Were no sinners converted and saved, all that Christ did, in the character of Mediator to open a way for this, would have been in vain, and therefore, God would not have been glorified. Had God made the heavens and earth, and formed no creature to behold and enjoy them, they would have been in vain. Here could have been no display of God, because there would be none to behold it. So in redemption, the whole world would have been useless without the conversion of sinners; like an elegant building without an inhabitant, or spectator to admire it. But this building of God has inhabitants; it has spectators who admire it. These inhabitants are converted sinners, called the church of God, the family of God. It is in the church, as in a glass, that the glory of God in redemption is And therefore by the conversion of sinners, by which the church is continued and built up, God glorifies himself, or displays his perfections. On this account the conversion of sinners gives occasion for great joy. It is a most desirable thing, that the glorious perfections of God should be manifested; and those are the most desirable events, which exhibit the divine character in the clearest and most amiable light. As the conversion of sinners exhibits a most striking manifestation of the divine perfections, so it is a very joyful event.

seen.

2. God is glorified in this world in exact proportion to the increase of true religion. He is no further honoured by creatures, than they love, reverence and obey him. They who do not love God, do not obey him; for the law is fulfilled in love. All unconverted

men are destitute of the love of God. They neither serve, nor glorify him. All the honour therefore, which God receives from this world, is from those, who are truly converted from sin to holiness. No man takes one step in the way of duty, or in the way to heaven, before he is converted. Then the prodigal returns to his father. Then he begins to love and obey him. Before this, he was a wanderer, going astray in his own delusions. When the prodigal returned, what joy filled his father's house? "It was meet" said the father, "that we should rejoice and be merry, for this my son was lost, and is found; was dead, and is alive again." Before this he dishonoured his father. His conduct, and probably his conversation were a reproach to his good father. He preferred the husks on which he fed, to the full table of his father; and the company of harlots, before the society of his father's family. But when he returned, confessing his sin, and seeking a humble place in his father's family, he honoured his father. The church is the temple of God's glory. God is glorified in his saints, and admired by all them that believe. And they only among men glorify God, by acknowledging his authority over them, and in their hearts and conduct, giving him his place. Such practically acknowledge, that God is worthy of all love, honour and respect, by loving him supremely; and mourning before him for their imperfections. How joyful then is the conversion of sinners, by which they are brought to do this?

3. Not only is great glory brought to God, by the conversion and obedience of sinners, but great good is secured to themselves. What is this good? Who can describe it? "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." By conversion, a foundation is laid for increasing and endless happiness. The salvation of one sinner is an object of inconceivable magnitude and importance, because it implies deliverance from endless ruin, and the actual enjoyment of endless felicity and glory. But this evil can be avoided, and this good obtained, only by conversion from sin unto God, through Christ. For except a man be converted and become as a little child, he shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.

As the conversion of the sinner lays an actual and sure foundation for him to inherit eternal life; and is indeed the beginning of eternal life in the soul; so it is the earnest, the pledge of the future inheritance of the saints. Therefore the conversion of the sinner is as joyful as his salvation.

4. The conversion of sinners is a joyful event, because, by this the works of the devil are destroyed. The introduction of sin into this world is the work of the devil. "For this cause was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." "He that committeth sin is of the devil." It is sin which disposes mankind to listen to Satan in his suggestions, and to imitate him in his attempts to dishonour God. It is this that constitutes them his children.

This spirit of opposition to God, and his law, Satanı labours, by all possible means to cherish and diffuse among his subjects. This is his grand end and business in this world. But in conversion, sin receives a deadly wound; its power is broken; and Satan looses his influence; the captive is rescued from his hand, and he is disappointed in all his attempts to destroy the soul. In this way his wicked designs become the occasion of advancing the divine glory, which is the chief object he has ever tried to prevent. In the conversion of sinners, Satan is completely disappointed of his ends in tempting them to sin; sinners are saved and God is glorified. Satan intended to dishonour God, by leading men into sin. He intended to fix an indelible blot on the divine character. abolish sin would not destroy the works of the devil, unless the sin and misery, which he has occasioned, be turned to the glory of God. For were we to suppose, that, at any period in eternity, sin and misery were to be totally abolished, yet Satan would have cause to triumph, on account of the sin and misery which he had occasioned, unless they were made to subserve the divine glory. When this is done, Satan is defeated; his head is bruised; his works are destroyed.

Merely to

5. The conversion of sinners is a joyful event, because Jesus Christ receives the fruits of his sufferings and death. It was promised to Christ, that if he would make his soul an offering for sin, he should see his seed; he should prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord should prosper in his hand; that he should see of the travail of his soul, in such a degree,

that his benevolent heart should be satisfied. This was the joy which was set before him, for which he endured the cross and despised the shame. And every converted soul is a part of this fruit of Christ's sufferings. In them Christ's glory, as Mediator is seen; for his object, was to redeem them from sin and ruin; and when sinners are converted, they become monuments of the wisdom, power and efficacy of his grace. These are the images which reflect his glory. It is greatly to the honour of Christ, that his death is productive of such wonderful effects as the turning of sinners to God. And the fruits of the Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, appearing in those who were the servants of sin, are greatly to the glory of divine grace. It is greatly to the praise and honour of Christ, that his spirit should be exemplified in those hearts, which had been the abode of sin. This displays the excellent tendency, and blessed effects of divine grace. Jesus Christ would have no honour as Mediator without a converted, redeemed people. Indeed his appoint ment to this office, and his sufferings and death would be of no use without this. All the honour Christ receives, as Mediator, arises from the conversion of sinWhat a joyful event then is the conversion of

ners. sinners!

IMPROVEMENT.

1. Learn why the divine attention has, in all ages, been fixed on the church. The true church is composed of converted sinners. God has chosen the church, as the place where his perfections should, the