Verse 4. Christ offers Himself as a Saviour to all the human race. +I. The most awakening truth in all the Bible.+ It is commonly thought that preaching the holy law is the most awakening truth in the Bible, and, indeed, I believe this is the most ordinary means which God makes use of. And yet to me there is something far more awakening in the sight of a Divine Saviour freely offering Himself to every one of the human race. . . . Does it not show that all men are lost--that a dreadful hell is before them? Would the Saviour call so loud and so long if there was no hell? +II. The most comforting truth in the Bible.+ If there were no other text in the whole Bible to encourage sinners to come freely to Christ, this one alone might persuade them. Christ speaks to the human race. Instead of writing down every name He puts all together in one word, which includes every man, woman, and child. +III. The most condemning truth in all the Bible.+ If Christ be freely offered to all men, then it is plain that those who live and die without accepting Christ shall meet with the doom of those who refuse the Son of God.--_McCheyne._ They are called to repentance, they are called to the remission of their sins; they may and must repent, and they, by repentance, are sure of pardon for all their sins. The good angels have not sinned, the bad angels cannot repent; it is _man_ that hath done the one, it is _man_ that must do the other.--_Jermin._ "O men." Some render it, "O ye eminent men," (see Critical Notes), whether for greatness of birth, wealth, or learning. But "the world by wisdom knows not God" (1 Cor. i. 21); and "not many wise men, not many mighty, not many noble, are called" (verse 26). And yet they shall not want for calling, if that would do it. But all to little purpose, for most part. They that lay their heads upon down pillows cannot so easily hear noises. "The sons of men," _i.e.,_ to the meaner sorts of people. These, usually, like little fishes, bite more than bigger. "The poor are gospelised," saith our Saviour. Smyrna was the poorest, but the best of the seven churches.--_Trapp._