by an express promise to all his people a. This privilege too, no less than the others, is the consequence of entering into the fold by the appointed doorb.]
Address —
1. Those who are wandering at a distance from the fold—
[Perhaps, like the silly sheep, you are insensible of your danger ; but the more confident you are of safety, the more certain is your ruin. If they only, who enter in by the door, are saved, what can you expect ? O consider, that the loss of bodily life, is not to be compared with the doom that awaits you ; nor do you know how soon that doom may be inflicted upon you. Blessed be God, however, the door is yet open to all who come, and the Saviour's declaration is yet sounding in your ears c — He is even now desirous to bring you home on nis shoulders rejoicing d. Stay not then till the door be for ever closed upon you. Let the caution given by our Lord stir you up to improve the present moment e — ]
2. Those who are desirous of returning to God —
[It has been already shewn, that they only are saved who enter in at the door. Now our proud hearts are extremely averse to be saved in this way. We would rather come into the fold by some less humiliating means. But our self-right- eous attempts will be of no avail. We must come unto God by Christ, or not at all: salvation never was, nor can be, obtained through any other name than hisf. Seek then, and that with earnestness, to enter in at the strait gateg, and then you shall have that promise fulfilled to you h — ]
3. Those who are dwelling in the fold of God —
[What debtors are ye to the grace which brought you to the knowledge of Christ ! and what inestimable blessings are you now made to enjoy ! Yet these are only an earnest of the blessings that await you hereafter. Rich as your present pastures are, they are not to be compared with those above. Let nothing tempt you then to wander from the fold to which you are brought. Follow not those who are but " goats," or " wolves in sheep's clothing." Let it be your delight to hear your Shepherd's voice, and to follow his steps : then shall you be separated from the goats in the day of judgment1, and receive from the Chief Shepherd the portion reserved for youk.]
a Ezek. xxxiv. 14. b John vi. 35. c John vi. 37.
d Luke xv. 4 — 6. e Luke xiii. 25. ' Acts iv. 12.
s Luke xiii. 24. h Isai. xlv. 17. ' Matt, xxv. 33. k 1 Pet. v. 4.