“WHEN sinners have been awakened to see their guilt, and danger, and are invited to come to Christ and be saved, they frequently make such excuses as these: ‘I cannot believe that the-invitations of the gospel were intended for such sinners: as I am; I am afraid I do not feel aright And that. Christ will not receive me? ‘Suppose a table, set in the street, and loaded with all kinds of food, and that a herald is sent to make proclamation that all who wish may come and partake freely. A poor man comes and stands looking very wishfully at the table, and when he is asked, why he does not eat, replies, ‘I am afraid the invitation is not meant for me; I am not fit.’ Again he is assured that the invitation is intended for all those who are hungry; and that no other qualification is necessary. Still he objects, ‘But I am afraid I am not hungry enough.’ In the same way do sinners deprive themselves, by their own folly, of those blessings which are freely offered them by God.”―Payson.
“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.... Eat ye that which is good, and let your soul Delight itself in fatness.” (Isa. 55:1, 21Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. (Isaiah 55:1‑2).)