him their all, they make him almost nothing. Do such persons honour Christ? or can they expect to be honoured by
him before the assembled universe? Even true believers
will see much cause to be ashamed, when they reflect how low their thoughts of Christ have been, and how cold their de-
voutest affections towards him Above all, the ministers
of the Gospel, even the most faithful amongst them, have rea- son to be ashamed. They know that they, who neglect Christ, neglect their all ; and that the consequences of that neglect will be inexpressibly dreadful : should not then their " eyes run down with tears day and night for the pride " and ignorance of their people ? Should they not " beseech them," yea, and entreat God for them, with floods of tears, if that by any means they might prevail on some to embrace the Saviour ? Have they not reason to tremble lest the blood of multitudes who perish should be required at their hands? Surely they, who are ready to condemn their zeal, should rather pity them, and pray for them, and encourage their activity to the utmost.]
2. For direction —
[They who are inquiring, what shall we do to be saved? have here the shortest and plainest direction that can be given them : if they remember that " Christ is all," and heartily endeavour to make him their all, they can never perish. Their danger arises not less from their aversion to exalt the Saviour, than it does from the love of worldly and carnal lusts ; yea, it is far easier to mortify any vicious habit whatever, than to bring the soul to an unfeigned acquiescence in Christ as our all: we are always wanting to retain some ground of self- preference, and self-complacency : but, if ever we be saved by him, we must lie in his hands as new-born infants, and be contented to be "washed, justified, and sanctified by him"
alone u The drooping and doubting Christian may also
find in these words the very direction which he most of all stands in need of. Doubts and fears arise, either from a defec- tive view of Christ's all-sufficiency, or from an apprehension of our own want of meetness to participate his benefits : we wish to see ourselves purified in some measure, in order that we may be warranted to lay hold on the promises : whereas the Scripture teaches us, first to lay hold on the promises as sinners, that "by them we may" become saints, and "cleanse ourselves from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit x." We mean not to encourage sin of any kind; God forbid : but we must go to Christ as having nothing in ourselves, that in him we may have all.]
» 1 Cor. vi. 11. x 2 Cor. vii. 1.