Lord Jesus should do ; whereas we declare to you what he has done ]
And what is the effect of our ministrations ?
[Do we see every one pressing into this kingdom ? I had almost asked, Where we do see any one pressing into it as he ought? Alas! the word which we preach, "comes," to the generality, " in word only, and not in power :" with many it is regarded only as " a cunningly-devised fable :" with many who approve of it, it has no practical effect : they are pleased with it only " as with the melody of one who plays well upon an instrument k :" and, of those who feel somewhat of its power, how few jiress into the kingdom with that earnestness which becomes them ! Look and see around ; are there any " flock- ing unto the Lord, as doves to their windows1?" Where do we find people "pressing," as it were, through all the obstacles which the world, the flesh, and the devil, can lay in their way, and " counting all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus their Lord™?" Let the state of our auditors in general be viewed, and there is reason to weep over them with floods of tears. And let even the more approved amongst us be brought to the test of Scripture experience, and of by far the greater number we must " stand in doubt, whether Christ be indeed as yet truly formed in them11."]
Address —
1. Those who are but little influenced by what they hear —
[Ah! how many of you are of this description ! And are you content that it shall be always thus ? Will you still hold fast the delusion that you shall win the race without running, and gain the victory without fighting ? If success be not the portion of those who so demean themselves in relation to earthly things, how can you imagine it will in reference to heavenly things ? Will it be no matter of regret to you in a dying hour, that you have been so supine and careless ? or, if Satan be permitted to blind you then, will it be no grief to you when you shall open your eyes in the eternal world ? O awake from your stupor : and " to-day, whilst it is called to-day, harden not your hearts, lest God should swear, in his wrath, that you shall never enter into his rest0."]
2. Those who feel some desire to enter into the
kingdom —
[I thank God, if there be in any of you a good desire. But did you never hear what our blessed Lord has said, that
k Ezek. xxxiii. 31, 32. J Isai. lx. 8. m Phil. iii. 8.
n Gal. iv. 19, 20. ° Heb. iii. 7—11.