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When the children of Israel were settled in Canaan, God ordained that they should set apart certain Cities of Refuge, that to these the man-slayer might flee for security. We are told by the rabbis that once in the year, or oftener, the magistrates of the district surveyed the roads which led to these cities: they carefully gathered up all the stones, and took the greatest possible precautions that there should be no stumbling blocks in the way. We hear, moreover, that all along the road there were hand posts with the word "Refuge" written legibly upon them. Now God has prepared a City of Refuge, and the way to it is by faith in Christ. I propose to go along it, and to remove any impediment which Satan may have laid. There is —

I. THE RECOLLECTION OF THE PAST LIFE. But all thy sins, be they never so many, cannot destroy thee if thou dost believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. "The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin." It is not the greatness of the sinner that is the difficulty; it is the hardness of the sinner's heart. Remember, too, that all the while thou dost not believe in Christ, thou art adding to thy sin.

II. CONSCIOUSNESS OF HARDNESS OF HEART AND THE LACK OF WHAT IS THOUGHT TO BE TRUE PENITENCE. But dost thou read that those who have hard hearts are not commanded to believe? The Scripture says, "Whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish," etc. Now, if thou believest, though thy heart be never so hard, thy believing saves thee; and what is more, thy believing shall yet soften thy heart. If thou canst not feel thy need of a Saviour as thou wouldst, remember that when thou hast a Saviour thou wilt soon find out how great was thy need of Him, Many persons find out their needs by receiving the supply. Have you never looked in at a shop window and seen an article, and said, "Why, that is just what I want"?

III. CONSCIOUSNESS OF WEAK OR LITTLE FAITH. Ah, there you are again looking to yourself. It is not the strength of thy faith that saves thee, but its reality. What is more, it is not even the reality of thy faith that saves thee, it is the object of thy faith. A grain of mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds, and yet if thou hast but that quantity of faith, thou art a saved man. Remember the poor woman who touched but the fringe of Christ's garment, and she was made whole. Remember a little child belongs to the human race as much as the greatest giant; and so a babe in grace is as truly a child of God as is Mr. Greatheart, who can fight all the giants on the road.

IV. THE EXISTENCE OF MANY DOUBTS AND FEARS. My answer is, "He that believeth shall be saved," be that faith intermingled with multitudes of doubts and fears. You remember that story of our Saviour in the storm, and the poor disciples were full of fear — "Lord, save us or we perish." Here were doubts. Did Jesus say, O ye of no faith? No; "O ye of little faith." So there may be little faith where there are great doubts. At eventide, even though there is a great deal of darkness, yet there is light. And if thy faith should never come to noonday, if it do but come to twilight, nay, if thy faith is but starlight, nay, candlelight, nay, a spark — if it be but a glow worm spark, thou art saved. Think of John Knox, on his dying bed, troubled about his interest in Christ. If such a man have doubts, dost thou expect to live without them? If Paul himself keeps under his body lest he should be a castaway, how canst thou expect to live without clouds?

V. FEAR OF DEATH. There are many of God's blessed ones who, through fear of death, have been much of their lifetime subject to bondage. And this is accounted for, because God has stamped on nature that law, the love of life and self-preservation. And again, it is natural that you should scarce like to leave behind those that are so dear. But you are testing yourself by a condition in which you are not placed. You don't want dying grace in life, but you will have it when you want it.

VI. THE ABSENCE OF JOY. But remember it is not "he that is joyful shall be saved," but "he that believeth shall be saved." Thy faith will make thee joyful by and by, but it is as powerful to save thee even when it does not make thee rejoice. VII. A GRIEVOUS SENSE OF IMPERFECTION. What, will you not believe in Christ until you are perfect? Then you will never believe in Him. You will not trust the precious Jesus till you have no sins to trust Him with? Then you will never trust Him at all.

(C. H. Spurgeon.)

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KJV: And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

WEB: and brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"