三月十三日

我們為何坐在這裡等死呢？（王下7:3）

親愛的讀者！我們這一本書的主要目的是造就信徒，若你還沒有得救，我們的心真切慕你能作一個得救的人：我們很喜歡說一句能使你蒙福的話。打開你的聖經，念一念這幾個大麻風人的故事，留意他們的地位，也正像你的地位一樣。若你仍株守你所在的地方就必滅亡；若你近到耶穌那裡就不會死。古語說：“不入虎穴，焉得虎子。”而你的情形並算不得是冒大險。若你失望地呆在那裡，當毀滅臨到你的時候無人會憐憫你的；但若你為尋求恩憐而死，如果世上有這種事的話，全世上的人都必同情於你。凡不仰望耶穌的人沒有一個能逃命的，無論如何，你能明白這意思的，那信他的就必得救。既然你所熟識的人都已蒙了恩憐，那麼你為什麼自甘落後呢？尼尼微人說：“也未可知。”他們的行動與這盼望一致，所以試求神的恩憐。毀滅是很可怕的，若有一根草可以抓住，保全已命的天性必會使你伸手去抓的。我們這樣和你不信的心懇切說句實話，我們擔保你，正像主的保證一樣，若你尋求他就必尋見，凡投靠耶穌的，他一個也不丟棄；若你信靠他就不會滅亡，相反地，你所得到的寶物要比麻風人在亞蘭人的宮中所得到的要豐富得多。願聖靈使你立刻大膽前往，那麼你所信的就不虛空。當你自己得救之後，把這好消息也傳給別人。莫緘默，先告訴王家，和他們取得聯繫，再把你所發現的告訴守城門的人和臣僕，然後再把這好消息到處傳揚。願主在今天日落之前就拯救了你。

March 13

"Why sit we here until we die?" --2 Kings 7:3

Dear reader, this little book was mainly intended for the edification of believers, but if you are yet unsaved, our heart yearns over you: and we would fain say a word which may be blessed to you. Open your Bible, and read the story of the lepers, and mark their position, which was much the same as yours. If you remain where you are you must perish; if you go to Jesus you can but die. "Nothing venture, nothing win," is the old proverb, and in your case the venture is no great one. If you sit still in sullen despair, no one can pity you when your ruin comes; but if you die with mercy sought, if such a thing were possible, you would be the object of universal sympathy. None escape who refuse to look to Jesus; but you know that, at any rate, some are saved who believe in Him, for certain of your own acquaintances have received mercy: then why not you? The Ninevites said, "Who can tell?" Act upon the same hope, and try the Lord's mercy. To perish is so awful, that if there were but a straw to catch at, the instinct of self-preservation should lead you to stretch out your hand. We have thus been talking to you on your own unbelieving ground, we would now assure you, as from the Lord, that if you seek Him He will be found of you. Jesus casts out none who come unto Him. You shall not perish if you trust Him; on the contrary, you shall find treasure far richer than the poor lepers gathered in Syria's deserted camp. May the Holy Spirit embolden you to go at once, and you shall not believe in vain. When you are saved yourself, publish the good news to others. Hold not your peace; tell the King's household first, and unite with them in fellowship; let the porter of the city, the minister, be informed of your discovery, and then proclaim the good news in every place. The Lord save thee ere the sun goes down this day.