fuse he punishes
them, but he does not send his soldiers to drive them into his
banqueting hall.

II. All that God can do is to invite; but He invites most pressingly,
and holds out every inducement that He possibly could.

God desires all men to be saved, He willeth not the death of a sinner.
"Christ," says S. Paul, "died for all,"--to reconcile all men to God.
He hung on the cross for all, to save all that will come to Him and be
saved--He died "for us men, and our salvation."

The Amalekites attacked the city of Ziklag, and took it, and burned it
with fire, and departed, carrying away with them the two wives of
David, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail, who had been the wife of
Nabal the Carmelite. When David knew this, he fell into great
distress, and he gathered an army and went to the place, and there he
wept "till he had no more power to weep." And he pursued after the
Amalekites with four hundred men, and he fell on them, and the battle
raged four and twenty hours. "He smote them from twilight even unto
the evening of the next day," and he recovered out of their hands his
two wives. Now suppose that one of them, say Abigail, fell into low
spirits, thinking that David did not love her, and would not bring her
into his palace, and show her favour, one would say to her, What is the
meaning of this? Your sad spirits and gloomy doubts are proof of an
unthankful spirit. Look at David. See a clear evidence that you are
wrong. Look! he is covered with dust from the battle, he is so
exhausted that he can scarce breathe. For you he fought, for you he
exposed himself to great risk, for you he conquered. He has redeemed
you out of the power of the enemy. See! he extends to you his hand,
red with his blood shed for you. He holds out his hand to invite you
to follow him, that he may bring you home in safety. Away with these
wicked doubts and this black mistrust!

I may say exactly the same to you. Do you want any token of the love
of Christ? Any assurance of His goodwill towards you? Look at Him!
See what He has done and suffered for you! For you He spent
thirty-three years in struggle, for you He was exposed to the scoffs of
the Jews, for you He was scourged, for you He was crucified. To you He
extends His hand, red with His blood, to beckon you to follow Him, that
where He is there you may be also. He has shown you His love. What
could He have done more? He has promised you Heaven. He has assur