2. Those who have been more exemplary in their
lives —
Do not imagine that you are able to save yourselves : if you have not been such profligate sinners as others, still you are " sinners," and must be saved by Jesus Christ, or not at all. You are but too apt to overlook all that Christ has done and suffered for you, under an idea that your moral and reli- gious duties will conciliate the Divine favour : and hence it too often happens, that, while " publicans and harlots enter into his kingdom, persons of your description exclude them- selves from it. But know, that " there is salvation in no other :" Christ is, and must be, your only refuge, and your only hopeh.]
3. Those who have already received it into their hearts —
[Doubtless this report has already been a source of joy and consolation to you. But you cannot even conceive how rich a source of blessings it will be, if only you continue to reflect upon it. In it are contained " all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge1:" it has a height, and depth, and length, and breadth, that no finite being can comprehend \ and that through eternal ages will afford incessant and increasing cause for wonder and adoration. Let this report then be your meditation day and night, and while we, as God's ambassadors, endeavour to propagate it with our lips, do you endeavour to recommend and confirm it by your lives.]
h Acts iv. 12. * Col. ii. 3. k Eph. iii. 18, 19.