truth as it is in Jesus." They set forth the claims of their God and Saviour to their allegiance, and the evil and danger of continuing in rebellion against him. They declare, that if they will submit themselves to the Lord Jesus Christ, he will forgive all their past sins, and bring tiiem into the glorious
liberty of the children of God This they do, to lead
the poor captives to cast off the yoke of Satan, and serve the living God ]
But their only hope of success is in God alone — [They know how vain it would be for them to engage in this warfare, if God himself do not interpose to give them the victory. They know, that though " Paul should plant, and Apollos water, God alone can give the increase." Nor are they sure that he will work by them : much less do they know for whose particular benefit they may be sent. They can only " draw their bow at a venture," and leave it to God to direct the shaft. A mere " peradventure," however, is quite sufficient to stimulate their exertions. If they be but the happy instrument of delivering one soul from Satan's yoke, they will account it an ample recompence for a whole life of labour. With their ministrations to men, therefore, they unite their supplications to God; if peradventure he may " give to any a repentance to the acknowledging of the truth." Only let the gifts of repentance and faith be given to any soul, there will be an end of Satan's power over them. Their chains and bars shall all give way before them : and, like Peter, they will come forth out of their prisons, as monu- ments of the Redeemer's power, and as witnesses for him to an ungodly world ]
Let me offer two requests :
L Acknowledge your state to be as God has de- scribed it —
[It is so, whether ye will acknowledge it or not
And, O submit no longer to such a degrading vassalage. Awake from your intoxication, and contemplate the issue of
your present bondage And may God of his mercy
overcome the resistance which you have hitherto made to our ministrations, and turn you, even by our feeble efforts, " from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God^!"]
2. Unite your own efforts with ours, for your deUverance —
[There must be a concurrence on your part for your ultimate deliverance. We cannot effect it : and God will not,
8 Acts xxvi. 18.