will, but the will of Him that sent me. And this is the Father's. will who hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing; but should raise it up again at the last day."

IV. In conversion to the Lord, there is a real, a great, and visible charge, produced in the heart by divine power, through the word. When it pleased God to call Saul by his grace, he became a new man indeed. He continued to have the same powers and faculties of soul which he had before; but these were renewed and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. His understanding, which before was blinded and incapable of perceiving the beauty of the Saviour, is now enlightened by the Divine Spirit, to be hold the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. The once hated name of Jesus is now dearer to him than life!. in that blessed name, against which he had poured forth torrents of reproach, he now smells a sweet savour! He was indeed " called out of darkness into God's marvellous light." The great light which he saw from Heaven was an emblem of that saving light which was now conveyed into his mind; the conscience, now pacified by the blood of atonement, becomes a faithful monitor; the will bows to the will of his God; and the affections are elevated from things earthly and sensual to things spiritual, heaven. ly, and eternal and as it is a real and a great, so a visible change. Did we see a tyger divested of his ferocious temper, and transformed into the mildness of a lamb, we would see a picture of that wonderful change which divine grace made upon his heart. All the powers of his soul were now devoted to the service of Jesus; and all his members instruments of righteousness unto God. Those hands which had been employed in binding the saints with cords, and hawling them to prison, are now lifted up in prayer to God for blessings upon them. Those feet which ran swiftly to shed the blood of God's saints, now run with equal speed from city to city, and from nation to nation, to proclaim salvation to perishing sinners. Those lips which had often been opened with daring effrontery to blaspheme the Saviour's worthy name, are now employed in commending him to others, as the chief among ten thousands!

In the hearts of all who are turned to the Lord, a similar change is produced. "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature," a new creation hath taken place: he is, as it were, brought into a new world; and perceives every thing around him with new cycs. They are turned from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God. They have obtained new views of God, of the Redeemer, and of the Holy Spirit; of heaven, of hell, of the Bible, of sin, of holiness; - of earthly things, as wonderfully mean and unsatisfying to their soulsand of eternal things above, as marvellously glorious;of that God and Saviour whom, in the days of their unregeneracy, they disregarded. They, each one of them, now say, Whom have I in Heaven but thee? and there is none

CAUSE OF THANKSGIVING TO GOD.

301 upon all the earth whom I desire in comparison of thee." "Old things are passed away, and behold, all things are be come new." They now act from new motives, -the love of Christ constraining them, according to the rule of the divine law, of which they have obtained new views, and to a new end, the glory of their God and Saviour! They are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained, that they should walk in them.

Doth the Holy Spirit, by the word of truth, produce such a great change in the heart of a sinner? The church of Christ then has good reason for thanksgiving to God. The churches of Judea had not known Paul by face; they only heard, that be who persecuted them in times past, now preached the faith, which once he destroyed. "And they glorified God in me!" They ascribed glory to God on this account. In the closet, as individuals; and in public, when assembled for social worship, they remembered the abundant grace bestowed on this notorious offender, and offered up their sacrifice of praise to God, for what he had done for his soul. The churches of Christ have abundant reason of thanksgiving to God for the conversion of a sinner, because in this work they behold a new manifestation of the divine perfections. Grace, the rich and sovereign grace of God, shines in pardoning the sinner, and his justice in pardoning him, only on account of the atonement of Christ. Here is a glorious display of omnipotent power, in turning the sinner from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God! None of us saw the material creation called into existence, nor heard the morning stars shouting for joy, when the foundation of the earth was laid; but in the conversion of a sinner we behold a new creation; and, surely, all the adopted sons of God do, with joyful hearts, sing praises to him for this manifestation of his glory.

A new member is added to the mystical body of Christ. This body is not yet completed; nor shall it arrive unto a perfect man until the last elect sinner be converted to the Lord. Every saved sinner is a new member added to this mystical-body-it is a new accession of joy to the heart of Jesus! The promise of the Father to him runs in these words: "He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: he shall see his seed.' Of these a great multitude are already in his presence above, whom he beholds with inexpressible joy. From his throne in heaven he beholds his spiritual seed who are on earth, the fruit of his sufferings and death; and every sinner, who is converted by grace, imparts a new joy to his heart. This he himself teacheth us in the parable of the lost sheep: "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost." No sooner is a poor sinner apprehended by almighty grace, than Jesus feels an accession of joy, and announceth the happy tidings to saints and angels

* Luke xv. 3-7.

around him, saying, "Rejoice with me (I rejoice) for I have found another sheep which was lost." Surely, the churches will participate in the joy of their Lord!

It is a new triumph of Christ over the powers of darkness. Every man in his natural state is a slave to the devil; and from this bondage nothing but omnipotent power can deliver. “Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered." On the cross, the powers of darkness were vanquished by the power of Jesus; and in the conversion of a sinner, a new display is made of his victorious arm in delivering them from the slavery of Satan. All the churches will rejoice in the destruction of his kingdom, and give thanks to God for every sinner that is translated into the kingdom of his dear Son.

The conversion of a sinner is the deliverance of an immortal soul from going down to Hell, and introduces him into the way that leads to'eternal life. Christians are benevolent persons : they sigh over the miseries of their fellow-men. To see wicked men running in the broad way to destruction, penetrates their heart with deep concern; and sends them to their prayers, that God would save them. Many a fervent prayer, without doubt, was sent up to Heaven by the churches in behalf of Saul, not only that his wrath might be restrained, but that his soul might be saved. Their prayers were heard, and they glorified God on his account. How gladdening to the hearts of believers to behold sovereign mercy plucking sinners as brands out of the burning! And the joy of their heart vents itself in thanksgiving to God!

When a sinner is converted, he is qualified to glorify God, and to be useful to the church. Whilst men are in their natural state, their conduct is a continued dishonouring of God. Never do men begin to answer the end of their creation till they are created in Christ Jesus. When the saints behold sinners living in wilful disobedience, they are pained to the heart, and tears sometimes run down their eyes; but do they behold the same persons mourning over their former iniquities, and studying to glorify God in their bodies and spirits? While they admire this great change, they ascribe thanksgiving to the Most High for that grace which effected it.

Reader, Are you converted to the Lord? Are you turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God? Bless the Lord at all times, let his praise be continually in your lips. Many are yet in a state of condemnation, yea, many are now in hell, who were no worse by nature than you. Sing unto the Lord, and give thanks at the remembrance of that sovereign grace,which hath made you to differ from them. “What! know you not that you are not your own? Ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your bodies and spirits, which are bis."

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM DR. Doddridge.

303

Pray daily for the conversion of other sinners unto the Lord. That same grace which pardoned you, is sufficient to pardon them. Let your fervent prayers daily ascend to Heaven, that the gospel may be preached with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven. Let your bowels of compassion move over poor sinners who are running blindfold to ruin. Warn them of their danger, tell them of the rich grace of God, exhort them tó read the Bible, endeavour to bring them with you to the house of God, that they may hear the words of eternal life. Pray for the conversion of the Heathen nations; plead, that God may fulfil his promises respecting them. Shew your gratitude to God for his mercy towards you, by using every means in your power for making known that mercy to the Heathen. What a great honour, to be a mean of converting a sinner, and saving a soul from death! Do you hear of a sinner turned to the Lord, O, give thanks to the God of Heaven! And let your conversation testify to all around, that you are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.

D. H.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM DR. DODDRIDGE, TO MR. PEARSALL, OF TAUNTON,

containing a Remarkable Reiation.

[See the Gentleman's Magazine, Vol. XX. p. 313.]

"THERE was a German, who laid himself out for the conversion of the Jews, lately in London, one of the most surprizing linguists in the world: he formed a resolution, when but five years of age, of learning the languages in use amongst the Jews, without any reason that could be assigned; so that the pure Hebrew, the Rabbinical, the lingua Judaica, which differs from both, and almost all the modern languages of the then European nations, were as familiar to him as his own native tongue. With this furniture, and with great knowledge of God and love to Christ, and zeal for the salvation of souls, he had spent twelve of the thirty-six years of his life in preaching Christ in the synagogues, in the most apostolic manner, warning the Jews of their enmity to God; of their misery, as rejected by him; of the only hope that remains for them, by returning to their own Messiah; and by seeking from him righteousness of life, and placing their souls under the sprinkling of the blood of that great sacrifice. God blessed his labours in many places! In Ger many, Poland, Holland, Lithuania, Hungary, and other parts through which he had travelled, more than 600 souls owned their conversion to his ministry, many of whom expressed their great concern to bring others of their brethren to the knowledge

of that great and blessed Redeemer; and besought him to instruct their children, that they might preach Christ also.

Dr. Doddridge adds, that he heard one of his sermons, as he repeated it in Latin: that he could not hear it without many tears; and that he told him that sermon converted a Rabbi, who was master of a synagogue.

ON THE TRANSLATION OF THE SCRIPTURES.

THE dissemination of the word of life is, indeed, "a consummation most devoutly to be wished;" and how it may best be accomplished, is a question of vast importance. As soon as the question is proposed, it immediately occurs, Let it, in the first place, be translated into all the written languages that exist in the world: but the difliculty still remains. How is this to be done? There are two ways, in particular, which present themselves: First, Let a suitable number of persons take a particular department, Asia, for instance; and taking their station in some convenient spot, collect together as they can, persons who understand the languages of the surrounding countries, and employ them to translate, whilst they superintend the work.

The second plan is, Let one, two, or three Missionaries properly qualified, be sent to each country where a particular language is spoken; and having first made themselves masters of it, then sit down and make a good translation of the book of God, A good translation; for it is not merely a translation, let it be good or bad, that is desired. If a Missionary, in preaching to the Heathen, or conversing with them, use an improper word, and convey an erroneous idea, he soon learns his mistake from them, and is at hand to correct it; and can in a way which will be satisfactory to them, say, "I have used an improper word when conversing with you: it is not so, but thus and thus." But if he puts a book into their hand, a hasty and erroneous translation, and says that it is the book of God, he cannot afterwards, when he finds a mistake, so easily erase what is erroneous, and insert the true reading; and in a way satisfactory to their mind, tell them it was a mistranslation. All that this is brought to prove is, that the utmost possible care should be take; and no labour or expense should be spared in effecting this rost desirable of all objects, the universal dissemination of the word of God!

-

But if we attend to what are the properties of a good translation, and who are the persons who seem fitted for the work, we shall be better able to determine which of the above plans should be adopted. The first, and an essential requisite in any translation is, that it conveys the precise meaning of the original The reverse of this is greatly to be deprecated.