THE FREE GIFT by James Ussher

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 21, 1892

THE FREE GIFT.

By James Ussher

WHAT encouragement there is to come for pardon to a throne of grace. Whatever thy state may be, thou needest not hold off. Though thy sins be as scarlet, if thou come to Christ, they shall be made "white as wool." The greatest of sinners is invited. Can any sin be so great as to overtop the value of Christ's blood? Oh, there is not so much vileness and wretchedness in the sinful heart of man as there is grace, and goodness, and virtue in Christ. There is no disease so bad that he cannot cure. Let me be as bad as I can be, there is no reason out of the word of God why I should not come to Christ for salvation. He puts none back. His proclamation is: "Ho, everyone 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."

"Whosoever will, let him come." What wouldst thou have more? The invitation cannot be plainer. If, then, thou art not saved, it is plain thou hast no wish for salvation; for if thou hast a will, thou hast a warrant. Say not, "I would come if I had so much humiliation and so much faith," for that were to make a bargain with Christ. If God were to say, "You must love me, and I will pardon you," that were an exchange, not a free gift. Away with such a thought! "Whosoever will, let him come."—Archbishop Usher.