of the human race Who can calculate the benefits
accruing from such a change ?]
3. To himself also —
[Who ever laboured for God without receiving in his own soul a rich reward^?" " Who ever watered others, and was not himself watered by the Lord •^?" The very graces which a man exercises, in winning souls to God, diffuse a sweet serenity, a holy joy, over the whole man, and assimilate him to his Lord and Saviour, and render him meet for the inheritance that is reserved for him. I may add also, his very labour augments for him the weight of glory that is reserved for him in heaven : for God has said, in reference to this very thing, that " every man shall receive according to his own labour'^;" and that "they who turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars, for ever and ever^."
Is not he " wise," then, who engages in such a work as this?]
In addition to all this I must say, III. The end he accomphshes is most glorious —
[This is the end which God the Father had in view, when he delegated to his Son the office of redeeming man — — - — This was the end for which our adorable Saviour " left the bosom of the Father," and assumed into union with himself our fallen nature, and led a life of sorrow upon earth, and at last died for us upon the cross. To this he looked forward, as *' the joy that was set before him, for the which he endured the cross and despised the shame ^. " And when he beholds this as the fruit of his sufferings, he is altogether " satisfied with
the travail of his soul ^ " The Holy Spirit also regards
this as the end for which he performs his part in the economy of redemption. For what does he " strive with rebellious man ^ ? " For what end does he enlighten, quicken, sanctify the souls of men, or refresh and invigorate them with his heavenly consolations ? All of this is to " glorify Christ '," in the salvation of man. In truth, it is in this work that every person of the Godhead will be glorified to all eternity. What is it that illustrates in harmonious union all the perfections of
the Deity? What is it that is the one subject of praise
and adoration amongst all the heavenly hosts ? Is not this the song of all that have been redeemed? " To him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests imto our God, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever ^." Even the angels, that never sinned, add
1' Ps. xix. 11. <■ ver. 25. ^ 1 Cor. iii. 8.
<= Dan. xii. .3. f Heb. xii. 2. s Isai. liii. 11.
" Gen. vi. 3. i John xvi. 14. " Rev. i. 5, 6.