330 NONE EXCLUDED FROM HOPE. [SEEM. XIX.. 'cepted of God, for the sake of his death andobedience ? And art thou not heartily desirous togive him all the ho- nour of thy salvation ? Thou hast not much power against sin, but dost thou not hate it with immortal ha- tred, and esteem it thy constant enemy ? Does it not often cause thee to mourn before the Lord, because of thy captive state, and the working of in-dwelling iniqui- ties ? Perhaps thou dost not yet feel thyself to be mani- festly saved from sin, but art thou not saved from the love ofsin ? It dwells in thy flesh, it may be, and raises tumults there, but not in thy desire and thy delight. Canst thou not say with the apostle, Rom. vii. 23, 24. There is a law in my members warring against the law of nay mind? But it is a daily torment to me, Owretched man that I am ! who shall deliver me? Thou dost not love God, it may be, according to thy wish and desire; but is there any thing which thou vainest more than God and his love ? Art thou not truly willing to love him above all things, to be renewed and sanctified in all the powers of thy nature, to be fitted for the business of heaven, and suited to the blessedness? If thy heart can echo to this sort of language, and the grace of God has prevailed thus far in thee, then thy sal- vation is begun; the gospel has strewn its divine power upon thee, and thou art indeed to be numbered among the believers. Answer III. But I would conclude my discourse with a word that may have equal respect to saints or sinners. Ifyou are concerned sincerelyabout your eternal welfare, but can see no comfortable evidences in yourselves of the work of faith, or the beginnings of salvation, if all with- in you appear to be guilt and sin, and there is much of hell and darkness in the soul, yet do not cast away all hope : Arise and come to Jesus the Saviour, behold he calleth you. This is the season of the grace of the gos- pel, This is the accepted time, this is the day ofsalvation. Make haste now to the city of refuge, tly now to the hope that is set before you. The promises are held open to thee, O soul ! whoso- ever thou art, even the promises of light and life, of grace and eternal glory. Christ Jesus invites thee by the messengers of his gospel: If there be some darkness upon thy Spirit, do not spend all thy time in laborious and r
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=