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And now； I have only to ask my readers to make a practical use of the
lessons I have brought before them。 You have heard this day five
things。
First。 That Christ's service will not secure you against troubles。 The
holiest saints are liable to them。
Second。 That Christ is very Man as well as God。
Third。 That believers may have much weakness and infirmity； and yet be
true believers。
Fourth。 That Christ has all power： and
Fifth。 That Christ is full of patience and kindness towards His people。
Remember these five lessons； and you will do well。
Bear with me a few moments while I say a few words to impress the
things you have been reading more deeply on your heart。
（1） This paper will very likely be read by some who know nothing of
Christ's service by experience； or of Christ Himself。
There are only too many who take no interest whatever in the things
about which I have been writing。 Their treasure is all below。 They are
wholly taken up with the things of the world。 They care nothing about
the believer's conflict； and struggles； and infirmities； and doubts；
and fears。
They care little whether Christ did miracles or not。 It is all a matter
of words； and names； and forms； about which they do not trouble
themselves。 They are without God in the world。
If perchance you are such a man as this； I can only warn you solemnly
that your present course cannot last。 You will not live for ever。 There
must be an end。 Grey hairs； age； sickness； infirmities； deathall； all
are before you； and must be met one day。 What will you do when that day
es？
Remember my words this day。 You will find no fort when sick and
dying； unless Jesus Christ is your friend。 You will； discover； to your
sorrow and confusion； that however much men may talk and boast； they
cannot do without Christ when they e to their deathbed。 You may send
for ministers； and get them to read prayers； and give you the
sacrament。 You may go through every form and ceremony of Christianity。
But if you persist in living a careless and worldly life； and despising
Christ in the morning of your days； you must not be surprised if Christ
leaves you to yourself in your latter end。 Alas！ these are solemn
words； and are often sadly fulfilled： 〃I will laugh at your calamity； I
will mock when your fear eth。〃 （Prov。 i。 26。）
e then； this day； and be advised by one who loves your soul。 Cease
to do evil。 Learn to do well。 Forsake the foolish； and go in the path
of understanding。 Cast away that pride which hangs about your heart；
and seek the Lord Jesus while He may be found。 Cast away that spiritual
sloth which is palsying your soul； and resolve to take trouble about
your Bible； your prayers； and your Sundays。 Break off from a world
which can never really satisfy you； and seek that treasure which alone
is truly incorruptible。 Oh； that the Lord's own words might find a
place in your conscience！ 〃How long； ye simple ones； will ye love
simplicity？ and the scorners delight in their scorning； and fools hate
knowledge？ Turn you at my reproof： behold I will pour out my Spirit
unto you； I will make known my words unto you。〃 （Prov。 i。 22； 23。） I
believe the crowning sin of Judas Iscariot was that he would not seek
pardon and turn again to his Lord。 Beware； lest that be your sin also。
（2） This paper will probably fall into the hands of some who love the
Lord Jesus； and believe in Him； and yet desire to love Him better。
If you are such a man； suffer the word of exhortation and apply it to
your heart。
For one thing； keep before your mind； as an ever…present truth； that
the Lord Jesus is an actual； living Person； and deal with Him as such。
I fear the personality of our Lord is sadly lost sight of by many
professors in the present day。 Their talk is more about salvation than
about the Saviourmore about redemption than about the Redeemermore
about justification than about Jesusmore about Christ's work than
about Christ's person。 This a great fault； and one that fully accounts
for the dry and sapless character of the religion of many professors。
As ever； you would grow in grace and have joy and peace in believing；
beware of falling into this error。 Cease to regard the Gospel as a mere
collection of dry doctrines。 Look at it rather as the revelation of a
mighty； living Being in whose sight you are daily to live。 Cease to
regard it as a mere set of abstract propositions and abstruse
principles and rules。 Look at it as the introduction to a glorious；
personal Friend。 This is the kind of Gospel that the Apostles preached。
They did not go about the world telling men of love； and mercy； and
pardon； in the abstract。 The leading subject of all their sermons was
the loving heart of an actual living Christ。 This is the kind of Gospel
which is most calculated to promote sanctification and meetness for
glory。 Nothing； surely； is so likely to prepare us for that heaven
where Christ's personal presence will be all； and that glory where we
shall meet Christ face to face； as to realize munion with Christ； as
an actual living Person here on earth。 There is all the difference in
the world between an idea and a person。
For another thing； try to keep before your mind； as an ever…present
truth； that the Lord Jesus is utterly unchanged。
That Saviour； in whom you trust； is the same yesterday； to…day； and for
ever。 He knows no variableness； nor shadow of turning。 Though high in
heaven at God's right hand； He is just the same in heart that He was
1900 years ago on earth。 Remember this and you will do well。
Follow Him all through Pits journeys to and fro in Palestine。 Mark how
He received all that came to Him and cast out none。 Mark how He had an
ear to listen to every tale of sorrow； a hand to help every case of
distress； a heart to feel for all who needed sympathy。 And then say to
yourself； 〃This same Jesus is He who is my Lord and Saviour。 Place a