"I am afraid we have emphasized the word `whosoever' without emphasizing the word 'will' because salvation depends on the will. Repentance is an act of the will and not of the emotions.
"It is not sentiment; it is not sanctimoniousness (self-righteousness); it is not a kind of humbug; it is a moral awakening—a turning round from wrong and facing right and saying, 'I own, Oh God, I am guilty and deserve judgment.' Whosoever will, let him—.
"No, if sin beats you, you are responsible. If drink enslaves you, you are responsible. If passion holds you in its grip and robs you of purity and strength and if you are crippled and paralyzed by sin, you consent every time.
"And if you are not a happy, useful Christian at this moment, walking with measured step in the light with God, then it is because you choose darkness and sin. You, by your will, choose the impure, the worldly and the sinful.
"I want you to see that you must choose... and if your ears have been opened and your eyes see your guilty condition, then accept God's so great salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.
"Have you heard His sweet voice saying, 'how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!' Matthew 23:3737O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (Matthew 23:37). 'Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.' John 5:4040And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. (John 5:40). `Whosoever will' may be clean.
"Don't you blame my Lord; don't you blame my Master; don't you blame the blessed Holy Spirit; don't you blame God's ministers; don't you blame the Father, who loves you. God has made such ample provision that the worst, the vilest, the furthest off, the lowest down, may come to him... and there is every reason why you should.
"Don't try to say anything to the contrary. If my words have got your heart for a moment or aroused your conscience, let me say that the conscience may be set free of its guilt. The awful memory of the past may be removed at the foot of the cross this night if you will surrender, if you will submit. If you won't, God Almighty cannot help the catastrophe before you. Hell awaits you.
"Oh, I pray you, I beseech you, let this be the time when angels from the battlements of the skies hear the breaking of your chains, the snapping of your fetters, and the angels shout for you as they see you marching out of the prison house of your sin into the liberty of the people of God. Let it be now.
"Did you say you are a long way off? You can come home if you will. God is not against you. I do not care how vile your life has become. Love only waits to forgive and forget. Oh, that every heart would say, like the prodigal, 'I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee.' Luke 15:1818I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, (Luke 15:18)."