Every Christian, and especially every minister, will have this work to do. It is a very responsible work. It is a very difficult work.
I. General principles suited to all cases. The directions given will be determined by the views we entertain of the nature of religion.
1. Rationalists endeavor to suppress all concern.
2. Romanists teach men to submit to the church, and practice religious duties and penance.
3. Protestants direct inquirers to come directly to God in the way appointed in the gospel. But this general direction is modified by the peculiar views of those who give it.
1. Some place the essence of religion in submission to God, and hence the general directions to submit.
2. Some place it in the choice of God as a source of happiness, and hence the direction, “Choose God as your portion.”
3. Some again place it in a volition to make the happiness of the universe the end of our being.
4. Others, in the return of the soul to God through Christ and by faith in him. Hence the general direction to “believe.”
This is the proper direction,
(a) Because faith is declared to be the condition of salvation. Believers are saved. Unbelievers are lost.
(b) Because this is the apostolic direction.
(c) Because neither pardon nor sanctification is otherwise to be obtained.
(d) Because Christ is the Alpha and Omega of the gospel.
But what is faith? What is the precise thing to be done? The exercise of this involves immediate conviction of sin.
II. Special directions.
1. As to skeptical doubts.
(a) Do not rely on speculative arguments mainly. Whether in dealing with heathen, philosophers, or errorists or Romanists, the true place of speculative arguments is simply to remove difficulties, to show that the truth is not inconsistent with reason or fact. They are not to be used to prove the truth, i.e., to afford its positive evidence.
(b) But rely upon the exhibition of the truth, and upon pressing it on the conscience.
1. Because the ground of faith is the witness of the Spirit with the truth.
2. Because the truth is self–evidencing.
3. Because arguments are human, while truth is divine.
2. As to Fatalists, who say nothing can be done. They plead the doctrine of election.
1. Here again moral considerations should direct our effort. The intellectual difficulty is not first to be removed.
2. The sinner should be urged to act as he does in other cases.
3. As to those who rely on the excuse of inability, or feel they can do nothing.
1. It is vain to tell men they are able.
2. This is not necessary to produce a sense of guilt.
4. The true method is to admit the fact and fall as the leper at the feet of Jesus.
5. As to those who plead hardness of heart, want of conviction of sin. Show the true place of conviction.
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