1. a Great Salvation

The first of these wonderful characteristics we find in Hebrews. “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him" (Heb. 2:3). The Lord Himself was the One who first unfolded the Gospel. He said, —" God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved "(John 3:16, 17). “I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved" (John 10:9). Jesus began to witness of this salvation, now the Holy Ghost is the witness; and I tell you, as Christ's ambassador, that you can know it.
But first, there is this question: How shall you escape if you neglect it? What is the characteristic here? It is a great salvation; a little salvation never could have saved me. Yes, friend, it needs a great salvation to save either you or me. It is a great salvation to lift a sinner up from the depths of sin into the highest heights of glory. You may have thought little of it for many a long day. Have you not neglected it? “Well, I can-not say I am saved." Then you are not saved. But salvation is at your door,—salvation from hell, and which would bring you into God's presence, cleansed and justified; and you have neglected it, if you have not taken it.
If I were go to your house one day and see a letter lying in the letter-boy, and say, " See, there is a letter for you from a great friend of yours," would you say, " Oh, I know it is there, I shall read it by-and-by "? Should I go again, weeks after, and see it still there, all covered with dust now, would you still say, "Oh, I know, I mean to read it some day"? You know well that you would not treat your friend like that, yet that is how you treat God's salvation. How will you escape, sinner? God sent this salvation, my dear reader, and you have never thought of it. "Oh," you say, "I go to church regularly.” But that is not salvation; if there were no churches to go to, what would you do then? “Then I should not go." Ah you see you do not care a bit about it. Better bow down before God now, and own that you have neglected the salvation of your precious soul up till this present moment.
Though it was the wondrous love of Christ that led Him to the cross, and though you have known it long, it has never led you to His feet, nor broken your heart till now. You cannot deny that it is a great salvation to be saved from the blackness of darkness, and from hell, where your conscience will lash you forever. Is it not a great salvation to be brought back to God, washed, cleansed, and accepted in the Man at His right hand? Oh it is a great salvation less there is not. You either stand in Christ, in all His acceptance, or you do not.
But all this great salvation you speak of, who may have it? you ask. Turn to Jude 3 and you will get your question answered: "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation," &c. There you see it is