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him as an enemy? Thus, when the sinner is brought to see his guilt and misery: even though his views be darkened, and his hope disturbed, through ignorance and prejudice; " yet the Redeemer sees of the travail "of his soul," (in Gethsemane and on Calvary,). "and is satisfied." This was no small part of "the "joy set before him," when," he endured the cross " and despised the shame."

Every repenting sinner is a monument of CHRIST's victory over the powers of darkness, and of the efficacy of his atonement, intercession, and grace. Every one is an immortal soul saved from eternal misery and brought into the way of eternal life. Every one is an example of God's mercy in converting an instrument of Satan, active in doing mischief, into a servant of CHRIST, employed in willingly promoting the cause of truth and righteousness on earth. Thus, in all instances of sinners being brought to true repentance, and seeking salvation by CHRIST, an accession is made to the Redeemer's kingdom, and Satan's is proportionably diminished and enfeebled.

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Giving thanks unto the Father-who hath delivered "us from the power of darkness, and translated us "into the kingdom of his dear Son, in whom we "have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of our sins."*

This then was the great object when the plan of salvation was formed; when the Son of God became incarnate; when he bled upon the cross; when, risen and ascended, he sent his apostles to preach the gos.

? Col. i. 12-14.

pel; and when he communicates his Spirit to render it effectual and can he but rejoice, when the great end of all his labours, sufferings, and counsels, is answered?

Would a father, who had spared no labour and expence to reclaim a profligate son; who had retained his paternal affection through a long series of provocations and disappointments; who had persevered for a long course of time, while the case seemed hopeless: would he, I say, not rejoice, when his endea vours were crowned with full success? Surely he could not see the repenting rebel a suppliant at his feet, confessing his crimes with all their aggravations, and most submissively imploring forgiveness and reconciliation, though ready to fear a repulse, without the most lively emotions of satisfaction. It is impossible, but he must inwardly rejoice; unless he, who had the heart of a father while the son was a rebel, could be turned into a monster when his son became a penitent. Prudence indeed might dictate the outward expression of his joy, and that perhaps in a way not quite so pleasing to the suppliant's feelings; but beyond all doubt, they would be directed to the promoting of his permanent advantage.

We learn then from the expression, "Rejoice with "me," that the penitent sinner is sure to find a cordial welcome from him who "came to seek and to "save that which was lost."

All the love of CHRIST to sinners, which has bee before considered; all the means used, and the diving influence of the Holy Spirit communicated, in orde to bring them to a sense of their guilt and danger

and to render them willing to accept of this salvation; are so many demonstrations, that no one, however guilty or enslaved by sin, shall be rejected when thus brought to seek mercy and grace as proposed in the gospel. The prodigal is at length induced to say, "I will go to my father, and say unto him, Father, "I have sinned against heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son:" and will the father now spurn him from him, and leave him at last to perish? No-" He looketh upon men, and "if any say, I have sinned, I have perverted that "which is right, and it profited me not; he will de"liver his soul from going down into the pit, and his "life shall see the light." The good Shepherd has regained his lost sheep; and says to his friends and neighbours," rejoice with me, for I have found my "sheep that was lost.", And if any, like the Pharisees, and the elder brother in the parable, object, and find fault, he will vindicate his own proceedings, and put them to shame and silence.

Certainly this is the view of the subject, which these parables, spoken for that very purpose, are suited to convey. And the general tenour of Scrip ture accords to it. How emphatical the language of GOD by his Prophet concerning Ephraim! "I have

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surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus: "Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a "bullock unaccustomed to the yoke. Turn thou "me, and I shall be turned, for thou art the LORD

my GOD.-Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he a plea"sant child? For since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still. Therefore my bowVOL. II. D D

"els are troubled for him. I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD."*

Indeed, the kindness and condescension of CHRIST, as recorded in the gospel, during his personal ministry, were entirely coincident with these representations. He never despised or frowned on any one who came to him, however mean or vile; but was always accessible and compassionate and in this, as in all other respects, he "hath left us an example, "that we should follow his steps."

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Simon, the Pharisee, disdained "the woman that "was a sinner," when, as a weeping penitent, she washed our LORD'S "feet with tears, and wiped "them with the hairs of her head." But he graciously noticed the evidences of her faith and love: he declared that "her sins, though many, were for

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given." He said to her, "thy faith hath saved "thee, go in peace."

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In like manner, when censured for becoming the guest of Zaccheus the publican; having heard his profession of penitent faith, he declared for his encouragement, "This day is salvation come to this house: "for as much as he also is a son of Abraham. "the Son of man is come to seek and to save that "which was lost."- And even to the thief upon the cross, who confessed his guilt, and said, "LORD, re"member me, when thou comest into thy kingdom; amidst his own agonizing tortures he replied, "rily, I say unto thee, this day shalt thou be wit me in paradise."

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Jer. xxxi. 18-20.

This uniform conduct of our blessed Saviour, towards those who were humbly sensible of their guilt and danger, appeared still more remarkable and instructive, if contrasted with his addresses to the self-sufficient Scribes and Pharisees; in which he uses the strongest language of just severity and authoritative rebuke: "Verily, I say unto you, that the pub"licans and harlots shall enter into the kingdom of "heaven before you."-" Ye serpents, ye genera❝tion of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of "hell?" There is in some men, a sort of indolent easiness of temper, which induces an indiscriminate kindness to persons of all characters, at least as far as words can go but the marked difference of address, which our LORD made use of, in speaking to the selfrighteous, and to the humble penitent, forms such a contrast, that we are sure there must be, in his judg ment, something essentially different in the state of their hearts, which according to the plan of the gospel requires this marked discrimination.

When Saul of Tarsus, being met with in the way to Damascus, became a humble suppliant, the com passionate Saviour whom he had persecuted, takes notice of it to Ananias, "Behold he prayeth." And Ananias, sent expressly to assure him of pardon and peace, and to restore his sight as a pledge of further mercies, accosts this wolf, which had so cruelly destroyed the sheep of CHRIST, with the cordial address, "Brother, Saul, the LORD, even JESUS, "whom thou sawest in the way, hath sent me unto "thee." It is probable that Saul, during his three days' weeping and fasting, in darkness and distress,

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