The gospel is much clouded by terms, conditions and qualifications. If my doctrine were, “Upon condition that you did so and so, that you believe and repent and mourn and pray and obey and the like—then you shall have the favor of God”—I dare not for my life say that is the gospel. But the gospel I desire to preach to you is, Will you have a Christ to work faith, repentance, love, and all good in you, and to stand between you and the sword of divine wrath?
Here there is no room for you to object that you are not qualified because you are such a hardened, unhumbled, blind and stupid wretch. For the question is not, “Will you remove these evils and then come to Christ?” but, “Will you have a Christ to remove them for you?” It is because you are plagued with these diseases that I call you to come to the Physician that He may heal them. Are you guilty? I offer Him unto you for righteousness. Are you polluted? I offer Him unto you for sanctification. Are you miserable and forlorn? I offer Him as made of God unto you complete redemption. Are you hardhearted? I offer Him in that promise, “I will take away the heart of stone.” Are you content that He break your hard heart? Come, then, and let Him take your hard heart into His hand.