thing, a word from him reclaims us. Wherever he calls, we go : whatever he forbids, we shun : whatever he commands, we do. The temptations which once alhu'ed us, have now in a great measure lost their power ; — the terrors that alarmed us, their influence. What wilt thou have me to do ? is now our one inquiry : and, having ascertained that, we are satisfied ; nor can all the powers of earth and hell divert us from our purpose to obey his will.]
Such is the change which takes place in conversion. We say not that it is perfected in the first moment ; nor that it is ever so perfect, but that it admits of in- crease. In respect of parts, a babe is perfect as a man ; though every part admits of growth. So it is in the new man. All these things are found in him, though imperfect as to their degree. Contemplate then this change,
1 . For the satisfying of your own minds —
[We cannot conceive of any figure better calculated to illustrate the conversion of a soul, than this. The state of a wandering sheep is known to all : the poor rustic that attends the sheep has as perfect an idea of its wants and dangers, as the most enlightened philosopher can have ; and can appre- hend as well the comparative felicity of those who are within the fold, watched over, and provided for, by a tender and faithful shepherd. Nor is there any difficulty in transferring these ideas to the state of a soul before, and after, its conver- sion. Consider then whether you are conscious of having experienced such a change ? I will admit indeed that there are some who are sanctified, as it vrere, from the womb, and whose transition from a natural to a spiritual state is not so distinctly marked. But these are very few : and in them the image of a sheep obedient to its shepherd's voice, is as just, as in any other person whatever. The great mass of mankind have been far off from God ; and they, when converted, are brought nigh unto him, as their Owner, their Provider, their Protector, their Governor, under all which characters they look unto him, and devote themselves to him, and expect every thing from him. I pray you. Brethren, see whether it be thus with you : for, if you are Christians indeed, " you were as sheep going astray ; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."]
2. For the inflaming of your gratitude to the Lord Jesus Christ —
[If you have been brought home to the fold of Christ, need I ask, whence this change arose ? You will know full
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well that it did not originate wnth you, nor was carried into effect by any power of your own. The silly sheep would as soon return by its own wisdom to the fold it has deserted, as you would accomplish such a change in yourselves. It was the Lord Jesus Christ who sought you out, and apprehended you, and brought you home on his shoulders rejoicing: and if he had not eftected it all for you and in you, you would have been roving from him to your latest hour, and would have perished in your sins. Be thankful to him then : adore him for the grace that has so distinguished you. And, whilst you give him glory for having so made you to differ from others and from your former selves, let his mercy constrain you to surrender up yourselves to him wholly, and without reserve.]
3. To excite your compassion towards a perishing world —
[Were you to see a straying sheep beset with dogs who were tearing it to pieces, who amongst you would not com- passionate its wretched condition ? Yet is this but a very faint image of the world around you ; and not of the Heathen world only, but of Christians also. We see not indeed the fate prepared for them : we see not how they are already, as it were, in the jaws of the roaring Hon, whose prey they will be to all eternity. But this is not the less true, because we do not see it. It is their real state ; and soon shall we see it with our bodily eyes. Our blessed Lord, " when he saw the multitudes around him," (of persons nominally the Lord's people,) " he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd." Do ye then consider the deplorable condition of all around you, and use all possible