message of the gospel; it was a single but illustrious instance of the same kind. We are not favoured with such success as Peter witnessed ; but from time to time, one and another, like the jailor, makes the interesting enquiry, and welcomes the scriptural answer. And whether one obscure person in a cottage, or a prison, is converted, or ten thousand at once are converted; not a single instance is overlooked: CHRIST rejoices over his lost sheep, and calls on us to rejoice likewise.

II. Then, what do we learn from this expression, "Rejoice with me?" We may suppose the penitent, not only bowed down by a sense of past guilt, but oppressed by feeling much remaining stoutness of spirit and hardness of heart; which though not before aware of, he now begins to perceive and lament. Perhaps he recollects, not merely outward sins; but (which is often the case with moral persons) a proud contempt of the doctrines and ministry of the gospel, and many sarcastical remarks on pious persons, that lie with peculiar weight upon the conscience. Many things may recur to his mind, of convictions repressed, and prejudices indulged, and resolutions broken, and sins committed against knowledge and conscience, and attempts made to obtain quiet from lax and unscriptural views; inducing a fear, lest something has taken place, which may exclude him from mercy; or lest he should have

committed the unpardonable sin.-On this subject, I can only at present say, that they who are most alarmed on that account, are the least likely to be the persons spoken of; that every sin is unpardonable without repentance; and that no sin is unpardonable if repented of.-Now it is here supposed, that this discouraged enquirer earnestly begs of GOD to give him repentance and his Holy 'Spirit;' and amidst all difficulties, desires still to believe, and hope, and submit, and rely, and pray, and admit no other confidence. I would therefore add, that even over such a case as this, CHRIST is represented as rejoicing; while the sinner is weeping, trembling, and tempted to despond.

Let us recur to the representation given in the parable.—Suppose a shepherd bestowing pains, and exposing himself to hardship and fatigue, and perhaps to imminent danger, in seeking a lost sheep: would he feel no satisfaction when he had found

it, though, through simplicity, it feared and fled from 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 Re"deemer sees of the travail of his soul," (in Gethsemane and on Cavalry,)" 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. "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 gospel; 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?

Col. i. 12-14.

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 endeavours 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 he 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

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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 been before considered; all the means used, and the divine influence of the Holy Spirit communicated, in order 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 deliver 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 Scripture accords to it. How emphatical the language of God by his Prophet concerning Ephraim !

I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning him"self thus: Thou hast chastised me, and I was "chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the "6 yoke. Turn thou me, and I shall be turned,