too how the evil angels are exulting over you ; ' There they are ; we have them fast in our chains ; we shall soon have them as partners of our misery ; then how shall we triumph over our God ! Yes ; the Fathers counsels with respect to them will all be frustrated ; the blood of Christ will have been shed in vain; the Spirit's operations will have been successfully re- sisted : though we shall be in hell ourselves, we will enjoy our triumphs even there ; for we shall have robbed man of his happiness, and God of his glory.' O brethren, consider whe- ther ye are willing to afford such a triumph to your bitterest enemy : and beg of Jesus, who is " exalted to give repentance and remission of sins," that he will bestow these blessings upon you.]
2. To the penitent —
[Let others deride or condemn your change, we will con- gratulate you upon ite. The angels would feel no joy at your acquiring a large estate : No ; " if a beggar were elevated from a dunghill to a throne," they would not account it worth one single thought. But if the poorest or vilest pei'son in the uni- verse repent, it fills them with unfeigned joy. They have not so much joy in the very presence of God, but it is capable of being augmented by such a sight as this. Nor is it a day of Pentecost alone that attracts their attention. Even a solitary instance of conversion is sufficient to exhilarate their souls. Go on then, my brethren, sowing in tears ; and you shall ere long, in conjunction with the holy angels, reap a harvest of eternal joy.]
e Ps. cxxvi. 3.