help forward the cause of Christ : and though the same sacri- fices be not required now, the same disposition is ; and every Christian in the universe should be able to say, " I count not even my life dear unto me, so that I may but finish my course with joy," and fulfil my duty to my Lord and Saviour.]
The tidings of the Apostle's conversion were soon spread far and wide ; and the conduct of those who heard of it will shew us, in reference to every other convert, II. What reason there is to glorify God on his behalf —
In many views is the conversion of a sinner a ground of joy and thankfulness :
1. For the benefit accruing to himself —
[He was but lately lying dead in trespasses and sins : now he is quickened to a new and heavenly life. He was " an alien from the commonwealth of Israel, and a stranger to the covenants of promise : he is now a fellow-citizen with the saints and of the household of God." He was a child of Satan, and an heir of wrath : he is now a child of God, and an heir of heaven. Over such an one the angels in heaven rejoice d: yea, over such an one God himself rejoices ; " killing for him the fatted calf, and making merry with hime." To this change of state must be added his change of nature also : and who can contemplate that, and not adopt the language of St. Paul, " We give thanks to God, and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, and for the hope which is laid up for you in heavenf?" It matters not who he be, or in what quarter of the globe he live ; the tidings of this change should draw forth from us the grateful sentiment which was expressed at the conversion of Cornelius ; we should " glorify God, saying, Then hath God to the Gentiles also granted repentance unto lifeg."]
2. For the honour arising to God —
[By none except real converts is God honoured in the world : but by them he is admired, and loved, and served, and glorified. In them, too, do all his glorious perfections shine forth. Who can see a true convert, and not admire the for- bearance, the mercy, the love, the power, that have been exercised towards him. In the works of creation the wisdom and goodness of God are visible : but in the new creation, there is a combination of all those perfections, which had no
d Luke xv. 10. e Luke xv. 32. with Zeph. hi. 17.
f Col.i. 3, 4. b Acts xi. 18.