not ask that, he must use the
Word as it is given him, whether his hearers like it or whether they do
not.

There was at one time at Coimbra two famous preachers, and all the town
ran to hear them; but some thought A. was the best preacher, and some
thought that B. was the best. It was discussed among the professors of
the University, and then it was found that they were divided--some
liked A., and others preferred B.; then an old professor spoke, "I will
tell you what I think. I have heard them both, and have formed my
opinion. When I have listened to a sermon by A., I come away highly
pleased with the preacher; when I come away from a sermon by B., I am
heartily disgusted with myself." Then you see which was the true
preacher. A. sought his own glory and to show his talent, B. only
considered the souls of those he was speaking to.

And now I have said what a preacher ought to speak, and also how he
ought to act. I do not think it is so easy a matter, if he be a
faithful preacher.

II. Now then I turn to you, the hearers. Be ye not hearers of the
Word, but doers. The word preached you will not profit unless you take
hold of it.

One day Agilmund, King of the Lombards, was riding past a river. At
that time it was customary for heathen mothers to drown those of their
children whom they did not care to rear. He saw floating down the
rapid stream a number of little crying babes in baskets in which they
had been cast in. The king's heart was touched, and he went to the
edge of the river where there was a pool and an eddy, and he knelt down
and held out his spear to the children; then one of them extended his
little hands and clasped hold of the spear, and clung to it, and the
king very gently and carefully drew the spear to him with the little
fellow holding tight to it. But all the other babes merely cried and
sank into the water. Then he carried home the child in his arms,
adopted him as his son, and made him his heir to the kingdom.

Now all the preacher can do for you, swimming down the great river of
time, threatened with death, is to hold out the Word to you. He cannot
save you. He cannot do more for you than that. You must lay hold and
cling tight to the Word.

But why do I say the preacher? It is Jesus Christ Himself who really
extends the Word to you, and He will save you if you hold fast to it,
and bring you through the waters, and land you in His country, and
exalt you to His kingdom.