The Stone and the Chip

“A great deal of fire falleth upon a sto?ze and it burneth not, but a dry chip soo?i takethfireT According to our condition we are affected by the fire of the gospel. Hearts of stone are not kindled by the most vehement preaching of the word, nor will they ever be till grace works a change in their nature. The same sermons which are powerless with them are, through divine grace, most potent with souls prepared of the Lord to feel the flame. The failures of ministers are often traceable to the sinful state of their hearers — what is a man to do who labours to kindle a fire with stones? Must he not labour in vain? He may blow as long as he pleases, and burn his heart out with fervour, and yet his hearers’ hearts will not catch the flame; and he may even die in very anguish; but so long as the natural mind remains what it is he cannot effect his purpose.

Lord, I thank thee not only for the heavenly fire but for the power to be affected by it. It is thy grace which makes me capable of grace, and unto thee be all the praise.