Some cannot hear exhortations to duty, whether addressed to saints or sinners: they sound so legal in their ears, they are quite surfeiting to them. But why? Truly they have become "wise above what is written:" they proclaim their folly in condemning the conduct of Christ, and his Spirit in the prophets and apostles. They have most need of exhortations who see least cause for them: "be not high-minded, but fear." A Chinese philosopher asserted that a man had three ears, one different from those two which are seen; this was counted a great absurdity; but it holds true in a spiritual sense, for naturally we have ears but hear not: "the hearing ear the Lord hath made." Prov. 20:12. This Christ calls for.
"Incline your ear" –like sentenced rebels and condemned malefactors, be all ear to a sound of mercy and a proclamation of a reprieve from me: though your hearts are bowed down under a sense of your lusts and corruptions, your consciences burdened with guilt, your minds pained with fears, and your spirits dejected with sorrows; yet listen not to the suggestions of Satan, the intimations of carnal reason, or the surmises of your legal spirits; but turn away your ear from all to me. O, it is precious living, thus to hear the voice of Christ! But this call from Christ carries conviction with it that we do not enough incline our ear to him; therefore we are not always happy in him.
Sweet invitation! "Come unto me." "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever." Heb. 13:8. His love is the same; his words are the very same to poor sinners, whether he speaks by his prophets, or by himself in flesh: his loving heart proclaims, "come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28. Come, under all your load of guilt, weight of dejection, and burden of sorrow; Christ gives us to feel all this, that we may see our want of him, come to him, and enjoy fellowship with him. Never misconstrue your soul-burdens and spiritual distress as evidences against you; they are love-tokens from Him who says, "Hear, and your souls shall live;" not barely live, but enjoy the vigor of life, the comforts of life, and bring forth abundantly the fruits of spiritual life. All this is by hearing the voice of Christ, believing the love of Christ, and living upon the fullness of Christ. See then "that ye refuse not him who speaketh from heaven." Heb. 12:25