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not afflict beyond what is requisite. The sinner will see this hereafter, and should now believe it. If less would wean him from sin and self, he would not be so tried; but Christ is determined not to lose him. He will wean the heart from every other object to make room for himself.

3. That awakened sinners should come immediately unto Christ. They will never find satisfaction any where else. They should endeavour to get over their difficulties; while they stay away, these never will be less. The number and magnitude of sins often deter the awakened soul from coming to Christ. By staying away they contract new guilt, instead of lessening the old. An interest in Christ alone can rectify matters. When taking thought of applying to the Saviour, they are afraid he will not receive them. They should consider his infinite condescension, his urging invitations, and free promises. These are a most satisfactory proof that the most heinous sins are no obstacle on his part. Hear his own words:

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool; and him that cometh unto me I will in nowise cast out." While coming to Christ is the highest privilege, it is also the greatest duty: "and this is the commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son, Jesus Christ."

In fine, from this part of the subject we may infer, that if believers have lost their sweet enjoyments, and again are weary, they should inquire into the cause. They will commonly find it within them.

Though the Lord is sovereign, yet when he withdraws, his design is to bring them to search and try their ways. If any sin is indulged, it should be confessed and forsaken. Faith should be exercised, and the blood of Christ improved anew. To make the saints submissive to this distressing state while it continues, they should meditate on the advantages of it. It humbles them, and makes them self-emptied. It keeps them prayerful and dependant. It makes their souls follow hard after God. It fills them with longing for that place where the weary are at rest; and while their warfare is protracted, makes them prize Him who has the tongue of the learned, and can speak a word in season to him that is weary.

SERMON VIII.

ISAIAH L. 4.

The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary.

THERE is an inconceivable fulness in Christ. Multitudes have been supplied from it, without diminishing it in the least degree. As it never can be exhausted, neither can it be fully unfolded. Many a tongue and pen have been employed in endeavouring to describe the fulness of the Redeemer, and many more will attempt the pleasing work. However penetrating they may be, it will find them full employ, and they will hand it down to others as scarcely begun, instead of being accomplished. A perfect description of the Redeemer's fulness surpasses human and angelic powers. Every thing about him is fraught with consolation. His Gospel is glad tidings. While the names of the Saviour express his personal dignity, they also proclaim his care about his members. His relations are calculated to inspire the sinner with hope, and the saint with joy. There is something in him suited to support and comfort his people. Christ hath so ordered it, that his servants and people, through his blessing, are useful to one another. They

mutually reprove, exhort, and encourage. But there is always something which none can do but himself. However fitly men of the most shining talents, and distinguished for grace, may address the awakened sinner, or disconsolate saint; they cannot ease the smart. Christ must speak himself. His word is always suitable and seasonable, powerful and comforting, and carries its own evidence. As in every other thing Christ has the pre-eminence, so in this of speaking to the heart; for the Lord God hath given him the tongue of the learned, that he should know how to speak a word in season to him that is

weary.

In the former discourse we endeavoured to open the character of the weary, and now go on, as was proposed,

II. To illustrate the gracious declaration, The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary.

1. This declaration imports that the weary are Christ's peculiar charge. It is a faithful saying, that he came to save the chief of sinners. It was designed by his enemies as a reproach, that he was the friend of publicans and sinners; but he gloried in it. All without exception are called and invited to receive him. Nothing can be more explicit than the unlimited offer of salvation to sinners of every description. They who confine the Gospel offer, act in direct opposition to him who said, “Unto "Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of men. Ho, every

one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Him that cometh unto me I will in nowise cast out. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come; and let him that heareth say, Come; and let him that is athirst come; and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." But, while all are called, these only who are burdened and distressed will apply for relief. These only who are brokenhearted, and full of sores, will employ the great Physician. The weary are most particularly invited. Groaning under pressures, as we have seen, and sinking under a sense of guilt, while they greatly need relief, they tremble to apply for it. Distressed with their own unworthiness, and loathing themselves, they apprehend that they must be infinitely more objects of abhorrence to Christ. To dispel their fears, and encourage their hearts, he addresses them in a very particular manner. Many of the promises and invitations are most apposite to the weary. When he opened his mouth to pronounce blessings, he began with the poor in spirit, and the in spirit, and the weary. All the Bible over, the Lord speaks most frequently, and emphatically, to such as are weary; otherwise the promise of relief and consolation could be no inducement to bring them to him. The text is replete with comfort. While the Saviour's work lies among sinners, it is worthy of observation, and should be attended to by the disconsolate and dejected, that Christ does not say, The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned that I should know how to

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