“This he gives you,

’Tis his Spirit’s rising beam.”

But you say, “I must bring some merits.” Hark to the blood that speaks! It says, “Sinner, I am full of merit: why bring thy merits here?” “Ah! but,” thou sayest “I have too much sin.” Hark to the blood: as it falls, it cries, “Of many offences unto justification of life.” “Ah! but,” thou sayest, “I know I am too guilty.” Hark to the blood! “Though your sins be as scarlet I will make them as wool; though they be red like crimson they shall be whiter than snow.” “Nay,” says one, “but I have such a poor desire, I have such a little faith.” Hark to the blood! “The bruised reed I will not break, and smoking flax I will not quench.” “Nay, but,” thou sayest, “I know he will cast me out, if I do come.” Hark to the blood! “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me, and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” “Nay, but,” sayest thou, “I know I have so many sins that I cannot be forgiven.” Now, hear the blood once more, and I have done. “The blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” That is the blood’s testimony, and its testimony to thee. “There are three that bear witness on earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood;” and behold the blood’s witness is-“The blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” Come, poor sinner, cast thyself simply on that truth. Away with your good works and all your trustings! Lie simply flat on that sweet word of Christ. Trust his blood; and if thou canst put thy trust alone in Jesus, in his sprinkled blood, it shall speak in thy conscience better things than that of Abel.

I am afraid there are many that do not know what we mean by believing. Good Dr. Chalmers once visiting a poor old woman, told her to believe in Christ, and she said, “But that is just the thing I do not know what you mean by.” So Dr. Chalmers said, “Trust Christ.” Now, that is just the meaning of believing. Trust him with your soul; trust him with your sins; trust him with the future; trust him with the past; trust him with everything. Say,

“A guilty, weak, and worthless worm,

On Christ’s kind arms I fall;

Be thou my strength and righteousness,

My Jesus and my all.”

May the Lord now give you his blessing; for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.