Scripture allusions continually remind us, that salvation is ‘not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God who sheweth mercy.’ Therefore not unto us, not to our free will, but to thy free grace, oh Lord, be all the glory. Like that poor silly creature, a sheep, we naturally stray into all kind of danger, but are unapt to return of ourselves. We never should, unless the Shepherd sought us. ‘We have turned every one to his own way,’ have lost ourselves in the wilderness of sin, are wounded by the wolf of prey, blinded, by pride, self-will, and self-righteousness.

We are too apt to forget where we are, what we are called to, and whither we are going. When we take a survey of the present state of men and things, judge according to appearances in nature and sense, and see one event happen alike to all, we are ready to ask, what advantage then hath the Christian; or what profit is there to new-born believing souls?

The love of God, like every other attribute and perfection of Jehovah, is everlasting and unchangeable, even as the essence of God himself. This love is manifested to his people in Christ Jesus; he is the object in whom they are viewed and loved by the Father. As Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and for ever, so is God’s love towards them. Time, with all its concurring circumstances, can make no alteration or change, increase or diminution herein. But as to the sense and enjoyment of this love, the word of truth, and the experience of believers plainly testify of its ebbing and flowing, its fervour and abatement in the soul. Hence the necessity of those tender calls, kind warnings, and loving counsels, are…