The Sinner Humbled. Two great truths are necessary to be pressed upon the sinner in order to humble him and bring him to the foot of the cross, and these are the deep corruption of human nature and the sins he has been guilty of, either privately in the sight of God, or publicly in the sight of the world. The depravity and deceitfulness of the heart are to be laid open, and all the dark and lurking holes where sin lies hid – the false reasonings, apologies and excuses by which he deceives himself are to be examined and tried by the light of Scripture. So that, when the abominations of his heart and the guilt of his life are proven against him, this will be the means, by the influences of the blessed Spirit, of bringing down his proud heart. And when the Spirit of God says, “Thou art the man,” the sinner will fall down and yield to the Great Conqueror in the day of His power.
The Saviour Exalted. The law is our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. He is the end of the Law. The law shows us our sin, and when searching doctrines and truths that are terrifying to sinners are preached, the carnal heart will rise in enmity against them. Upon this, the devil strikes in and denies the truth; or, if the doctrine brings conviction, he tells the sinner there is no salvation for such a wretch. It is now the Minister’s business to exalt the Saviour by telling the truth about Him, and nothing but the truth. He is the brightness of His Father’s glory, and the express image of His Person. He is that glorious Person in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, and therefore able to save to the very uttermost. He is able and willing to save, and this is clear from His eternal existence, the glory of His works, and the extent of His power. By showing Christ to the sinner, the sinner knows His Name and will, therefore, trust in Him. The apostles and apostolic men preached Christ, and if we preach anything else we lose our time, for He is the Head Corner-stone.