as we sinners go to Christ who came to redeem sinners, so the lost sheep comes to its shepherd, the lost coin is found, the prodigal son returns to his father, at which the angels in heaven rejoice, and the more we determine to unite ourselves with Christ by willing obedience, the more we shall find that those things which pleased our fleshly selfishness become now a heavy burden, which causes us to turn toward the door of repentance with suppliant kneeling until the wounded conscience is healed and we find rest for our souls, which rest we shall find with Christ if we go to Him.
As I am writing of coming to Christ, if the question should be asked me, whether we can do this of our own strength, I answer, No. We cannot do it of our own strength, but this does not excuse us, for it depends upon our willingness. The Lord Jesus expresses his willingness for Jerusalem; the words are given in Matth. xxiii, 37: “How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!”
If we will not be chastised by the healing grace of God, turning from ungodly conduct and worldly desires, it is our own fault that the Lord Jesus cannot take us under His wings of grace, however gladly He would do it. Natural born little ones can do nothing for their own cleansing, nor clothe themselves, nor eat and drink, nor protect themselves from harm. For all this they have no power within themselves. What they require they indicate by crying. This crying touches the mother's heart, she
