From all that hath been said, it appears that the conversion of sinners is a very important and desirable object; that they may escape the wrath to come, and enjoy that happiness which the world can neither give nor take away. "Believing," says Peter, "we rejoice with joy unspeak able and full of glory." It is very important to families, and to society at large, on account of their piety, their example, and their prayers, How amiable and happy was the family of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. How happy would your families be, if you and yours were under the influence of real religion! All would be love and peace. Yet there are some heads of families, who in times of revival of religion speak evil of the things they know not, and throw stumblingblocks in the way of those under their care, who anxiously inquire what they shall do to be saved. Be not offended, if I caution you in the most solemn manner, not to discourage those persons who are anxious to become Christians, or to know what experimental religion is. If you will not enter heaven yourselves, throw no difficulties in the way of your children or domestics. Remember for all these things God will bring you into judgment. Should you not rather rejoice to see them inquiring the way to eternal life? thing is needful, and Mary hath chosen that good part, that shall not be taken away from her."

"One

The conversion of sinners is one great object of the gospel ministry, and much to be desired, because the Redeemer's kingdom is thereby enlarged; than which nothing is more pleasing to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. It is their daily prayer that his kingdom may come in all its glory and extent.

I add once more, that the conversion of sinners is a very desirable object, because God is thereby glorified.

It is taken for granted, that Jehovah, in all his works and ways, had in view the greatest possible good; and that the greatest possible good is the manifestation of his own glory. “He hath made all things for himself." The salvation of sinners, except so far as it tends to glorify God, is a subordinate object in the view of all holy beings; whose supreme desire is, that God in all things may be glorified.

This is emphatically the case in the plan of salvation, which was so adjusted by the infinite God in eternity, that he will have all the glory forever.

Here mercy and truth are met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other. The ministration of death was glorious, but the ministration of the Spirit is rather glorious. Every perfection of the divine nature shines in this way far superior to every other method, in which God reveals himself to men. Paul therefore observes, that he who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our heart, to give us the light of the knowledge of his glory in the face of Jesus Christ. His glory or perfections shine in the face or person of Christ, who acted out his character, and was himself the brightness of his glory and the express image of his person. Hence it was that he said to his Father, "I have manifested thy name to the men thou gavest me out of the world." Name is used here as a general term for the nature or perfections of God. To display these was the great end Christ had in view, in his appearance in the flesh.

I have no idea how certain perfections of the Deity could be displayed in any other way: such as mercy, which always respects misery; longsuffering, the patience of God; forgiveness or pardon, his justice. To which may be added, that in the method of salvation, the love of God to man shines, and will forever shine, with the most distinguished glory. "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten' Son, that whosoever believeth in him might not perish, but have everlasting life."

One of the glories of this plan of salvation is, that all sinners who are saved by grace, experience in heart an entire moral change, and unite to give all the glory to God.

What means, it may be asked, are best calculat ed to accomplish this important object? I answer, those that Christ hath appointed in his word. When he gave the commission to his apostles, he commanded them to "preach the gospel to every creature ;" because "it pleased God, by the foolishness of preaching, to save them that believe."

We have several excellent specimens of apostolic preaching in the New Testament. Let us preach as the apostles did. Their sentiments are divine, and the language of the holy scriptures inimitably excellent. It is pure and plain; with which our hearers are well acquainted, in consequence of their constant perusal of the sacred volume.

If we, as ministers of the gospel, wish to winsouls, we must exhibit the divine law in its extent and spirituality; for by the law is the knowledge of sin. We must endeavour to convince the sinner of his entire depravity and guilt, and the alarming condition he is in every moment, as a transgres

sor of the law of God. We must urge, in a plain, convincing and impressive manner, the absolute necessity of personal holiness, without which no man can see the Lord. We must enforce the necessity of good works as fruits of faith, and the best evidence to the world that we have passed from death to life; and lead the people, as much as possible, to realize a judgment to come, and the final states of men.

In a word, let us not shun to declare the whole counsel of God; always remembering, that Paul may plant, and Apollos water, but that God alone can give the increase. And for our encouragement, let us always keep in mind that excellent promise, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

II. It remains that we consider, in what respects "he that winneth souls is wise."

The term 'wise' is often used in the scriptures to denote a man of real religion. In this sense it must be taken here, as suggested before, from its connexion with the first sentence, which describes the righteous; compared with Dan. xii. 3. "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever." That the ministers of the gospel ought to be good men, I believe is universally allowed.

The men we describe, may be said to be wise in the choice of their profession. "If any man desireth the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work."

It is a good work, because it is connected with the display of divine glory, and the salvation of souls. These are two of the most sublime and

interesting subjects that can employ the minds of angels and men. He then who hath made this choice, acts from the wisest and the best of motives, and has the most pleasing prospect of being useful to mankind.

With the talents and education which, in common, fall to the lot of this class of men, they might have made choice of a profession far more lucrative, and probably have ranked with men of fortune. But from a love to God and to the souls of men, they choose rather to forego these prospects and advantages.

I may also remark-It is a good, that is, a pleasant work. To a pious, a benevolent man, what can be so desirable as to preach the everlasting gospel; which opens to the view of the mind such wonderful subjects for holy love and contemplation, and tends to exalt and purify the heart, and to make all happy here and hereafter who believe it. With these views and with these feelings, he is willing to spend and to be spent in the sacred service; especially when he sees that the Lord crowns his ministry with

success,

He is wise in the management of the various parts of ministerial duty. Here much might be said with propriety; but I can only suggest in a few words, that he is wise in the choice of his subjects, the manner of treating them, considering always the state of his flock; in going from his knees to the pulpit, and returning from the pulpit to his knees, to plead with God that success may attend his feeble efforts. If wise, he will address the people in a plain, affectionate and persuasive manner; and make it evident, that