Here also we see, II. The rule by which they shall be judged —
" The word that Christ spoke, the same shall judge," both those who heard, and us who read it. We shall be judged by,
1. Its declarations —
[Nothing can be plainer than his declarations respecting the necessity of a new and heavenly birth h, or the necessity of
faith in him ' Now, in the last day these will appear
against us : we cannot plead ignorance : the terms, in which these requirements were made known, were clear, peremptory, decisive ; and if we have not obeyed them, we must take the bitter consequences of our neglect ]
2. Its invitations —
[These have been as free as our hearts could wish. Do we need to obtain rest in Christ? he says, " Come unto me, and I will give it youk." Do we need a new nature ? he bids us to " take from him the water of life freely1." Have we any apprehension that he will not vouchsafe to us these bless- ings on account of our own unworthiness? be bids us receive them at his hands, " without money and without price"1." Now these also will appear against us in judgment. And what excuse can we offer for not accepting them ? Verily, we must confess, in that day, that " our ruin was of ourselves alone11;" and that we perished only because " we would not come to Christ for life0."]
3. Its promises —
[How "exceeding great and precious" are these ! They are enlarged to the full extent of our necessities. What can we desire more than this, " Whosoever cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast him outp?" Here is no exception, either of character or condition. Whoever the person be, " the blood of Jesus Christ will cleanse him from all sinq:" yea, "though his sins have been red as crimson, they shall be made white as snowr." And what shall we say, when these appear in array against us on account of the contempt we poured upon them ? Verily, our mouths will be shut, and not so much as a word of excuse can ever be offered by us.]
4. Its threatenings —
•> John iii. 3. ' John iii. la, 36. k Matt. xi. 28.
1 Rev. xxii. 17- m Isai. lv. 1. " Hos. xiii. 9.
' John v. 10. p John vi. 37. <* 1 John i. 7. r Isai. i. 18.