scope for exercise till man had fallen, and was redeemed by the blood of God's only-begotten Son. Can we wonder that the angels, on the first discovery of this work of mercy, burst forth into songs which they had never known before : " Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will towards men11!" In truth, this is the one great theme of praise and adoration in heaven : and all who see the subject realized on earth, must, if they have any love to God, rejoice that persons are raised up, to give him the glory due unto his name.]
3. For the advantages that may be expected from it to the Church of God —
[The conversion of St. Paul, what a benefit was it to the whole world ! What a benefit will it be to millions through all eternity ! And, though none of us can bear any comparison with him, will any one pretend to estimate the good which the very least amongst us may be the means of effecting in the world ? The work of a minister does not cease with his per- sonal ministrations ; but is ramified through a whole country, and augmented through all succeeding ages. And the poorest person, by a word spoken, or by his life and conversation, may, like Naaman's maid, be the means of converting one, whose influence may extend through a whole kingdom. Every addition therefore to the Church of God, is a ground of joy, and should call forth the devoutest thanksgivings from all to whom the tidings of it are made known.]
Address —
1. Those who have never yet embraced the Gospel —
[Never has any one yet had occasion to glorify God for you. On the contrary, there has been reason to weep over
you incessantly, even to the present hour You may
not have been a persecutor of the Church ; but you have been an enemy of God and his Christ from your youth up: for " the carnal mind is enmity with God, and is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." You, therefore, must be converted as much as he. It is not needful that you should be converted in the same ivay as he, or in the same sudden manner ; but converted }ou must be, or perish1. You must believe as he did ; and embrace that very Gospel which he preached. O, beg of " God to count you worthy of this calling, and to fulfil in you all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power; that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and of the Lord Jesus ChristV]
11 Luke ii. 14. i Matt, xviii. 3. k 2 Thess. i. 11, 12.