which results from benevolent effort. "Verily I say unto you, they have their reward." Matt. vi. 2. So you see it is quite possible to do God's work, without the slightest intention of doing his will. Like the builders of the ark, we may even help to save others, and yet perish ourselves. Some of the people of whom I have been speaking are so amiable, and even so self-denying, in their conduct, that no doubt is entertained of their safety, either by themselves or others. But all their goodness will profit them nothing, unless it springs from love to God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.' Rom. x. iii. There are other persons who often do what they know to be wrong, and who own that they are neglecting their plain duty; but they think themselves good people in the main, and hope that God will forgive their sins (or short comings, as they call them), because "he is merciful," or for Jesus Christ's sake." But this is a grievous mistake. It is even more dangerous than the other, because they appear to be building on the right foundation. God is indeed merciful, but he is also just, and there is only one way in which he can show both mercy and justice. That is, by accepting the Saviour's righteousness instead of ours, and allowing him to bear our punish ment. By believing in Christ, we become one with him, and he with us. But a person living in wilful sin cannot be thus united to Christ. And "there is no salvation in any other." Acts, iv. 12. Therefore a person living in sin cannot be saved, even for Christ's sake. Those who come to him for salvation must give up all sin, and all dependance on their own goodness, or his precious death will avail them nothing. It is in vain for the price to be paid, if people will not go to be washed. You know the Bible tells us, that "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags." Isaiah, lxiv. 6. So that even if it were possible to take part of the righteousness of Christ to make out our own, it would be of no use. It would be like putting a new piece on an old gar ment. How should we look at the great day of judgment with one white patch on our filthy garments? Should we be allowed to appear amongst those who have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb? No, my dear children, there is no such thing as serving God by halves. We must be either one thing or the other: either the servants of God, or the servants of the devil. We may put on the appearance of goodness in this world, and cover our sins with the veil of hypocrisy. But there is only one thing which can cover them at the day of judgment, and that is the robe of Christ's righteousness. We can only be justified in that day by being found to be one with Christ: and "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth" (wilfully and habitually) "hath not seen him, neither known him." 1 John, iii. 6. 66 And now, little children, abide in him; that when he shall appear we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming." 1 John, ii. 28. "There is a path that leads to God, — Narrow, but pleasant, is the road, It leads straight through this world of sin, How shall an infant pilgrim dare Lies near and opens fair; And many turn aside, I know, To walk with sinners there. But lest my feeble steps should slide, Then I may go without alarm, And trust this word of old,- 66 Satan, the world, and sin, Entice me from my God; Tempt me to leave the heavenly path, O thou, who on the cross Thine by a thousand ties I am, and still would be; trengthen my faith, increase my love, And draw my soul to thee!" XI. "Wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." MATTHEW, vii. 13, 14. I TOLD you, the last time I talked to you, that there are only two kinds of people in the world;-the children of God, and the children of the devil. God's children are all walking in the way to heaven, and the rest are in the way to everlasting destruction, though sometimes they do not know it. Now I will tell you something more of what the Bible says about these two ways. First, it says: "Wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat." This means, that the way to hell is generally so smooth and easy, especially at first, that continuing in it is like walking in a broad and level road. It requires no effort, no self-denial. It has been said, a dead fish can swim with the stream; but a living one only can swim against it. So people, who are dead in sin, are easily carried down the stream of time into the gulf of perdition; but those who wish to escape it, must use diligence and exertion. People do not like the trouble of denying them selves, and striving against sin, so they go on from day to day without any concern about the matter. And then death comes, and finds them quite unfit for heaven, and sends them to pass an awful eternity in "weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth." Perhaps they have not been guilty of many gross sins; and, being ignorant of their state by nature, they are not afraid of dying, and never find out their mistake till they awake in hell. Sometimes they do know where the road will take them to, and make many resolutions to turn back: but the farther they go, the more difficult they find it to return. Just as if you were walking down a steep hill: the farther you went, the harder it would be to get up again. Every act of self-indulgence and sin adds a new link to the chain of habit with which we are tied and bound and even if God should loose the fetters in our later years, they will still hang about us, and make us go heavily even to the gates of heaven. But then this slavery is not felt at first: and it falls in so well with our own inclinations that we do not object to it. This is why so many people choose to walk in the broad road. "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." That is, our hearts are so wicked, that when we begin to serve God, it is like walking up hill, in a narrow and lonely way. Now, my dear children, which of these ways will you choose? The broad way, the way of idleness, and carelessness, and sin, will be the easiest at first. |