April 26

"Come unto me." — Matthew 11:28.

SUCH is the kind invitation of the Saviour to the perishing sinner. Let us make three inquiries in reference to this act.

TO WHOM ARE WE TO COME? To Jesus. Shall we go to angels? they cannot save us. To the law? it will condemn us. To the world? it will deceive us.

BY WHAT POWER ARE WE TO COME? Not by our own. John 6:44. Who ever heard of the frozen heart melting into tenderness of itself? or the dead soul quickening itself to spiritual life? or the heart of stone changed by human power into a heart of flesh? The arm of omnipotence must be exerted, or nothing can be done to purpose.

HOW ARE WE TO COME? "They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them." Jeremiah 31:9. We must come

Repenting of our sins. When the sinner returns, what is the first object he sees? The cross, reminding him of sin. What is the first influence he realizes? The Spirit convincing him of sin. What is the first desire he expresses? "God be merciful to me a sinner."

Praying for mercy. Prayer is the effect of repentance, and repentance is the origin of prayer. There is an intimate connection between believing, repenting, and praying; faith sees, repentance mourns, prayer speaks: faith may be compared to the eye, repentance to the heart, and prayer to the mouth; thus faith beholds the Saviour, repentance mourns for him, and prayer applies to him. How distinguished are the joys and privileges to be realized by those who have come to Christ! Those who draw near to him with weeping and prayer on earth, shall approach him with songs of triumph in heaven.