A sermon delivered by Rev. Alexander Sturgeon Byrne
in London, Ontario, 18 May 1850

"And they all with one consent began to make excuse." - Luke xiv.18

The excuses of sinners are too many to enumerate; but we would direct your attention to a few of the most usual and important.

I - I have too many worldly possessions.
II - I have many temporal embarrassments.
III - I have ungodly relations and friends.
IV. - The opinions of Christians disagree.
V. - The prefessors of religion are inconsistant.
VI. - Religious restraints are too severe.
VII. - I am too unworthy.
VIII. - I do not feel my need of conversion.

In proclaiming the Gospel of Christ, the messanger of mercy is discouraged by two classes of characters: the profane Infidel and the formal Christian. In the Infidel he has to contest with a variety of ingenious objections to the authenticity and the doctrines of Holy Scripture; and to overpower the subtility of carnal reasoning with the manly force of reasonable and sacred arguments. This can be done with comparative ease. Had we to deal with reason only, truth would soon triumph in the conquest and the salvation of many souls.

In the formal Christian, he meets with other difficulties. Distorted arguments, chased from their "refuge of lies," are exposed and ridiculed to his view; and reason is compelled to acquiesce in the force of reason and Scriptural truth. But still he is unwilling to leave the pleasures of sin, and seek an experimental acquaintance with the pleasures of renewing grace. Argument after argument reflects in its beams upon his understanding in vain. The spiritual banquet of Gospel blessings is spread before him, but it fails to attract his attention. Sabbath after Sabbath, sermon after sermon, either by argument, instruction, or warning, convey the joyous invitation."Come for all things are now ready," Nevertheless, now as formerly, "They all begin with one consent to make excuse."