Coming to Christ
QUESTION. How must I be qualified before I shall dare to believe in Christ?
ANSWER. Come, sensible of thy sins and of the wrath of God due unto them, for thus thou art bid to come Matt. 11:28.
QUESTION. Did ever any come thus to Christ?
ANSWER. David came thus, Paul and the jailer came thus; also Christ’s murderers came thus. Psa. 51:1-3; Acts 9:6; 16:30, 31; 2:37.
QUESTION. But doth it not seem most reasonable that we should first mend and be good?
ANSWER. The whole have no need of the physician, but those that are sick; Christ came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
QUESTION. But is it not the best way, if one can, to mend first?
ANSWER. This is just as if a sick man should say, “Is it not best for me to be well before I go to the physician?” or as if a wounded man should say, “When I am cured I will lay on the plaster.”
QUESTION. But when a poor creature sees its vileness, it is afraid to come to Christ, is it not?
ANSWER. Yes, but without ground; for he has said, “Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not;” and “to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” Isa. 35:4; 66:2.
QUESTION. What encouragement can be given us thus to come?
ANSWER. The prodigal came thus, and his father received him, and fell upon his neck and kissed him. Thus Christ received the Colossians, and consequently all that are saved. Luke 15; Col. 2:13.
QUESTION. Will you give me one more encouragement?
ANSWER. The promises are so worded, that they that are scarlet sinners, crimson sinners, blasphemous sinners, have encouragement to come to him with hopes of life. Isa. 1: 18; Mark 3:28; John 6:36; Luke 24:47; Acts 13:36