22. “But what need is there (say even some of a milder spirit) of this preaching in _fields_ and _streets_? Are there not _churches enough_ to preach in?” No, my friend, there are not; not for us to preach in. You forget: we are not suffered to preach there; else we should prefer them to any places whatever. “Well, there are ministers enough without _you_.” Ministers _enough_, and churches _enough_; for what? To reclaim all the sinners within the four seas? If there were, they would all be reclaimed. But they are not reclaimed. Therefore it is evident, that there are not _churches enough_. And one plain reason why, notwithstanding all these churches, they are no nearer being reclaimed is this; they never come into a church; perhaps not once in a twelve-month, perhaps not for many years together. Will you say (as I have known some _tender hearted Christians_) “Then it is _their own_ fault; let them die and be damned.” I grant it is _their own_ fault. And so it was _my_ fault and _yours_, when we went astray, like sheep that were lost. Yet the Shepherd of souls sought after us, and went after us into the wilderness. And _oughtest not thou to have compassion on thy fellow-servants, as he had pity on thee_? Ought not we also _to seek_, as far as in us lies, _and to save that which is lost_? * Behold the amazing love of God to the outcasts of men! His tender condescention to their folly! They would regard nothing done _in the usual way_. All this was lost upon them. The _ordinary_ preaching of the word of God, they would not even deign to hear. So the devil made sure of these careless ones. For who should pluck them out of his hand? Then God was moved to jealousy, and went _out of the usual way_ to save the souls which he had made. Then over and above what was ordinarily spoken in his name, in all the houses of God in the land, he commanded a voice to cry in the wilderness, _Prepare ye the way of the Lord. The time is fulfilled. The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Repent ye and believe the gospel._