If sin-burdened souls are solemnly invited to come to Christ, then it follows that whatever guilt lies upon the conscience of a humbled sinner, it is no presumption, but his duty to come to Christ, notwithstanding his own apprehended vileness and great unworthiness. Let it be observed how happily that universal particle ‘all’ is inserted in Christ’s invitation, for the encouragement of sinners. Come unto me *all ye* that labour’. Let no broken-hearted sinner exclude himself, when he is not by me excluded from mercy. My grace is my own; I may bestow it where I will. It is not I but Satan that impales and encloses my mercy from humbled souls that are made willing to come to me; he calls that your presumption, which my invitation makes your duty.
Here however there are some objections which we must notice. (1) I fear that my case is excepted by Christ himself in Math. 12, v. 31, where blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is exempted from pardon; and I have had many horrid blasphemous thoughts injected into my soul—But art thou burdened and heavy laden? If so, thy case is not in that or any other scripture exempted from mercy; for the unpardonable sin is always found in an impenitent heart. As that sin finds no pardon with God, so neither is it followed with contrition and sorrow in the soul that commits it. (2) But if I am not guilty of that sin, I am certainly guilty of many great and heinous abominations of another kind, too great for me to expect mercy for, and therefore I dare not go to Christ. The greater your sins have been the more need you have to go to Jesus Christ. Let not a motive to go to Christ be made an obstacle in your way to him. Great sinners are expressly called Is. 1, v. 18. And it is a high reproach and dishonour to the blood of Christ, and to the mercy of God, which flows so freely through him, to object the greatness of sin to either of them. Certainly you have not sinned beyond the extent of mercy, or beyond the efficacy of the blood of Christ; but pardon and mercy may be had, if you will thus come to Christ for it. (3) But it is now too late. I have had many thousand calls by the gospel, and refused them; many purposes in my heart to go to Christ; and quenched them. My time therefore is past, and now it is to no purpose. If the time of grace be past, and God intends no mercy for you, how comes it to pass that you are now filled with trouble and distress for sin? Is this the frame of a man’s heart that is past hope? Do such signs as these appear in men that are hopeless? Besides, the time of grace is a secret, but coming to Christ is a duty plainly revealed to us. And why will you object a thing that is secret against a duty that is so plain and evident? Nor do you yourselves believe what you object, for at the same time that you say your seasons are over, it is too late; you are notwithstanding found repenting, mourning, praying and striving to come to Christ. Certainly if you knew it were too late you would not be found labouring in the use of means. Go on therefore and the Lord be with you. It is not presumption, but obedience to come when Christ calls, as he here doth “COME UNTO ME, <b>ALL YE</b> THAT LABOUR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN”.
John Flavel.