indeed; this is a great length, yea a greater length than the most part of you, who are hearing me this day, have come unto, and yet they are far from the kingdom of heaven. Observe that passage. Mark xii. 32, 33. Where a scribe answered our Lord and said, ‘To love the Lord with all the heart and with all the understanding, and with all their soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.’ To whom our Lord replies, 34, verse, 'Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.’ Ninthly, These come not unto Jesus Christ, who have common gifts, and rest there. O, say ye, I find a faculty of prayer, I want not words enough and get them bravely set upon the pins, and I have great knowledge of the scriptures, and I am straight and not biased in my judgement; and what need such a man (as I) fear? O deluded soul, consider what Paul says, 1 Cor. xiii. 2. ‘Though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.’ No doubt, Judas had much of this; God will give gifts unto persons, for the behoof and advantage of others; but when he gives grace, it is ay for their own advantage; yea, the devil is better gifted, and hath more knowledge than all of you have.
Tenthly, These come not unto Christ, who suffer many things materially for the truth, and have some seeming fruits thereof, and rest there; do not think that your suffering your goods to be spoiled, and yourselves cast out of your habitation before ye comply with the enemy, is a ground from which ye may conclude all to be right: Nay, I tell you, as the Apostle says, 1 Cor xiii. Though ye should bestow all your goods to feed the poor, ‘though I
