Rejoice in this: that Jesus has foreseen your cases and provided accordingly. He says, “Come”; that is, believe, as He Himself expounds it: “He that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst”. See how His promises suit the state you are in.
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Are you heavy laden with guilt? The gospel message is, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin”.
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Are you groaning under the power of indwelling sin? Hear His gracious words: “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live”. And to the same purpose His prophet said, “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength”.
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Are you striving in the fire to keep the law? “Wherefore do you spend money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which satisfieth not?” Forego the vain attempt. Is it not written, “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth”?
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Are you in temptation? He that says, “Come unto Me,” has been tempted Himself and knows how to pity you. He has power over your enemy and can deliver you with a word. Did He not thus dispossess Satan in the days of His humiliation? If so, surely He is no less able now, for since that time He has gloriously triumphed over the powers of darkness. And as His arm is not shortened, neither is His ear heavy; He has said, without making any exception, “Whosoever cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out”. And thousands who have been in the same distress as you have found that promise fulfilled: “The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly”.
1The conclusion of a sermon on: “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28). Newton here applies the text to “convinced, striving and tempted souls”. Taken, with editing, from Newton’s Works, vol 2.