a thought, in comparison of the salvation of the soulc
Nor is there any human being who needs not this inquiry. All are sinners ; and, as sinners, condemned : all therefore have reason to dread the wrath of God, and to ask how they
may obtain mercy at his hands Youth, learning,
riches, do not at all supersede the necessity of this inquiry: all are liable to be summoned, at any moment, into the presence of their God, who is no respecter of persons, but will judge
every man according to his works They who have
embraced the salvation offered by him in the Gospel, will be saved by him : they who have slighted and neglected it, what- ever be their rank or condition in life, will perish.]
2. The manner in which it was made —
[Here we see an earnestness suited to the object inquired after, and a determination of heart to follow any directions which these servants of God should give him. He did not, like Pilate, ask with indifference, " What is truth (!?" and then go away without waiting for an answer : nor did he, like the Jews at Rome, ask in a mere speculative or inquisitive man- ner, "We desire to hear of thee what thou thinkeste." It was with him a personal concern ; a matter of the greatest im- portance. He had no disposition to cavil or dispute ; but an ardent desire to know how he might obtain mercy at the hands of his offended God. They needed only to point out to him the way of life, and he was ready without hesitation to use the means prescribed, how difficult soever the task might be, or whatever sacrifices he might be called to make in the pursuit of this great object ]
And now let us see what was, II. The answer given him —
Behold,
1. Its simplicity — [Men, by cavils and disputes, have thrown obscurity over the plainest of all truths. To the proud and self-sufficient, the faith of the Gospel is made a stumbling-block: but to the humble and contrite, the light of the meridian sun is not more clear. Here are no conditions imposed, no limitations fixed. It is not said, " If you will do so many good works, Jesus Christ will accept you :" but simply, " Believe in him :" believe that he has died to save sinners; believe, that by the blood of his cross he has made reconciliation for you with God, and that he will save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him." Think not to purchase the Divine favour by any thing of
c Matt. vi. 31—33. The soul ! Heaven! Hell! Eternity! what weighty considerations.
d John xviii. 38. * Acts xxviii. 22.