Page:The Life and Works of Christopher Dock.djvu/208

196 have reached the years of maturity, consider this yourselves. Christ calls all the weary and heavy laden to Himself, and we are all weary and laden with sin; therefore “to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (James iv, 17.)

Christ invites us so lovingly, but he will not force us; we need for this coming a free obedience. For in no one else is salvation, and no other name under heaven is given us in which to seek salvation, than that of Christ. He is the innocent lamb that bore the sins of the whole world. He is the propitiation for our sins and those of the whole world. He is the bridegroom of our souls who redeemed the lost human race from the power of Satan, and will betroth Himself in all eternity with His redeemed human race. Therefore our betrothal to Christ, our soul's bridegroom, is the great work and desire of our life, the chief thing for us to aim at. Yea, we should desire it more than all that is visible, for He alone of God is made unto us, wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. (I Corinth, i, 30.) There is no other mediator between God and man, than the own Son of God, Christ Jesus. (I Tim. ii, 4, 5, 6.) Through Him we have access to the Father. (Ephes. ii, 17, 18.) And if we, with the prodigal son, look into ourselves and rightly rue our condition from past sins, and in true repentance resolve, with the prodigal son, to return to the Father and say: “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in Thy sight, and am not worthy to be called Thy son; take me as one of Thy hired servants. I submit anew to Thee, and break