"From the sole of the
foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed,
neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment." Isaiah 1:6
The whole race of mankind, in consequence
of the fall, is infected with a most dreadful, fearful, soul-killing disease!
You are infected with
it yourself!
It is in your nature, and its effects are manifested in your conduct! Its seat is in
the heart — which has become deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked!
This malignant disease has spread over every faculty of the soul!
The understanding
is darkened — so that you cannot see your dreadful state!
The
conscience is defiled — and
neglects its vital office!
The will is powerfully biased to evil — and chooses what God abhors!
The affections are earth-bound — and set on forbidden things!
The
imagination is become sensual —
and only employed in evil!
The reason is debased — and calls darkness, light; and light, darkness!
The memory is captivated, and become a storehouse of iniquity!
The
whole soul is paralyzed, polluted,
and diseased!
Righteousness, before the fall, once lodged in it —
but now murderers reside there!
Satan has got possession —
and endeavors to lead you to hell in a false peace!
You are naturally . . .
unfit
for heaven,
at enmity with God,
exposed to His wrath,
cursed by His law,
condemned by His word,
traveling to perdition,
and ripening for damnation!
You cannot . . .
deliver yourself from sin's dominion,
cleanse yourself
from inherent defilement,
or escape the righteous judgment of God,
by anything that you can do.
You are . . .
without strength,
blind to your everlasting welfare,
and a hater of God!
You . . .
were born a sinner,
have
lived transgressing,
and dying in such a state,
will be banished into irremediable woe!
This is your state, reader — whoever you may be!
This is your situation — however
you may have lived!
This is your condition — whatever you may think!
Have you ever seen yourself
in this situation?
Have you ever felt this to be your case?
Have you ever trembled on account of it —
and sought a remedy?
If not, this is the very worst symptom of your disease!
You
are . . .
insensible of your wretched condition,
under a spiritual derangement,
and madness is in your heart!
But if you have discovered your malady,
if you have felt
sin to be really a dreadful disease,
if you are seeking for a remedy;
then I rejoice in being able to
direct you to one that is provided, which may be obtained freely, and will certainly heal you!
God,
who is rich in mercy, for the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in sin — has devised a
way in which He can manifest Himself as a just God and a Savior! He has provided a suitable and glorious remedy
for lost, ruined, and undone sinners! This remedy will . . .
heal the wounded,
cleanse the
filthy,
sanctify the unholy,
justify the condemned,
liberate the captive,
and save the lost!
It will give . . .
sight to the blind,
hearing to the deaf,
strength to the weak,
wisdom to the foolish,
and life
to the dead!
It gives . . .
peace to the distressed,
direction to the
perplexed,
riches to the poor,
clothing to the naked,
the oil of joy for
mourning,
and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.
The remedy I allude
to — is Jesus the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. His blood is the true balm of Gilead —
and he is the physician there! His name is Jehovah-rophi, the Almighty healer of poor sinners! He . . .
heals all disorders,
removes all diseases, and
restores to perfect health,
without money and without cost!
He has opened a fountain for all sin and uncleanness, and all who apply
to it find that though their sins were like scarlet — they become white as snow! And though red like crimson
— they appear as purest wool.
He has eye-salve to anoint the darkened understanding which enables
us to see all things in his light.
He has grace which rectifies the disordered imagination!
He cleanses the guilty conscience, and sanctifies the filthy soul.
He . . .
removes the evil bias from the will,
restores reason to its place, and
fixes the
affections on himself.
He makes . . .
sin hateful,
holiness lovely,
and
worship delightful.
He . . .
reconciles to God,
introduces us into the divine presence,
and gives us a title to glory!
He . . .
fits us to enjoy spiritual things,
brings down heaven into the heart, and
makes us fit to
be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.
He . . .
delivers from condemnation,
rescues from hell, and
leads all who flee to him — to heaven!
He
subdues sin's dominion — and takes away the love of it from the heart.
He sends the Holy
Spirit to wash us with the washing of regeneration, to lead us into the truth, and to seal us to the day of redemption.
He comes himself and takes possession of the heart, reigns in the affections, and sanctifies the
whole man.
He brings the Father into the soul, who sheds abroad his love there.
Paradise is restored in the heart.
The soul is made like a watered garden, joy and gladness are found
therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody.
Guilt is removed by an application of the atonement,
sin's dominion is destroyed by the reigning power of grace,
and the love of sin is taken away by fellowship
with him in his sufferings.
The sinner is now reconciled to God,
the conscience is made
tender of sinning,
and the soul is justified from all things.
In a word, he cures internally,
by the implantation of his graces.
He makes us consistent externally, by teaching us to deny ungodliness
and worldly lusts; and constraining us to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present world.
And
He saves us eternally, by his righteousness, blood shedding, and death.
All this, Jesus does
for sinners; for all sinners who are made willing to flee to him, believe on him, and receive from him the riches of
grace!
All this Jesus does freely without money and without cost!
"Every
man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me."
"No man can come to me,
except the Father which hath sent me draw him"
"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him
that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
There is life in Christ for every willing soul.
He is a perfect Savior, an atoning sacrifice for our sins, and the only way by which sinners can approach to God
with acceptance and comfort. In his person, blood, righteousness, death, and intercession — is a perfect remedy
for sinners, let their state, case, or condition be what it may.
This then is the REMEDY, the ONLY
remedy that God has provided for sin and sinners — and ALL who flee unto it, and by faith make use of it, are cured
for evermore!
Are you coming to Jesus? Are you seeking God's remedy? Or, are you careless still?
How important, yes, how infinitely important is the inquiry. My fellow-sinner, let conscience do its office, be honest
with yourself for once, and ask, 'Am I coming to Jesus?' If you are not coming to him, you are living at a distance
from him, and if you are satisfied so to live, let me tell you — you are satisfied to live as a stranger to real
happiness now; destitute of hope for the future; and under the wrath and curse of God! And dreadful to say —
but not more dreadful than true: living and dying in such a state — you will have your portion in the lake that
burns with brimstone and fire! "Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none
to deliver." "This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow"