And now, beloved, let me know your mind; what do you intend to do? Will you go on and die, or will you turn and lay hold on eternal life? How long will ye linger in Sodom? “How long will ye halt between two opinions?” Have you not yet resolved whether Christ or Barabbas, whether bliss or torment, whether this vain and wretched world, or the paradise of God, be the better choice? Is it a disputable case whether the Abana and Pharpar of Damascus be better than all the streams of Eden; or whether the vile pool of sin is to be preferred before the water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb? Can the world in good earnest do that for you which Christ can? Will it stand by you to eternity? Will pleasures, lands, titles, and treasures descend with you? If not, had you not need look after some-” thing that will? What mean you to stand wavering? Shall I leave you at last, like Agrippa, only almost persuaded? You are for ever lost if left here; as good be not at all, as not altogether a Christian, How long will you rest in idle wishes and fruitless purposes? When will you come to a fixed, firm, and full resolve? Do not you see how Satan cheats you by tempting you to delays? How long hath he drawn you on in the way of perdition 2 -
Well, put me not off with a dilatory answer; tell me not of hereafter; I must have your immediate consent. If you be not now resolved, while the Lord is treating with you and inviting you, much less are you like to be hereafter, when these impressions are worn off, and you are hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Will you give me your hand? - Will you set open the door and give the Lord Jesus the full and ready possession? Will you put your name unto his covenant? What do you resolve upon? If you still delay, my labor is lost, and all is likely to come to nothing. Come, cast in your lot; make your choice. “Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation: to-day, if you will hear his voice.” Why should not this be the day whence thou shouldst be able to date thy happiness? Why shouldst thou venture a day longer in this dangerous and dreadful condition? What if God should this night require thy soul? O’that thou mightest know in this thy day the things that belong to thy peace, before they be hid from thine eyes!” This is thy day, and it is but a day. Others have had their day, and have received their doom; and now art thou brought upon the stage of this world, here to act thy part for thy eternity. Remember, thou art now upon thy good behavior for everlasting; if thou make not a wise choice now, thou art undone for ever. What thy present choice is, such must be thine eternal condition.
And is it true indeed? Are life and death at thy choice? Why, then, what hinders but that thou shouldst be happy? Nothing doth or can hinder but thine own wilful neglect or refusal, It was the saying of the eunuch to Philip, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” So I may say to thee, See, here is Christ, here is mercy, pardon, life; what hinders but that thou shouldst be pardoned and saved? One of the martyrs, as he was praying at the stake, had his pardon set by him in a box, which indeed he rightly refused, because upon unworthy terms; but here the terms are most honorable and easy. O sinner, wilt thou perish with thy pardon by thee? Do but forthwith give thy consent to Christ, to renounce thy sins, deny thyself, take up the yoke and the cross, and thou carriest the day: Christ is thine; pardon, peace, life, blessedness, are all thine. And is not this an offer worth embracing? Why shouldst thou hesitate or doubtfully dispute about the case? Is it not past controversy whether God be better than sin, and glory than vanity? Why shouldst thou forsake thy own mercy, and sin against thy own life? When wilt thou shake off thy sloth, and lay by thine excuses? ‘” Boast not thyself of to-morrow, thou knowest not where this night may lodge thee.
Now the Holy Spirit is strividg with you—he will not always strive. Hast thou not felt thine heart warmed by the word, and been almost persuaded to leave off thy sins and come to Christ? Hast thou not felt some motions in thy mind, wherein thou hast been warned of thy danger, and told what thy careless course would end in? It may be thou art like young Samuel, who, when the Lord called once and again, knew not the voice of the Lord; but these motions are the offers, and callings, and strivings of the Spirit. O take advantage of the tide, and know the day of thy visitation.
Now the Lord Jesus stretcheth wide his arms to receive you; he bescecheth you by us. How movingly, how meltingly, how compassionately he calleth. The church is put into a sudden ecstasy-at the sound of his voice, “the voice of my beloved.” O wilt thou turn a deaf ear to his voice? Is it not the voice that breaketh the cedars, and maketh the mountains to skip like a calf; that shaketh the wilderness, and divideth the flames of fire? It is not Sinai’s thunder, but a soft and still voice. It is not the voice of Mount Ebal, a voice of cursing and terror, but the voice of Mount Gerizim, the voice of blessing and glad tidings of good things. It is not the voice of the trumpet nor the noise of war, but a message of peace from the King of peace. I may say to thee, O sinner, as Martha to her sister, The Master is come, and he calleth for thee.” Now then, with Mary, arise quickly and come unto him. How sweet are his invitations! He crieth in the open concourse, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.” How bountiful is he! He excludeth none. Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine that I have mingled. Forsake the foolish and live.” Come unto me, take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, and ye shall find rest to your souls.” “Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out.” How doth he be- “moan the obstinate refuser! O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered thy children, as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” Behold me, behold me: I.