Base things of the world hath God chosen
1 Corinthians 1:28
Walk the streets by moonlight, if you dare, and you will see
sinners then. Watch when the night is dark, and the wind is howling,
and the picklock is grating in the door, and you will see sinners
then. Go to yon jail, and walk through the wards, and mark the men
with heavy over-hanging brows, men whom you would not like to meet at
night, and there are sinners there. Go to the Reformatories, and note
those who have betrayed a rampant juvenile depravity, and you will
see sinners there. Go across the seas to the place where a man will
gnaw a bone upon which is reeking human flesh, and there is a sinner
there. Go where you will, you need not ransack earth to find sinners,
for they are common enough; you may find them in every lane and
street of every city, and town, and village, and hamlet. It is for
such that Jesus died. If you will select me the grossest specimen of
humanity, if he be but born of woman, I will have hope of him yet,
because Jesus Christ is come to seek and to save sinners. Electing
love has selected some of the worst to be made the best. Pebbles of
the brook grace turns into jewels for the crown-royal. Worthless
dross He transforms into pure gold. Redeeming love has set apart many
of the worst of mankind to be the reward of the Saviour's passion.
Effectual grace calls forth many of the vilest of the vile to sit at
the table of mercy, and therefore let none despair.
Reader, by that love looking out of Jesus' tearful eyes, by that
love streaming from those bleeding wounds, by that faithful love,
that strong love, that pure, disinterested, and abiding love; by the
heart and by the bowels of the Saviour's compassion, we conjure you
turn not away as though it were nothing to you; but believe on Him
and you shall be saved. Trust your soul with Him and He will bring
you to His Father's right hand in glory everlasting.
