued amongst us in some measure as he ought to be. But I tremble to think what changes may yet be wrought even in the most hopeful amongst us. Who that had seen the piety of Demas, would have expected such an issue of it as we read of: " Demas hath forsaken us, having
> Phil. ii. 17.