Salvation without money and without price.
A figure of the spiritual experience of man.
I. CONTRASTED WITH EARTHLY EXPEDIENTS OF SALVATION, These are expensive because:
1. They waste the spiritual nature of man.
2. They increase rather than diminish the evil. How forlorn the poor woman! How great the contrast with the "sleeping" child! Death in life is far worse than the natural death. It is not mourned for as the latter, and has all the added sorrow of disappointment and despair.
3. They keep away from the true Saviour.
II. YET IT MUST BE LEGITIMATELY SOUGHT. The grace of God cannot be stolen. The Saviour knows when a sinner receives his "virtue." There is only one way—the way of faith. The salvation of God is given, not taken by force or stealth; graciously given, with a benediction and a confirming assurance.
III. IT COSTS THE SINNER NOTHING, BUT THE SAVIOUR EVERYTHING.—M.