accept of a full salvation from sin and sorrow, then speak out at once, and refuse it! But this is not the case:

you

you know that desire it; you know its value; you would part with all you have, be it less or more, to enjoy it. Is it not so? Then surely, you are willing; and the words of Christ himself should convince you, that you are welcome.

2. What is the blessing offered?-Exactly that which you need, and desire: "Water"—to cool your fever, to quench your thirst, to refresh and strengthen your soul.

But would you know what it is in plainer language? It is the Pardon of all your sins; all in one momentall this very moment-if you thirst for that, and be willing to have it. For he who offers it, has laid down his own precious life for sinners-he "bore your sins in his own body on the tree," that they might never again be imputed to you. The deed is already done, for all his redeemed flock; and the offer of a share therein is here set before every convinced and willing soul.— Again, it is spiritual Life-the life of love, holiness, peace, joy; such a life on earth, as angels lead above; implanted by regeneration-breathing in prayer-growing by daily supplies of his strengthening Spirit-watered by dews from heaven.-Finally, it will be Heaven itself; where flows the " pure river of the water of life; where, if you ask who the inhabitants are, you will receive for answer, "These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb....they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more:"3 for, moreover, these are they who hungered and thirsted after righteousness," and now "they are filled."

3. On what terms is all this offered ?—' Here,' methinks I hear you say, 'here no doubt is the difficulty: 11 Peter ii. 24. 2 Rev. xxii. 1. 3 Rev. vii. 14-17. 4 Matt. v. 6.

the conditions are in all probability out of my power.' Yes, brethren, here is indeed the difficulty; but it is a difficulty very different from that which you imagine. You expect to be "bidden to do some great thing." 1 The difficulty will be, to persuade you to accept the Gospel invitation "freely"-which are the only terms on which it is offered. Christ has done so much for your salvation, that he will not have any thing added to his work : but here he stands, with pardon, holiness, and glory in his hand; and he calls on you only to come to him and receive them. And how is this to be done?' It must be done in Prayer-it must be done by Faith-it must be done simply, humbly, unhesitatingly, thankfully. " Take then the water of life," but take it "freely;" as a mere gift-equally open to the poor as to the rich-to the sinner as to the saint; free for the acceptance, in short, of every one "that is athirst," of "whosoever will."

Observe now, in the second place,

II. THE URGENCY WITH WHICH THIS GRACE IS PRESSED UPON YOUR ACCEPTANCE.

All, who know anything of its blessings, are represented as joining in the invitation, or are commanded to carry it to others.

66

I Jesus....the root and offspring of David, the bright and morning star"-I who purchased this salvation with my own heart's blood, and therefore well know the value of it-it is I who by my messengers say to you, Come and take" of me ،، the water of life freely!"-Brethren, make haste to reply, Lord, if it be thou, I will come unto thee; only lay hold of my hand as I walk, lest the boisterous waves of guilt and sin shake my faith, and I sink in despair!' 3 2 Verse 16. 3 See Matt. xiv. 28-30.

12 Kings v. 13.

Again, "the Spirit" also "saith, Come!" come to "the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world!" He saith it in the Scriptures, which were given by his inspiration; every page there testifies of Jesus, and invites the thirsting sinner. He saith it in the examples of peace, love, and joy, which may be seen in those whom he has drawn to Christ, and put in actual possession of the living water. He saith it, in his secret voice within thee; which tells thee, O sinner, that there is no comfort or happiness out of Christ; which is urging thee (at this very hour, perhaps) to flee for thy life to "the Friend of Sinners." 2 He has now once more brought to thine ear the blessed news, that "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself"-for it is he who enables his ministers to "beseech you in Christ's stead, Be ye reconciled unto God."3

Again, the invitation is repeated by "the Bride, the Lamb's wife "that is, by the whole spiritual Church of God, in all ages, and in all climes ;-for of all these, Christ is the "husband," 5 the "beloved," the "friend." 6 They are even now "espoused" unto him; but the marriage itself is delayed, till the whole number of his elect shall be accomplished. Meanwhile, it is their delightful employment, while here, to say "Come!" None like them can tell of the lovingkindness of the Lord: and therefore with one voice they invite you, saying, Come, "taste and see that the Lord is good! "7

Once more, "He that heareth" these words, whoever he be, is commanded to re-echo them to others. And therefore I also "say, Come! All things are ready for your reception: he who extended his arms on

1

John i. 29. 2 Matt. xi. 19. 32 Cor. v. 19, 20. 4 Rev. xxi. 9. 5 2 Cor. xi. 2. 6 Sol. Song v. 16. 7 Psalm xxxiv. 8.

you in

the cross in agony, now spreads them towards love and 66 we have known and believed the love, that he hath to us.' Oh that you may know it also! Gladly will you then do your part, and, according to your ability, say to them that are afar off, and to them that are near, "Come! And thus at length shall the promise be fulfilled-" I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me!" Amen! Hasten it, O Lord, in thine own time!

But perhaps there are some here present, who are practically resolving that no invitations shall draw them to the Saviour. Let such persons realize the solemn meeting which they must one day have, with those who now desire their conversion: when Jesus shall openly declare, "Ye would not come unto me, that ye might have life!" when the Spirit shall say, I touched the heart, but it became harder than ever! when the Bride shall say, In vain I testified to these unbelievers, that "the chiefest among Lord was my ten thousand, aud altogether lovely! " And what will you in that day plead on your own behalf? Alas! self-evident guilt will stop your mouth; "the wrath of the Lamb" will overtake you; you "" will be silent in darkness." 5 By the terrors of that day, then, I once more charge you, "Come!" Come to "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." He still waits-perhaps he will not wait much longer-he still waits to be gracious. Let him not wait in vain! Let him have the satisfaction of being able to declare, amidst rejoicing angels," This my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." 6

3 John v. 40.

1 John iv. 16. 4 Sol. Song v. 10. 16.

8 John xii. 32.
5 1 Sam. ii. 9.

6 Luke xv. 24.

SERMON XII.

Mark viii. 22—26.—And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw aught. And he looked up, and said, I see men, as trees, walking. After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up; and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.

THE works of mercy performed by our Lord Jesus in the days of his flesh, were intended not only as proofs of his power, and evidences of his doctrine; but also as emblems of that work of grace, which he is daily carrying on in the hearts of them that shall be saved. Hence you will often find this work described under terms which allude to bodily healing. For example"I send thee" (said the Saviour to St. Paul)" to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God."- Let us then take the history in our text, as an illustration of the proceedings of the Great Physician, when he comes to heal the blindness of the natural heart, by his converting Spirit. It may serve to remind us, that the work of grace is,

1 Acts xxvi. 17, 18.