These are obstacles which we all feel in a greater or less degree ; and which must be removed, before Christ can enter freely into our hearts.]
That a view of these things may not discourage us, let us consider,
II. How they are to be removed —
As there were some peculiar obstacles in the apo- stolic age, so were there also peculiar circumstances calculated to remove them —
[The general expectation of the Messiah, which prevailed about the time of his coming, certainly tended to prepare his way. The preaching of John the Baptist, who with holy firm- ness laid his axe to the root of Pharisaic pride and hypocrisy, awakened a great and general attention to religion a, insomuch that many doubted whether he were not the Messiah himself. The ministry of Christ also produced a general sensation through the Jewish land : the holiness of his life, the wisdom and authority of his words, and the number and beneficence of his miracles, wrought conviction upon the minds of thousands, and drove his enemies to the necessity of putting him to death, or of leaving him in the uncontrolled possession of universal influence. The ministry of the Apostles, confirmed as it was by the descent of the Holy Ghost, by the gift of tongues, and by miracles unnumbered, had yet greater effect : it bore down all opposition, and triumphed over the united powers of earth and hell. The universal extension of the Roman empire contributed also not a little to the facilitating of the establishment of the Redeemer's kingdom ; since it gave to the Apostles an easy communication both with Jews and Gentiles throughout the world, in almost every part of which the Jewish Scriptures had already prepared their way.]
But it is of more practical importance to shew how our difficulties are to be removed —
[As these are the same in every age, so the means of removing them are such as are open to the use of all. We need notice only two ; and these are, repentance and faith. Repentance is the great leveller of all obstructions: it " humbles the loftiness of man," and " brings into captivity every thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of Christ." Wherever real penitence exists, it brings the soul into the dust before God. No longer is the Gospel deemed unnecessary or severe : the penitent sees, that without it he must inevitably perish. Whether he have been more or less moral, he is equally
h Matt. iii. 5, 6.