Forgiveness

byJ.C.Ryle

TableofContents

Introduction

I.OurNeedofForgiveness

II.TheWayofForgiveness

III.EncouragetoAllWhoWishtoBeForgiven

IV.MarksofHavingFoundForgiveness

V.AreYouForgiven?

VI.ASolemnWarning

VII.AnEarnestInvitation

VIII.AWordofExhortation

Introduction

There is a clause near the end of the Apostle's Creed, which, I fear, isoften repeated without thought or consideration. I refer to the clausewhich contains these words, "I believe in the Forgiveness of sins."Thousands,Iamafraid,neverreflectwhatthosewordsmean.Iproposeto examine the subject of them in the followingpaper, and I invite theattention of all who care for their souls, and want to be saved. Do webelieveinthe"Resurrectionofourbodies"?Thenletusseetoitthatweknowsomethingbyexperienceofthe"Forgivenessofoursins."

I. Let me show, first of all, our need offorgiveness.

Allpeopleneedforgiveness,becauseallpeoplearesinners.Hethatdoesnot know this, knows nothing in religion. It is the very A B C's ofChristianity,thatamanshouldknowhisrightplaceinthesightofGod,andunderstandhisdeserts.

We areallgreat sinners. "There is none righteous, no, not one." "Allhave sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Rom. 3:10, 23.)Sinnerswewereborn,andsinnerswehavebeenallourlives.Wetaketosin naturally from the very first. No child ever needs schooling andeducationtoteachittodowrong.Nodevil,orbadcompanion,everleadsus into such wickedness as our own hearts. And "the wages of sin isdeath."(Rom.6:23.)Wemusteitherbeforgiven,orlosteternally.

Weareallguiltysinners inthesightofGod.WehavebrokenHisholylaw. We have transgressed His precepts. We have not done His will.Thereisnotacommandmentinallthetenwhichdoesnotcondemnus.Ifwehavenotbrokenitindeedwehaveinword;ifwehavenotbrokenitinword,wehave in thought and imagination—and that continually. TriedbythestandardofthefifthchapterofMatthew,thereisnotoneofusthatwould be acquitted. All the world is "guilty before God." And "as it isappointed unto people once to die, and after this comes thejudgment." We must either be forgiven, or perisheverlastingly.(Rom.3:19;Heb.9:27.)

WhenIwalkthroughthecrowdedstreetsofLondon,IseehundredsandthousandsofwhomIknownothingbeyondtheiroutwardappearance.Iseesomebentonpleasure,andsomeonbusiness—somewholookrich,andsomewholookpoor—somerollingintheircarriages,somehurryingalongon foot.Eachhashisownobject in view.Eachhashisownaimsandends,allalikehiddenfromme.ButonethingIknowforacertainty,asIlookuponthem—theyareallsinners.Thereisnotasoulamongthemallbut"deservesGod'swrathandcondemnation."Therebreathesnotthemanorwomaninthatcrowdbutmustdieforgiven,orelseriseagaintobecondemnedforeveratthelastday.

WhenIlookthroughthelengthandbreadthofGreatBritainImustmakethe same report. From the Queen on the throne to the pauper in theworkhouse—weareallsinners.WeEnglishmenhavegotanameamong

the empires of the earth. We send our ships into every sea, and ourmerchandiseintoeverytownintheworld.WehavebridgedtheAtlanticwith our steamers.Wehavemadenight in our cities likeday,with gaslighting.WehavechangedEnglandintoonegreatcountybyrailways.WecanexchangethoughtbetweenLondonandEdinburghinafewsecondsbytheelectrictelegraph.Butwithallourartsandsciences—withallourmachineryand inventions—withallourarmiesandnavies—withallourlawyersandstatesmen,wehavenotalteredthenatureofourpeople.WearestillintheeyeofGodanislandfullofsinners.

WhenIturntothemapoftheworldImustsaythesamething.Itmattersnot what quarter I examine—I find men's hearts are everywhere thesame, and everywherewicked.Sin is the family disease of all thechildren of Adam. Never has there been a corner of the earthdiscoveredwheresinandthedevildonotreign.Wideasthedifferenceisbetween thenationsof the earth, they leavealwaysbeen found tohaveone great mark in common. Europe and Asia, Africa and America,IcelandandIndia,ParisandPeking—allalikehavethemarkofsin.Theeye of the Lord looks down on this globe of ours, as it rollsround the sun, and sees it covered with corruption andwickedness! What He sees in the moon and stars, in Jupiter andSaturn,Icannot tell—butontheearthIknowHeseessin. (Psalm14:2,3.)

Ihavenodoubtsuch languageas thissoundsextravagant tosome.YouthinkIamgoingmuchtoofar.ButmarkwellwhatIamabouttosaynext,and then considerwhether Ihavenotused thewordsof soberness andtruth.

Whatthen,Iask,isthelifeofthebestChristianamongusall?Whatisitbutonegreatcareerofshortcomings?Whatisitbutadailyactingoutthewords of our Prayer-book, "leaving undone thingswe ought to do, anddoing things thatweoughtnot todo"?Our faith,how feeble!Our love,howcold!Ourworks,howfew!Ourzeal,howsmall!Ourpatience,howshort-breathed! Our humility, how thread-bare! Our self-denial, howdwarfish!Our knowledge, howdim!Our spirituality, how shallow!Ourprayers,howformal!Ourdesiresformoregrace,howfaint!Neverdidthewisestofpeoplespeakmorewiselythanwhenhesaid,"Thereisnotajust

manuponearth,thatdoesgood,andsinsnot."(Eccles.7:20.)"Inmanythings,"saystheapostleJames,"weoffendall."(James3:2.)AndwhatisthebestactionthatiseverdonebytheverybestofChristians?Whatisitafter all but an imperfectwork,when tried on its ownmerits? It is, asLuther says, no better than "a splendid sin." It is always more or lessdefective.Itiseitherwronginitsmotiveorincompleteinitsperformance—notdonefromperfectprinciples,ornotexecutedinaperfectway.Theeyesofpeoplemayseenofaultinit—butweighedinthebalancesofGodit would be found lacking, and viewed in the light of heaven it wouldprove fullof flaws. It is like thedropofwaterwhichseemsclear to thenaked eye—but, placed under amicroscope, is discovered to be full ofimpurity.David'saccountisliterallytrue,"Thereisnonewhodoesgood,no,notone."(Psalm14:3.)

And thenwhat is the Lord God, whose eyes are on all our ways, andbeforewhomwehaveonedaytogiveaccount?"Holy,holy,holy,"istheremarkableexpressionappliedtoHimbythosewhoarenearesttoHim.(Isaiah 6:3; Rev. 4:8.) It sounds as if no one word could express theintensityofHisholiness.OneofHisprophetssays,"Heisofpurereyesthantobeholdevil,andcannotlookoniniquity."(Habak.1:13.)Wethinkthe angels exalted beings, and far above ourselves; but we are told inScripture,"HechargedHisangelswithfolly."(Job4:18.)Weadmirethemoon and stars as glorious and splendid bodies; but we read, "Beholdeven the stars are not pure in His sight." (Job 25:5.) We talk of theheavensasthenoblestandpurestpartofcreation;butevenofthemitiswritten,"TheheavensarenotcleaninHissight."(Job15:15.)WhatthenisanyoneofusbutamiserablesinnerinthesightofsuchaGodasthis?

Surely we ought all to cease from proud thoughts about ourselves.Weought to layourhandsuponourmouths,andsaywithAbraham,"Iamdustandashes;"andwithJob,"Iamvile;"andwithIsaiah,"Weareallasan unclean thing;" and with John, "If we say that we have no sin wedeceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (Gen. 18:27; Job 40:4;Isaiah 64:6; 1 John 1:8.) Where is the man or woman in the wholecatalogueoftheBookofLife,thatwilleverbeabletosaymorethanthis,"I obtainedmercy"?What is the glorious company of the apostles, thegoodly fellowshipof theprophets, thenoblearmyofmartyrs—whatare

theyall butpardoned sinners?Surely there isbutone conclusion tobearrived at—We are all great sinners, and we all need a greatforgiveness.

See now what just cause I have to say that to know our need offorgivenessisthefirstthingintruereligion.Sinisaburden,andmustbetakenoff.Sinisadefilement,andmustbecleansedaway.Sinisamightydebt, and must be paid. Sin is a mountain standing between us andheaven, andmust be removed.Happy is thatmother's child among usthat feels all this!Thefirststep towardsheaven is toseeclearlythat we deserve hell. There are but two alternatives before us—wemusteitherbeforgiven,orbemiserableforever.

SeetoohowlittlemanypeopleknowofthemaindesignofChristianity,thoughtheyliveinaChristianland.Theyfancytheyaretogotochurchtolearntheirduty,andbemoral.Theyforgetthattheheathenphilosopherscould have told them asmuch as this. They forget that such people asPlato and Seneca gave instructions which ought to put to shame thechurch-goingliar,thedrunkard,andthethief.TheyhaveyettolearnthattheleadingmarkofChristianityistheremedyitprovidesforsin.Thisisthe glory and excellence of theGospel. Itmeetsman as he really is. Ittakes him as it finds him. It goes down to the level to which sin hasbroughthim,andofferstoraisehimup.Ittellshimofaremedyequaltohis disease—a great remedy for a great disease—a great forgiveness forgreatsinners.

I ask every reader to consider these thingswell, if he never consideredthem before. It is no light matter whether you know your soul'snecessitiesornot—itisamatteroflifeanddeath.Try,Ibeseechyou,tobecomeacquaintedwithyourownheart.SitdownandthinkquietlywhatyouareinthesightofGod.Bringtogetherthethoughts,andwords,andactionsofanydayinyourlife,andmeasurethembythemeasureofGod'sWord. Judge yourself honestly, that youmay not be condemned at thelast day.Oh, that youmight find outwhat you really are!Oh, that youmight learn to pray Job's prayer, "Makeme to knowmy transgressionandmy sin." (Job 13:23.)Oh, that youmight see this great truth—thatuntilyouareforgiven,allyourchurch-goinghasdonenothingforyouatall!

II.Letmepointout,inthesecondplace—thewayofforgiveness.

Iaskparticularattentiontothispoint,fornonecanbemoreimportant.Grantingforamomentthatyouwantpardonandforgiveness,whatoughtyou to do? Where will you go? Which way will you turn? Everythinghingesontheansweryougivetothisquestion.

Willyouturntoministersandputyourtrustinthem?Theycannotgiveyoupardon—theycanonlytellyouwhereit istobefound.Theycansetbeforeyouthebreadoflife;butyouyourselfmusteatit.Theycanshowyouthepathofpeace;butyouyourselfmustwalkinit.TheJewishpriesthadnopowertocleansetheleper—butonlytodeclarehimcleansed.TheChristianministerhasnopowertoforgivesins—hecanonlydeclareandpronouncewhotheyarethatareforgiven.

Will you turn to sacraments and ordinances, and trust in them? Theycannot supply you with forgiveness, however diligently you may usethem.Bysacraments"faithisconfirmedandgraceincreased,"inallwhorightlyusethem.(SeeArticle27.)Buttheycannotjustifythesinner.Theycannot put away transgression. You may go to the Lord's table everySundayinyourlife—butunlessyoulookfarbeyondthesigntothethingsignified,youwillafteralldieinyoursins.Youmayattendadailyserviceregularly—butifyouthinktoestablisharighteousnessofyourownbyit,intheslightestdegree,youareonlygettingfurtherawayfromGodeveryday.

Willyoutrust inyourownworksandendeavors,yourvirtuesandyourgooddeeds,yourprayersandyouralms?Theywillneverbuyforyouanentranceintoheaven.TheywillneverpayyourdebttoGod.Theyareallimperfectinthemselves,andonlyincreaseyourguilt.Thereisnomeritorworthinessinthemattheverybest.TheLordJesusChristsaysexpressly,"When you have done all those thingswhich are commanded you, say,Weareunprofitableservants."(Luke17:10.)

Will you trust in your own repentance and amendment?You are very

sorryforthepast.Youhopetodobetterfortimetocome.YouhopeGodwillbemerciful.Alas,ifyouleanonthis,youhavenothingbeneathyoubut a broken reed! The judge does not pardon the thief because he issorry for what he did. Today's sorrow will not wipe off the score ofyesterday's sins. It is not an ocean of tears that could ever cleanse anuneasyconscienceandgiveitpeace.

Wherethenmustamangoforpardon?Whereisforgivenesstobefound?There is awayboth sureandplain, and into thatway Idesire toguideeveryinquirer'sfeet.

ThatwayissimplytotrustintheLordJesusChristasyourSavior.Itistocast your soul, with all its sins, unreservedly on Christ—to ceasecompletelyfromanydependenceonyourownworksordoings,eitherinwholeorinpart—andtorestonnootherworkbutChrist'swork,nootherrighteousness but Christ's righteousness, no other merit but Christ'smerit,asyourgroundofhope.Takethiscourseandyouareapardonedsoul."ToChrist,"saysPeter,"givealltheprophetswitness,thatthroughHisnamewhoeverbelievesinHimshallreceiveremissionofsins."(Acts10:43.)"ThroughthisMan,"saysPaulatAntioch,"ispreacheduntoyoutheforgivenessofsins,andbyHimallwhobelievearejustifiedfromallthings." (Acts 13:38.) "InHim,"writesPaul to theColossians, "wehaveredemptionthroughHisblood,eventheforgivenessofsins."(Col.1:14.)

TheLordJesusChrist,ingreatloveandcompassion,hasmadeafullandcomplete satisfaction for sin, by suffering death in our place upon thecross. There He offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, and allowed thewrathofGod,whichwedeserved,tofallonHisownhead.Foroursins,asour Substitute, He gave Himself, suffered, and died—the just for theunjust, the innocent for the guilty—that He might deliver us from thecurse of a broken law, and provide a complete pardon for all who arewilling to receive it.Andbysodoing,as Isaiahsays—Hehasborneoursins;asJohntheBaptistsays—Hehastakenawaysin;asPaulsays—Hehaspurgedoursins,andputawaysin;andasDanielsays—Hehasmadeanendofsin,andfinishedtransgression.(Isaiah53:11;John1:29;Heb.1:3;Heb.9:26;Dan.9:24)

AndnowtheLordJesusChristissealedandappointedbyGodtheFather

tobeaPrinceandaSavior,togiveremissionofsinstoallwhowillhaveit.ThekeysofdeathandhellareputinHishand.Thegovernmentofthegate of heaven is laid onHis shoulder.HeHimself is the door, and byHimallthatenterinshallbesaved.(Acts5:31;Rev.1:18;John10:9.)

Christ, in one word, has purchased a full forgiveness, if we are onlywillingtoreceiveit.Hehasdoneall,paidall,sufferedallthatwasneedfulto reconcile us toGod.He has provided a garment of righteousness toclotheus.Hehasopenedafountainoflivingwaterstocleanseus.Hehasremoved every barrier between us and God the Father, taken everyobstacleoutoftheway,andmadearoadbywhichthevilestmayreturn.Allthingsarenowready,andthesinnerhasonlytobelieveandbesaved,toeatandbesatisfied,toaskandreceive;towashandbeclean.

Andfaith,simplefaith,istheonlythingrequired,inorderthatyouandImaybeforgiven.ThatwewillcomebyfaithtoJesusassinnerswithoursins—trustinHim—restonHim—leanonHim—confideinHim—commitoursoulstoHim—andforsakingallotherhope,cleaveonlytoHim—thisis all and everything thatGod asks for. Let amanonlydo this, andheshallbesaved.Hisiniquitiesshallbefoundcompletelypardoned,andhistransgressionsentirelytakenaway.Everymanandwomanthatsotrustsiswholly forgiven, and reckoned perfectly righteous.His sins are cleangone,andhissoul is justified inGod'ssight,howeverbadandguiltyhemayhavebeen!

Faith is the only thing required,not knowledge. Amanmay be a poorunlearnedsinner,andknowlittleofbooks.Butifheseesenoughtofindthefootofthecross,andtrustinJesusforpardon,Iwillengage,fromtheauthorityof theBible, thathe shallnotmissheaven.ToknowChrist isthecorner-stoneofallsavingknowledge.

Faith, I say, andnot conversion. Amanmay have beenwalking in thebroadway up to the very hour he first hears theGospel. But if in thathearingheisawakenedtofeelhisdanger,andwantstobesaved,lethimcome to Christ at once, and wait for nothing. That very coming is thebeginningofconversion.

Faith, I repeat, and not holiness. A man may feel all full of sin, and

unworthy to be saved. But let himnot tarry outside the ark until he isbetter.LethimcometoChristwithoutdelay,justasheis.Afterwardsheshallbeholy.

Icalluponeveryreaderofthesepagestoletnothingmovehimfromthisstrong ground—that faith in Christ is the only thing needed for ourjustification.Standfirmhere, ifyouvalueyoursoul'speace.Iseemanywalking in darkness and having no light, from confused notions as towhat faith is.Theyhear thatsaving faithwillworkby loveandproduceholiness, andnot findingall this atonce in themselves, they think theyhaveno faithatall.They forget that these thingsare the fruitsof faith,andnotfaithitself,andthattodoubtwhetherwehavefaith,becausewedonotseethematonce,islikedoubtingwhetheratreeisalive,becauseitdoesnotbearfruittheverydayweplantitintheground.Ichargeyoutosettle it firmly inyourmind, that in thematterofyour forgivenessandjustification there isbutone thing required, and that is, simple faith inChrist.

Iknowwellthatthenaturalheartdislikesthisdoctrine.Itrunscountertoman'snotionsofreligion.Itleaveshimnoroomtoboast.Man'sideaistocometoChristwithapriceinhishand—hisregularity—hismorality,hisrepentance—his goodness—and so, as it were, to buy his pardon andjustification. The Spirit's teaching is quite different—it is first of all, tobelieve.Whoeverbelievesshallnotperish.(John3:16)

Some say such doctrine cannot be right, because it makes the way toheaventooeasy.Ifearthatmanysuchpeople, ifthetruthwerespoken,findittoohard.Ibelieveinrealityitiseasiertogiveafortuneinbuildinga cathedral, or to go to the stake and be burned, than thoroughly toreceive"justificationbyfaithwithoutthedeedsofthelaw,"andtoenterheavenasasinnersavedbygrace.

Somesay thisdoctrine is foolishnessandenthusiasm. I answer,This isjustwhatwassaidofit1800yearsago,anditisavaincavilnow,asitwasthen.Sofar fromthechargebeingtrue,athousandfactscanprovethisdoctrinetobefromGod.Nodoctrinecertainlyhasproducedsuchmightyeffects in the world, as the simple proclamation of free forgivenessthrough faith in Christ. This is the glorious doctrine which was the

strengthoftheApostleswhentheywentforthtotheGentilestopreachanewreligion.Theybegan,a fewpoorfishermen, inadespisedcorneroftheearth.Theyturnedtheworldupsidedown.Theychangedthefaceofthe Roman empire. They emptied the heathen temples of theirworshipers, andmade thewhole systemof idolatry crumble away.Andwhat was the weapon by which they did it all? It was free forgivenessthroughfaithinJesusChrist.

ThisisthedoctrinewhichbroughtlightintoEurope300yearsago,atthetimeoftheblessedReformation,andenabledonesolitarymonk,MartinLuther,toshakethewholeChurchofRome.Throughhispreachingandwritingthescalesfellfrommen'seyes,andthechainsoftheirsoulswereloosed. And what was the lever that gave him his power? It was freeforgivenessthroughfaithinJesusChrist.

This isthedoctrinewhichrevivedourownChurchinthemiddleof lastcentury, when Whitefield, and the Wesleys, and Berridge, and Vennbrokeupthewretched"spiritofslumber"whichhadcomeovertheland,and roused people to think. They began a mighty work, with littleseeming likelihood of success. They began, few in number, with smallencouragement from the rich and great.But theyprospered.Andwhy?BecausetheypreachedfreeforgivenessthroughfaithinChrist.

ThisisthedoctrinewhichisthetruestrengthofanyChurchonearthatthisday.Itisnoteducation,orendowments,orliturgies,orlearning,thatwillkeepaChurchalive.LetfreeforgivenessthroughChristbefaithfullyproclaimedinherpulpits,andthegatesofhellshallnotprevailagainsther.Letitbeburied,orkeptback,andhercandlestickwillsoonbetakenaway. When the Saracens invaded the lands where Jerome, andAthanasius,andCyprian,andAugustineoncewroteandpreached, theyfoundbishopsandliturgies,Imakenoquestion.ButIfeartheyfoundnopreachingof freeforgivenessofsins,andsotheyswepttheChurchesofthose landscleanaway.Theywereabodywithoutavitalprinciple,andthereforetheyfell.LetusneverforgetthebrightestdaysofaChurcharethosewhen"Christcrucified"ismostexalted.Thedensandcavesoftheearth,where theearlyChristiansmet tohearof the loveofJesus,weremore full of glory and beauty in God's sight than ever was Peter's atRome. The basest barn at this day, where the true way of pardon is

offered to sinners, is a farmore honorable place than the Cathedral ofCologne or Milan. A Church is only useful so far as she exalts freeforgivenessthroughChrist.

Thisisthedoctrinewhich,ofallothers,isthemightiestengineforpullingdownthekingdomofSatan.TheGreenlanderswereunmovedsolongastheMoravians told themof the creation and the fall ofman; butwhenthey heard of redeeming love, their frozen hearts melted like snow inspring. Preach salvation by the sacraments, exalt the Church aboveChrist,andkeepbackthedoctrineoftheAtonement,andthedevilcareslittle—hisgoodsareatpeace.ButpreachafullChrist,andafreepardonby faith inHim,and thenSatanwillhavegreatwrath, forheknowshehasbutashorttime.JohnBerridgesaidhewentonpreachingmoralityandnothingelse,untilhefoundtherewasnotamoralmaninhisparish.Butwhenhechangedhisplan,andbegantopreachtheloveofChristtosinners,andafreesalvationbyfaith,thentherewasastirringofthedrybones,andamightyturningtoGod.

This is the only doctrine which will ever bring peace to an uneasyconscience, and rest to a troubled soul. Amanmay get on pretty wellwithout itso longasheisasleepabouthisspiritualcondition.Butoncelethimawakefromhisslumber,andnothingwillevercalmhimbutthebloodofAtonement,andthepeacewhichcomesbyfaithinChrist.Howanyonecanundertaketobeaministerofreligionwithoutafirmgraspofthisdoctrine,Inevercanunderstand.Formyself,Icanonlysay,Ishouldthink my office a most painful one if I had not the message of freeforgivenesstoconvey.Itwouldbemiserableworkindeedtovisitthesickanddying, if I couldnot say, "Behold theLambofGod—believeon theLordJesusChrist,andyoushallbesaved."TherighthandofaChristianministeristhedoctrineoffreeforgivenessthroughfaithinChrist.Giveusthisdoctrine,andwehavepower—wewillneverdespairofdoinggoodtomen'ssouls.Takeawaythisdoctrine,andweareweakaswater.Wemayread the prayers and go through a round of forms—but we are likeSamson with his hair shorn—our strength is gone. Souls will not bebenefittedbyus,andgoodwillnotbedone.

IcommendthethingsIhavebeensayingtothenoticeofeveryreader.Iamnot ashamedof freepardon through faith inChrist,whatever some

maysayagainstthedoctrine.Iamnotashamedofit,foritsfruitsspeakfor themselves. Ithasdone things thatnootherdoctrine cando. Ithaseffectedmoralchangeswhichlawsandpunishmentshavefailedtowork—which magistrates and policemen have labored after in vain—whicheducation and secular knowledge have proved utterly powerless toproduce. Just as the fiercest lunatics in the asylum became suddenlygentlewhenkindlytreated,evensotheworstandmosthardenedsinnershaveoftenbecomeaslittlechildren,whentoldofJesuslovingthemandwilling to forgive. I canwell understand Paul ending his Epistle to theerring Galatians with that solemn burst of feeling, "God forbid that Ishouldglory,butinthecrossofourLordJesusChrist."(Gal.6:14.)Thecrown has indeed fallen from a Christian's head when he leaves thedoctrineofjustificationbyfaith.

YoushouldaskyourselfwhetheryouhavereallyreceivedthetruthwhichIhavebeendwellingon,andknow itbyexperience.Jesus,and faith inHim,istheonlywaytotheFather.HewhothinkstoclimbintoParadiseby some other road, will find himself fearfully mistaken. OtherfoundationcannomanlayforanimmortalsoulthanthatofwhichIhavebeenfeeblyspeaking.Hewhoventureshimselfhereissafe.Hewhoisoffthisrockhasgotnostandinggroundatall.

Youshouldseriouslyconsiderwhatkindofaministryyouareinthehabitofattending,supposingyouhaveachoice.Youhavereasonindeedtobecareful. It is not all the samewhere you go, whatever peoplemay say.Therearemanyplacesofworship,Ifear,whereyoumightlooklongforChrist crucified, and never find Him. He is buried under outwardceremonies—thrust behind the baptismal font—lost sight of under theshadowoftheChurch."TheyhavetakenawaymyLord,andIknownotwhere they have laid Him." (John 20:13.) Take heed where you settleyourself. Try all by this single test, "Is Jesus and free forgivenessproclaimedhere?"Theremaybe comfortablepews—theremaybe goodsinging—theremaybelearnedsermons.ButifChrist'sGospelisnotthesunandcenterofthewholeplace,donotpitchyourtentthere.SayratherwithIsaac."Here,isthewoodandthefire—butwhereisthelamb?"(Gen.22:7.)Beverysurethisisnottheplaceforyoursoul.

III.Letme,inthethirdplace,encourageallwhowishtobeforgiven.

Idarebesurethispaperwillbereadbysomeonewhofeelsheisnotyetaforgivensoul.Myheart'sdesireandprayeristhatsuchaonemayseekhispardonatonce.AndIwouldgladlyhelphimforward,byshowinghimthekindofforgivenessofferedtohim,andthegloriousprivilegeswithinhisreach.

Listen tome, then,while I try to exhibit to you the treasuresofGospelforgiveness.IcannotdescribeitsfullnessasIought.Itsrichesareindeedunsearchable.(Eph.3:8.)Butifyouwillturnawayfromit,youshallnotbeabletosayinthedayofjudgment,youdidnotatallknowwhatitwas.

Consider, then, for one thing, that the forgiveness set before you isa GREAT and BROAD forgiveness. Hear what the Prince of PeaceHimselfdeclares,"Allsinsshallbeforgivenuntothesonsofmen,andallblasphemies." (Mark 3:28.) "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shallbecomewhiteassnow—thoughtheyberedlikecrimson,theyshallbeaswool."(Isaiah1:18.)Yes—thoughyourtrespassesbemoreinnumberthanthehairsof yourhead, the stars inheaven, the leavesof the forest, thebladesofgrass,thegrainsofsandontheseashore—stilltheycanallbepardoned!AsthewatersofNoah'sfloodcoveredoverandhidthetopsofthe highest hills, so can the blood of Jesus cover over and hide yourmightiestsins."Hisbloodcleansesfromallsin."(1John1:7.)Thoughtoyoutheyseemwrittenwiththepointofadiamond,theycanallbeeffacedfromthebookofGod'sremembrancebythatpreciousblood.Paulnamesa long list of abominations which the Corinthians had committed, andthensays,"Suchweresomeofyou—butyouarewashed."(1Cor.6:11.)

Furthermore, it isaFULLandCOMPLETE forgiveness. It is not likeDavid'spardontoAbsalom,apermissiontoreturnhome—butnotafullrestoration to favor. (2 Sam. 14:24.) It is not, as some fancy, a merelettingoff,andlettingalone.Itisapardonsocompletethathewhohasitisreckonedasrighteousasifhehadneversinnedatall!Hisiniquitiesareblottedout.Theyareremovedfromhimasfarastheeastfromthewest.(Psalm103:12.)Thereremainsnocondemnationforhim.TheFathersees

him joined toChrist, and iswellpleased.TheSonbeholdshimclothedwithHisownrighteousness,andsays,"Youareallfair,thereisnospotinyou."(Cant.4:7.)BlessedbeGodthatitisso!Iverilybelieveifthebestofusallhadonlyoneblotleftforhimselftowipeout,hewouldmisseternallife. If theholiest childofAdamwere inheavenallbuthis little finger,and toget independedonhimself, I amsurehewouldneverenter thekingdom. IfNoah,Daniel, andJob,hadhadbutoneday's sins towashaway, they would never have been saved. Praised be God, that in thematterofourpardonthereisnothingleftformantodo!Jesusdoesall,andmanhasonlytoholdoutanemptyhandandtoreceive.

Furthermore, it is aFREEandUNCONDITIONAL forgiveness. It isnotburdenedwithan"if,"likeSolomon'spardontoAdonijah,"Ifhewillshowhimselfaworthyman." (1Kings 1:52.)Noryetareyouobliged tocarryaprice inyourhand,or tobringanuprightcharacterwithyou toproveyourselfdeservingofmercy.Jesusrequiresbutonecharacter,andthatisthatyoushouldfeelyourselfasinful,badman.Heinvitesyouto"buy wine and milk without money and without price," and declares,"Whoever will, let him take the water of life freely." (Isaiah 55:1; Rev22:17.)LikeDavidinthecaveofAdullam,Hereceiveseveryonethatfeelsin distress and a debtor, and rejects none. (1 Sam. 22:2.) Are you asinner?DoyouneedaSavior?ThencometoJesus justasyouare,andyoursoulshalllive.

Again,itisanOFFEREDforgiveness.IhavereadofearthlyKingswhoknewnothowtoshowmercy.TheKingofkingsisnotlikethem.Hecallsonpeople to come toHim,andbepardoned. "Untoyou,Omen, I call,and my voice is to the sons of men." (Prov. 8:4.) "Ho! everyone whothirsts, come to the waters." (Isaiah 55:1.) "If anyman thirsts, let himcomeuntoMeanddrink."(John7:37.)"ComeuntoMe,allyouwholaborandareheavyladen,andIwillgiveyourest."(Matt.11:28.)Itoughttobeagreatcomfort toyouandme tohearofanypardonatall;but tohearJesusHimself invitingus, toseeJesusHimselfholdingoutHishandtous—theSaviorseekingthesinnerbeforethesinnerseekstheSavior—thisisencouragement,thisisstrongconsolationindeed!

Again,itisaWILLINGforgiveness.Ihaveheardofpardonsgrantedinreplytolongentreaty,andwrungoutbymuchimportunity.KingEdward

the Third of England would not spare the citizens of Calais until theycame to him with halters round their necks, and his own Queeninterceded for them on her knees. But Jesus is "good and ready toforgive."(Psalm86:5.)He"delightsinmercy."(Micah7:18.)Judgmentis"Hisstrangework."Heisnotwillingthatanyshouldperish.(Isai.28:21,2 Pet. 3:9.) He would gladly have all men saved, and come to theknowledgeofthetruth.(1Tim.2:4.)HeweptoverunbelievingJerusalem."AsIlive,"Hesays,"Ihavenopleasureinthedeathofthewicked.Turn!Turnfromyourevilways;whywillyoudie?"(Ezek.33:11.)YouandImaywell come boldly to the throne of grace.Hewho sits there is farmorewillingandreadytogivemercythanwearetoreceiveit.(Heb.4:16.)

Besidesthis,itisaTRIEDforgiveness.Thousandsandtensofthousandshavesoughtforpardonatthemercy-seatofChrist,andnotonehaseverreturnedtosaythathesoughtinvain.Sinnersofeverynameandnation—sinnersofeverysortanddescription—haveknockedatthedoorofthefold, and none have ever been refused admission. Zaccheus theextortioner,Magdalentheharlot,Saulthepersecutor,Peterthedenierofhis Lord, the Jews who crucified the Prince of Life, the idolatrousAthenians, the adulterous Corinthians, the ignorant Africans, thebloodthirsty New Zealanders, all have ventured their souls on Christ'spromisesofpardon—andnonehaveever found them to fail. If thewaywhich the Gospel sets before us were a new and untraveled way—wemightwellfeelfaint-hearted.Butitisnotso.Itisanoldpath.Itisapathwornbythefeetofmanypilgrims,andapathinwhichthefootstepsarealloneway.ThetreasuryofChrist'smercieshasneverbeenfoundempty.Thewelloflivingwatershasneverproveddry.

Besidesthis,itisaPRESENTforgiveness.Allwhobelieve inJesusareatonce justified fromall things. (Acts13:39.)Theveryday theyoungersonreturnedtohisfather'shousehewasclothedwiththebestrobe,hadtheringputonhishand,andtheshoesonhis feet. (Luke15.)TheverydayZaccheusreceivedJesusheheardthosecomfortablewords,"Thisdayis salvation come to this house." (Luke 19:9.) The very day that Davidsaid,"IhavesinnedagainsttheLord,"hewastoldbyNathan,"TheLordalsohasputawayyoursin."(2Sam.12:13.)TheverydayyoufirstfleetoChrist,yoursinsareallremoved.Yourpardonisnotathingfaraway,to

beobtainedonlyaftermanyyears. It isnearathand. It isclose toyou,within your reach, all ready to be bestowed. Believe, and that verymomentitisyourown."Hewhobelievesisnotcondemned."(John3:18.)It isnot said, "Heshallnotbe,"or "willnotbe,"but "isnot."Fromthetime of his believing, condemnation is gone. "He who believes haseverlasting life." (John 3:36.) It is not said, "He shall have," or "willhave,"itis"has."Itishisownassurelyasifhewasinheaven,thoughnotso evidently so tohis owneyes.Youmustnot think forgivenesswill benearertoabelieverinthedayofjudgmentthanitwasinthehourhefirstbelieved. His complete salvation from the power of sin is every yearnearerandnearertohim;butastohisforgivenessandjustification,anddeliverance from the guilt of sin, it is a finished work from the veryminutehefirstcommitshimselftoChrist.

Last,andbestofall, it isanEVERLASTING forgiveness. It isnot likeShimei's pardon—a pardon that may some time be revoked and takenaway.(1Kings2:9.)Oncejustified,youarejustifiedforever.Oncewrittendowninthebookoflife,yournameshallneverbeblottedout.ThesinsofGod'schildrenaresaidtobecastintothedepthsofthesea—tobesoughtforandnotfound—toberememberednomore—tobecastbehindGod'sback.(Mic.7:19;Jer.50:20;31:34;Isa.38:17.)Some people fancy they may be justified one year and condemnedanother—children of adoption at one time, and strangers by and by—heirsof thekingdomin thebeginningof theirdays,andyetservantsofthe devil in their end. I cannot find this in the Bible—as the NewZealandertoldtheRomishpriest,"IdonotseeitintheBook."ItseemstometooverturnthegoodnewsoftheGospelaltogether,andtotearupitscomfortsbytheroots.IbelievethesalvationJesusoffersisaneverlastingsalvation, and a pardon once sealed with His blood shall never bereversed.

Ihavesetbeforeyouthenatureoftheforgivenessofferedtoyou.Ihavetoldyoubutalittleofit,formywordsareweakerthanmywill.Thehalfof it remainsuntold. The greatness of it is farmore than any report ofmine.ButIthinkIhavesaidenoughtoshowyouitisworththeseeking,and I canwish you nothing better than that youmay strive tomake ityourown.

Do you call it nothing to look forward to death without fear, and tojudgmentwithoutdoubtings,andtoeternitywithoutasinkingheart?Doyoucallitnothingtofeeltheworldslippingfromyourgrasp,andtoseethe grave getting ready for you, and the valley of the shadow of deathopeningbeforeyoureyes,andyettobenotafraid?Doyoucallitnothingtobeabletothinkofthegreatdayofaccount,thethrone,thebooks,theJudge,theassembledworlds,therevealingofsecrets,thefinalsentence,andyettofeel,"Iamsafe"?Thisistheportion,andthistheprivilegeofaforgivensoul.

Suchanoneisonarock.WhentherainofGod'swrathdescends,andthe floods come, and the winds blow, his feet shall not slide, hishabitationshallbesure.

Suchanoneisinanark.Whenthelastfierydelugeissweepingoverallthingsonthesurfaceoftheearth,itshallnotcomenearhim.Heshallbecaughtup,andbornesecurelyaboveitall.

Suchanoneisinahidingplace.WhenGodarisestojudge,andpeoplearecallingtorocksandmountainstofalluponthemandcoverthem,theEverlastingArmsshallbe thrownaroundhim,andthestormshallpassoverhishead.Heshall"abideundertheshadowoftheAlmighty."(Psalm91:1.)

Suchanoneis inacityofrefuge.Theaccuserofthebrethrencanlayno charge against him. The law cannot condemn him. There is a wallbetweenhimand the avenger of blood.The enemiesofhis soul cannothurthim.Heisinasecuresanctuary.

Suchanoneisrich.Hehastreasureinheavenwhichcannotbeaffectedbyworldlychanges,comparedtowhichPeruandCaliforniaarenothingat all. He need not envy the richest merchants and bankers. He has aportion that will endure when bank-notes and dollars are worthlessthings. He can say, like the Spanish ambassador, when shown thetreasuryatVenice,"MyMaster'streasuryhasnobottom."HehasChrist.

Such an one is insured.He is ready for anything that may happen.Nothing can harm him. Banks may break, and Governments may be

overturned.Famine andpestilencemay rage aroundhim. Sickness andsorrowmayvisithisownfireside.Butstillhe isready forall—ready forhealth—ready for disease—ready for tears—ready for joy—ready forpoverty—readyforplenty—readyforlife,readyfordeath.HehasChrist.He is a pardoned soul. "Blessed" indeed "is he whose transgression isforgiven,andwhosesiniscovered."(Ps.32:1.)

Howwillanyoneescapeifheneglectssogreatsalvation?Whyshouldyounotlayholdonitatonce,andsay,Pardonme,evenmealso,OmySavior!Whatwould youhave, if theway Ihave set before youdoesnot satisfyyou?Comewhilethedoorisopen.Ask,andyoushallreceive.

IV. Let me, in the last place, supply thereaders of this paper with some marks ofhavingfoundforgiveness.

I dare not leave out this point. Too many people presume they areforgiven, who have no evidence to show. Not a few cannot think itpossibletheyareforgiven,whoareplainlyinthewaytoheaven,thoughtheymaynot see it themselves. Iwouldgladly raisehope in some, andself-inquiryinothers;andtodothis,letmesetdowninordertheleadingmarksofaforgivensoul.

(a) Forgiven soulsHATE SIN. They can enter most fully into thewordsofourCommunionService, "Theremembranceof sin isgrievousuntothem,andtheburdenofitisintolerable."Itistheserpentwhichbitthem—howshould theynot shrink from itwithhorror? It is thepoisonwhichbrought themtothebrinkofeternaldeath—howshouldtheynotloatheitwithagodlydisgust?ItistheEgyptianenemywhichkepttheminhardbondage—howshouldnottheverymemoryofitbebittertotheirhearts? It is thediseaseofwhich they carry themarks and scars aboutthem,andfromwhichtheyhavescarcelyrecovered—wellmaytheydreadit, flee from it, and long to be delivered altogether from its power!RememberhowthewomaninSimon'shouseweptoverthefeetofJesus.(Luke7:38.)RememberhowtheEphesianspubliclyburnedtheirwickedbooks. (Acts 19:19.) Remember how Paul mourned over his youthful

transgressions,"IamnotfittobecalledanApostle,becauseIpersecutedtheChurchofGod."(1Cor.15:9.)Ifyouandsinarefriends,youandGodarenot yet reconciled. You arenot fit for heaven; for onemainpart ofheaven'sexcellenceistheabsenceofallsin.

(b)Forgiven soulsLOVECHRIST.This is that one thing they cansay, if they dare say nothing else—they do loveChrist.His person,Hisoffices, His work, His name, His cross, His blood, His words, Hisexample, His ordinances—all, all are precious to forgiven souls. TheministrywhichexaltsHimmost,isthatwhichtheyenjoymost.ThebookswhicharemostfullofHim,aremostpleasanttotheirminds.Thepeopleonearththeyfeelmostdrawnto,arethoseinwhomtheyseesomethingof Christ. His name is as ointment poured forth, and comes with apeculiar sweetness to their ears. (Cant. 1:3.) They would tell you theycannot help feeling as they do. He is their Redeemer, their Shepherd,theirPhysician, theirKing, their strongDeliverer, their graciousGuide,theirhope, their joy, theirAll.Were itnot forHimtheywouldbeofallpeoplemostmiserable.Theywouldassoonconsentthatyoushouldtakethesunoutof thesky,asChristoutof theirreligion.Thosepeoplewhotalkof"theLord,"and"theAlmighty,"and"theDeity,"andsoforth—buthavenotawordtosayaboutChrist,are inanythingbutarightstateofmind.WhatsaystheScripture?"HewhohonorsnottheSon,honorsnotthe Fatherwho has sentHim." (John 5:23.) "If anyman loves not theLordJesusChrist,lethimbeanathema."(1Cor.16:22.)

(c)ForgivensoulsareHUMBLE.Theycannot forget that theyowealltheyhaveandhopefortofreegrace,andthiskeepsthemlowly.Theyare brands plucked from the fire—debtors who could not pay forthemselves—captiveswhomusthaveremainedinprisonforever—butforundeservedmercy—wanderingsheepwhowerereadytoperishwhentheShepherdfoundthem!Whatrightthenhavetheytobeproud?Idonotdenythatthereareproudsaints.ButthisIdosay—theyareofallGod'screaturesthemostinconsistent,andofallGod'schildrenthemostlikelytostumbleandpiercethemselveswithmanysorrows.ForgivenessmoreoftenproducesthespiritofJacob,"Iamnotworthyoftheleastofallthemercies, and all the truth which You have showed unto Your servant"(Gen. 32:10); and of Hezekiah, "I shall go softly all my years" (Isaiah

38:15); andof theApostlePaul, "I am less than the leastof all saints—chiefofsinners."(Eph.3:8;1Tim.1:15.)Wehavenothingwecancallourown--butsinandweakness.Surelythereisnogarmentthatbefitsussowell,ashumility.

(d)ForgivensoulsareHOLY.TheirchiefdesireistopleaseHimwhohassavedthem,todoHiswill,toglorifyHiminbodyandinSpirit,whichare His. "What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits?" (Ps.116:12), is a leading principle in a pardoned heart. It was theremembrance of Jesus showing mercy that made Paul in labors soabundant,andindoinggoodsounwearied.ItwasasenseofpardonthatmadeZaccheussay,"ThehalfofmygoodsIgivetothepoor,andifIhavetakenanythingfromanymanfalsely,Iwillrestorehimfour-fold."(Luke19:8.) Ifanyonepointsout tomebelieverswhoare inacarnal, slothfulstateofsoul,IreplyinthewordsofPeter,"Theyhaveforgottentheywerepurged from their old sins." (2 Pet. 1:9.) But if you show me a mandeliberatelylivinganunholyandlicentiouslife,andyetboastingthathissinsare forgiven, I answer, "He isundera ruinousdelusion,and isnotforgivenatall."Iwouldnotbelieveheisforgivenifanangelfromheavenaffirmed it, and I chargeyounot tobelieve it too.Pardonofsinandloveofsinare likeoilandwater—theywillnevergo together.AllwhoarewashedinthebloodofChrist,arealsosanctifiedbytheSpiritofChrist.

(e)ForgivensoulsareFORGIVING.Theydoastheyhavebeendoneby.Theylookovertheoffencesoftheirbrethren.Theyendeavorto"walkin love, as Christ loved them, and gave Himself for them." (Eph. 5:2.)TheyrememberhowGodforChrist'ssakeforgavethem,andendeavortodo the same towards their fellow-creatures. Has He forgiven thempounds,andshall theynot forgivea fewpence?Doubtless in this,as ineverythingelse,theycomeshort—butthisistheirdesireandtheiraim.Aspiteful, quarrelsomeChristian is a scandal to his profession. It is veryhardtobelievethatsuchaonehaseversatatthefootofthecross,andhaseverconsideredhowheisprayingagainsthimselfeverytimeheusestheLord'sPrayer.Ishenotsayingasitwere,"Father,donotforgivememytrespassesatall"?Butitisstillhardertounderstandwhatsuchaonewould do in heaven, if he got there. All ideas of heaven in which

forgiveness has not a place, are castles in the air and vain fancies.Forgiveness is the way by which every saved soul enters heaven.Forgivenessistheonlytitlebywhichheremainsinheaven.Forgivenessistheeternalsubjectofsongwithalltheredeemedwhoinhabitheaven.Surelyanunforgivingsoulinheavenwouldfindhisheartcompletelyoutoftune.SurelyweknownothingofChrist'slovetousbutthenameofit,ifwedonotloveourbrethren.

Ilaythesethingsbeforeeveryreaderofthispaper.Iknowwelltherearegreat diversities in the degree ofmen's attainments in grace,and that saving faith in Christ is consistent with manyimperfections. But still I do believe the five marks I have just beennamingwillgenerallybefoundmoreorlessinallforgivensouls.

Icannotconcealfromyou,thesemarksshouldraiseinmanymindsgreatsearchingsofheart.Imustbeplain.IfeartherearethousandsofpeoplecalledChristians,whoknownothingof thesemarks.Theyarebaptized.TheyattendtheservicesoftheirChurch.Theywouldnotonanyaccountbe reckoned infidels. But as to true repentance and saving faith, unionwithChristandsanctificationoftheSpirit,theyare"namesandwords"ofwhichtheyknownothingatall.

Now if this paper is read by such people, it will probably either alarmthem,ormakethemveryangry.IfitmakesthemangryIshallbesorry.Ifit alarms themI shallbeglad. Iwant toalarm them. Iwant toawakenthemfromtheirpresentstate.Iwantthemtotakeinthegreatfact,thattheyarenotyetforgiven,thattheyhavenotpeacewithGod—andareonthehighroadtodestruction.

I must say this, for I see no alternative. It seems neither Christianfaithfulness,norChristiancharity,tokeepitback.IseecertainmarksofpardonedsoulslaiddowninScripture.Iseeanutterlackofthesemarksin many men and women around me. How then can I avoid theconclusionthattheyarenotyet"forgiven"?AndhowshallIdotheworkofafaithfulwatchmanifIdonotwriteitdownplainlyinsomanywords?WhereistheuseofcryingPeace!Peace!whenthereisnopeace?Whereisthe honesty of acting the part of a lying physician, and telling peoplethereisnodanger,wheninrealitytheyarefastdrawingneartoeternal

death?SurelythebloodofsoulswouldberequiredatmyhandsifIwroteto you anything less than the truth. "If the trumpet gives an uncertainsound,whoshallpreparehimselftothebattle?"(1Cor.14:8.)

Examineyourself,then,beforethissubjectisforgotten.Considerofwhatsortyourreligionis.TryitbythefivemarksIhavejustsetbeforeyou.IhaveendeavoredtomakethemasbroadandgeneralasIcan,forfearofcausing any heart to be sad that God has not made sad. If you knowanythingofthem,thoughitbebutalittle,Iamthankful,andentreatyoutogoforward.Butifyouknownothingoftheminyourownexperience,letmesay,inallaffection,Istandindoubtofyou.Itrembleforyoursoul!

AreYouForgiven?

1.Andnow,beforeIconclude,letmeputaplainquestiontoeveryonewhoreadsthispaper.Itshallbeshortandclear—butit isall important,"Areyouforgiven?"

Ihave told you all I can about forgiveness.Yourneedof forgiveness—theway of forgiveness, the encouragements to seek forgiveness—themarksofhavingfoundit—allhavebeenplacedbeforeyou.Bringthewhole subject to bear upon your own heart, and ask yourself, "Am Iforgiven?EitherIam,orIamnot.Whichofthetwoisit?"

Youbelieveperhaps,thereisforgivenessofsins.YoubelievethatChristdiedforsinners,andthatHeoffersapardontothemostungodly.Butareyouforgivenyourself?HaveyouyourselflaidholdonChristbyfaith,andfound peace through His blood? What profit is there to you inforgiveness, except you get the benefit of it? What does it profit theshipwreckedsailorthatthelife-boatisalongside, ifhedoesnotjumpinandescape?Whatdoesitavailthesickmanthatthedoctoroffershimamedicine,ifheonlylooksatit,anddoesnotswallowitdown?Exceptyoulayhold for yourownsoul, youwillbeas surely lost as if therewasnoforgivenessatall.

If ever your sins are tobe forgiven, itmustbenow—now in this life, ifeverinthelifetocome—nowinthisworld,iftheyaretobefoundblotted

out when Jesus comes again the second time. There must be actualbusinessbetweenyouandChrist.YoursinsmustbelaidonHimbyfaith—His righteousnessmust be laid on you.His bloodmust be applied toyourconscience,orelseyoursinswillmeetyouinthedayof judgment,and sink you into hell. Oh, how can you triflewhen such things are atstake? How can you be content to leave it uncertain whether you areforgiven? Surely that a man can make his will, insure his life, givedirectionsabouthisfuneral,andyetleavehissoul'saffairsinuncertainty—isanamazingthingindeed.

ASolemnWarning

2.LetmenextgiveaSOLEMNWARNINGtoeveryonewhoreadsthispaper, and knows in his conscience he is not forgiven. Your soul is inawfuldanger.Youmaydie thisyear.And ifyoudieasyouare,youarelostforever!Ifyoudiewithoutpardon,withoutpardonyouwillriseagainatthelastday.Thereisaswordoveryourheadwhichhangsbyasinglehair!There isbutastepbetweenyouanddeath.Oh,Iwonderthatyoucansleepquietlyinyourbed!

Youarenotyetforgiven.Thenwhathaveyougotbyyourreligion?Yougo to church.YouhaveaBible, youhaveaPrayer-book, andperhapsaHymn-book.Youhearsermons.Youjoininservices.ItmaybeyougototheLord's table.Butwhathave you really got after all?Anyhope?Anypeace?Any joy?Anycomfort?Nothing!Literallynothing!Youhavegotnothingbutmereexternalreligion—ifyouarenotapardonedsoul.

You arenot yet forgiven. But you trust God will bemerciful. Yet whyshould He bemerciful if you will not seek Him in His own appointedway?MercifulHedoubtless is,wonderfullymerciful toallwhocome toHim in thenameof Jesus.But if you choose to despiseHis directions,andmakearoadtoheavenofyourown—youwillfindtoyourcostthereisnomercyforyou!

Youarenotyetforgiven.Butyouhopeyouwillbesomeday.Thisislikethrustingoffthehandofconscience,andseizingitbythethroattostopits voice.Whyare youmore likely to seek forgivenessat a future time?

Whyshouldyounotseekitnow?Nowisthetimeforgatheringthebreadof life. The day of theLord is fast drawingnear, and thennoman canwork.(Exod.16:26.)TheSeventhtrumpetwillsoonsound.Thekingdomsof this world will soon become the kingdoms of our Lord and of HisChrist.(Rev.11:15.)Woetothehousewhichisfoundwithoutthescarletline, andwithout themark of blood upon the door! (Josh. 2:18; Exod.12:13.)

Well, youmay not feel your need of forgiveness now. But a timemaycomewhenyouwillwantit.TheLordinmercygrantthatitmaynotthenbetoolate.

VII.AnEarnestInvitation

3.Letmenextgiveanearnest invitation to allwho read thispaperanddesireforgiveness.Iknownotwhoyouare,orwhatyouhavebeenintimepast.ButIsayboldly,CometoChristbyfaith,andyoushallhaveapardon.Highor low, richorpoor, youngmenandmaidens,oldpeopleand children—you cannot be worse than Manasseh and Paul beforeconversion—thanDavid and Peter after conversion—come all of you toChrist,andyoushallbefreelyforgiven!

DonotthinkforamomentthatyouhavesomegreatthingtodobeforeyoucometoChrist.Suchanotionisoftheearth,earthy;theGospelbidsyoucome justasyouare.Man's idea is tomakehispeacewithGodbyrepentance,andthencometoChristatlast.TheGospelwayistoreceivepeacefromChristfirstofall,andbeginwithHim.Man'sideaistoamend,andturnoveranew leaf—andsoworkhiswayuptoreconciliationandfriendship with God. The Gospel way is first to be friends with GodthroughChrist,andthentowork.Man'sideaistotoilupthehill,andfindlifeatthetop.TheGospelwayisfirsttolivebyfaithinChrist,andthentodoHiswill.

Andjudgeyou,everyone,judgeyou,whichistrueChristianity?Whichisthegoodnews?Whichisthegladtidings?FirstthefruitsoftheSpiritandthenpeacewithGod?OrfirstpeacewithGodandthenthefruitsoftheSpirit? First sanctification and then pardon? Or first pardon and then

sanctification?Firstserviceandthen life?Or first lifeandthenservice?Yourownheartscanwellsupplytheanswer.

Comethen,willingtoreceive,andnotthinkinghowmuchyoucanbring.Come,willing to takewhatChrist offers, andnot fancyingyou cangiveanythinginreturn.Comewithyoursins,andnootherqualificationbutahearty desire for pardon, and, as sure as theBible is true, you shall besaved.

Youmaytellmeyouarenotworthy,youarenotgoodenough,youarenotelect. I answer, You are a sinner, and youwant to be saved, andwhatmoredoyouneed?YouareoneofthosewhomJesuscametosave.CometoHimandyoushallhavelife.Takewithyouwords,andHewillhearyougraciously.TellHimallyoursoul'snecessities,andIknowfromtheBibleHewillgiveheed.TellHimyouhaveheardHereceivessinners,andthatyouaresuch.TellHimyouhaveheardHehasthekeysoflifeinhishand,andentreatHimtoletyouin.TellHimyoucomeindependenceonHisownpromises,andaskHimtofulfillHisword,and"doasHehassaid."(2Sam.7:25.)Dothisinsimplicityandsincerity,and,mysoulforyours—youshallnotaskinvain.DothisandyoushallfindHimfaithfulandjusttoforgiveyoursins,andtocleanseyoufromallunrighteousness.(1John1:9.)

VIII.AWordofExhortation

4.Lastofall, letmegiveawordofexhortationtoall forgivensouls.Youareforgiven.Thenknowthefullextentofyourprivileges,andlearnto rejoice in theLord.Youand I are great sinners—but thenwehaveagreatSavior.YouandIhavesinnedsinsthatarepastman'sknowledge—but thenwe have "the love of Christ, which passes knowledge," to restupon. (Eph. 3:19.) You and I feel our hearts to be a bubblingfountainofevil—butthenwehaveanotherfountainofgreaterpowerinChrist'sblood,towhichwemaydailyresort.YouandIhave mighty enemies to contend with—but then the "Captain of oursalvation"ismightierstill,andiseverwithus.Whyshouldourheartsbetroubled? Why should we be disquieted and cast down? O men andwomenoflittlefaiththatweare!Whydowedoubt?

Let us strive every year to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of ourLordJesusChrist.Itissadtobecontentwithalittlepiety.Itishonorabletocovetthebestgifts.Weoughtnottobesatisfiedwiththesamekindofhearing, and reading, and praying,which satisfied us in years gone by.We ought to labor every year to throw more heart and reality intoeverythingwedoinourreligion.ToloveChristmoreintensely—toabhorsinmore thoroughly—to cleave towhat is goodmore closely—towatchevenourleastwaysmorenarrowly—todeclareveryplainlythatweseekaheavenlycountry—toputon theLordJesusChrist,andbeclothedwithHim in every place and company—to seemore—to feelmore—to knowmore—todomore—theseoughttobeouraimsanddesireseveryyearwebegin.Trulythereisroomforimprovementinusall.

Let us try to do good to the souls of others, more than we have donehitherto. Alas, it is poor work indeed to be swallowed up in our ownspiritual concerns, and taken up with our own spiritual ailments, andnevertothinkofothers!Weforgetthatthereissuchathingasreligiousselfishness.Letuscountitasorrowfulthingtogotoheavenalone,andletusseektodrawcompanionswithus.Weoughtnevertoforgetthateveryman,womanandchildaroundus—willsoonbeeitherinheavenorhell.Let us say to others, asMoses did toHobab, "Comewithus,andwewilldoyougood."(Num.10:29.)Oh,itisindeedatruesaying,"Hewhowatersshallbewateredhimself."(Prov.11:25.)Theidle,do-little,selfishChristianhaslittleideawhatheismissing.

Butaboveall, letus learnto live the lifeof faith inJesusmorethanwehavehitherto.Ever to be foundby the fountain side—ever to be eatingChrist'sbodybyfaith,anddrinkingChrist'sbloodbyfaith—evertohavebeforeourmindsChrist'sdyingforoursins—Christ'srisingagainforourjustification—Christ interceding forus atGod's righthand—Christ sooncomingagaintogatherustoHimself—thisisthemarkwhichweshouldhavecontinuallybeforeoureyes.Wemayfallshort—butletusaimhigh.Let us walk in the full light of the Sun of righteousness, and then ourgraceswillgrow.Letusnotbeliketreesonacoldnorthwall—weak,half-starved,andunfruitful.Letusratherstrivetobelikethesunflower—andfollowthegreatFountainofLightwhereverHegoes,andseeHimwithopenface.Oh,foraneyemorequicktodiscernHisdealings!Oh,foran

earmorereadytohearHisvoice!

Finally, let us say to everything in the world that interferes betweenourselves and Jesus Christ, "Stand aside!" Let usdreadallowingourselvesintheleastevilhabits,lestinsensiblytheyriseup likeamistandhideHimfromoureyes."InHis lightaloneshallwesee light" and feel warmth; and separate from Him we shall find theworldadarkandcoldwilderness.(Psalm36:9.)WeshouldcalltomindtherequestoftheAthenianphilosopher,whenthemightiestMonarchonearthaskedhimwhathedesiredmost."Ihave,"saidhe,"butonerequesttomake—thatyouwouldmovefrombetweenmeandthesun."LetthisbethespiritinwhichyouandIarefoundcontinually.Letusthinklightlyoftheworld'sgifts.Letussitcalmlyunderitscares.Letuscarefornothingif we may only ever see the King's face, if we may only ever abide inChrist.

Ifoursinsareforgiven,ourbestthingsareyettocome.Yeta littletime,andweshall"seefacetoface,andknowaswehavebeenknown."Weshall"seetheKinginHisbeauty,"and"gooutnomore."(1Cor.13:12;Isa.33:17;Rev.3:12.)"Blessedthenishewhosetransgressionisforgiven,andwhosesinsarecovered."(Psalm32:1.)

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