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Every stage of the Redeemer's life confirmed the delightful fact, that "God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world," etc.

I. THE OBJECT OF APPROACH. Prophets spake of Him, that around Him should throng the sons and daughters of woe. Jacob said, when dying, "Unto Him shall the gathering together of the people be." Isaiah said, "Unto Him shall men come"; and He Himself said, "All that the Father hath given Me," etc. "And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto Me." He possesses qualifications to relieve our wants, in opposition to all assumed characters.

1. He is infinitely wise.

2. He is of illimitable power.

3. He is of boundless compassion: and by possession of these, He is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him.

II. THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH WE ARE TO COME.

1. For instruction. We are ignorant of ourselves — of God — of Christ — of the way of salvation. He is the light of the world — the great prophet. "All thy children shall be taught of the Lord," etc.

2. For pardon. We are guilty, and need pardon. "Him hath God exalted with His right hand," etc. "In whom we have redemption through His blood — the forgiveness of sins," etc. Whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.

3. For strength. We have duties to perform, difficulties to encounter, trials to endure. Without Him we can do nothing: but He has said, "My grace is sufficient for thee," and always remember as a check to indolence and supineness, that though without Him we can do nothing, "we can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth us."

4. For peace. He is the Prince of Peace. "My peace I leave with you," etc.; and we, as ministers of Christ, preach peace through the blood of His cross.

5. For eternal life. "I give unto My sheep eternal life." He is the record, "God hath given unto us eternal life, and this life is in His Son."

III. HOW WE ARE TO COME. A bodily act is not intended; many do this, and not come at all. Jesus said, when they thronged around Him, "Ye will riot come unto Me that ye might have life"; but a spiritual act is meant; and does it not remind us that we are naturally at a distance, not locally, but spiritually; and hence arises the necessity of the agency of the Holy Spirit — "No man can come unto Me," etc.

1. We come by prayer: "Hence," says Paul, "let us come boldly to the throne of grace."

2. By faith. "Without faith it is impossible to please God," etc.

(1)  It regards His Divinity.

(2)  His humanity.

(3)  That He is the appointed medium of approach — "I am the way, the truth, and the life."

3. With humility on account of our sin.

4. Contrition. Not sorrow merely for its consequences, but from a view of its nature, and the Being against whom it is committed. "That godly sorrow which worketh repentance to salvation," etc.

IV. THE CERTAINTY OF ACCEPTANCE. "I will in no wise cast out."

1. From the promises and invitations of Scripture. "And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come." " Ho, every one that thirsteth." "Come unto Me, all ye that labour." "Wherefore, He also is able to save to the uttermost." "As I live, saith the Lord, I have no pleasure." "Not willing that any should perish," etc.

2. From the examples of the Scripture. There stands a Manasseh, a Magdalen, St. Luke, a Thief on the Cross, and a Saul of Tarsus. Go to heaven, and ask if Jesus was willing to receive them? The question shall give a fresh impulse to the song, while they swell the strains, and cry, "He loved me, and gave Himself for me." Go to the regions of darkness, and ask of them, Is one there that applied to Him? and, while anguish swells their bosoms, they will answer, No; we despised and rejected Him, and would not have Him to reign over us. Go to the north, east, west, and south, and ask believers whether Jesus did not receive them graciously. They will all give their testimony — While a great way off, He ran and met me, and fell upon my neck and kissed me. Conclusion: address to those already come — those coming — and those at a distance.

(The Pulpit.)

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KJV: All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

WEB: All those who the Father gives me will come to me. Him who comes to me I will in no way throw out.