shall now be magnified towards us. If only our souls be will- ing to receive Christ, we are authorized to say, " This is the day" Nay, more ; the very thing which was imputed to him as a fault, he will do again, as often as he is invited ; " he will come and be guest with a man that is a sinner"]
2. How happy are they to whose conversion the ordinances are made effectual —
[That very day and hour that the soul is converted unto God " salvation" comes to it: and who can ever justly appre- ciate the import of that word ? To speak of salvation in its full extent, would lead us too far. View it only in its present effects.
How happy was Zaccheus rendered in his own soul ! From that moment his heart was filled with joys to which he had been before an utter stranger. Now he felt that " peace of God which passeth all understanding," that " joy that is
unspeakable and glorified" Many would have envied
him as a rich sinner : but his state was far more enviable when he was a saint, and stripped of half his wealth, or even if he had lost the whole that he possessed.
What a source of happiness also did he now become to all around him! To "his house," as well as to himself, did "sal- vation come :" for who would receive it in his own soul, and not endeavour to communicate it to all connected with him ?
To them also who transacted business with him did
the benefit extend. He would no longer oppress them, as he had formerly done, but act agreeably to the dictates of strict justice. He would sooner lose all his gains, and be reduced to poverty, than enrich himself by extortion. And what a comfort arose to the poor ! These had derived but little good hitherto from his opulence : but henceforth they were sure to find him the kindest friend. At one single gift, the half of his property was consecrated to their relief; and doubtless they would, together with pecuniary aid, receive from him also the benefit of his advice.
Behold, then, what happiness resulted from this one instance of conversion ! Doubtless, the angels in heaven rejoiced at it: and well may every such change be a ground of praise and thanksgiving to all who behold it. Let proud Pharisees " murmur," if they will : but let us bless God for every such communication of his grace, and pray that such converts may be multiplied throughout the world.]