Now, too, he begins to live unto his God, and by every pos- sible means to exalt his glory in the world, acknowledging him in all things, serving him in all things, glorifying him in all things. Is there a man that is in any respect sensible of his obligations to God, and not desirous that such converts should be multiplied? Did David " shed rivers of tears for those who kept not God's law ;" and shall not we weep and pray that such persons may be converted to God, and made monuments of his saving grace ? But conceive of this whole world, that is in rebellion against God, converted thus, and God's will done on earth as it is done in heaven : and shall this be to us no object of desire? Verily, we should take no rest to ourselves, nor give any rest to God, till he accomplish this blessed workq, and till " all the kingdoms of the world become the kingdom of his Christ r."]
3. The happiness that will arise to the whole world —
[Every soul that is converted to God becomes " a light" to those around him; and as " salt," to keep, as it were, from utter putrefaction the neighbourhood in which he dwells. In proportion, then, as these are multiplied, the very world itself assumes a different aspect ; instead of the brier there grows up the fir-tree, and " instead of the thorn there grows up the myrtle-tree ;" till, at last, " the whole wilderness shall blossom as the rose," and this " desert become as the garden of the Lord." I need not say more. The wish of Moses is, me- thinks, the wish of every one amongst you ; and you are all saying with David, " Blessed be God's glorious name for ever : and let the whole earth be filled with his glory : Amen and Amens."]
You will ask, then, What shall we do to accelerate this glorious event ?
[God works by means. He did so in the apostolic age : and he will do so still : and if we have any love either for God or man, we should use all the means within our power for the increase of the Church and the salvation of the world. Yet may we learn a very important lesson from the conduct of Moses, in the appointment of persons to labour with him. He had sustained the burthen, himself alone, and doubtless thought that he was rendering an acceptable service both to God and man. But his father-in-law said to him, and said with truth, " The thing that thou doest is not good. Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and the people that is with
<J Isai. lxii. 6, 7. r Rev. ii. 15. s Ps. lxxii. 19.