DISCOURSE IV. 101 ii. 2, 3. There is a new miracle wrought by Christ in every in- stance of converting grace, and he shall have the glory of them all in that day. It is a first resurrection from the dead, it is a new creation, and the almighty power shall then be publicly adored. Then one shall say, "I was a sensual sinner, drenched in liquor and unclean lusts, and wicked in all the forms of lewdness and intemperance : The grace of God my Saviour, appeared to me, and taught me to deny worldly lusts; Tit. ii. 11, 12. which 1 once thought I could never have parted with. I loved my sins as my life, but lie has persuaded and constrained me to cut off à right-hand, and to pluck out a right eye, and to part with my darling vices ; and behold me here a monument of his saving mercy. "I was envious against my neighbour, shall another say, and my temper was malice and wrath ; revenge was mingled with my constitution, and I thought it no iniquity : But I bless the name of Christ, my Redeemer, who, in the day of his grace, turned my wrath into meekness ; lte inclined me to love even my enemies, and to pray for them that cursed me ; he taught me all this by his own example, and he made me learn it by the sove- reign influences of his spirit. I am a wonder to myself, when I think what once I was : Amazing change, and almighty grace !" Then a third shall confess, " I was a, profane wretch, a swearer, a blasphemer ; I hoped for no heaven, and I feared no hell ; but the Lord seized me in the midst of my rebellions, and sent his arrows into my soul ; he made me feel the stings of an awakened conscience, and constrained me to believe there was a God and a hell, till I cried out astonished, What shall I do to be saved? Acts xvi. 31. Then he led me to partake of his own salvation, and, from a proud rebellions infidel, helm made me a penitent and a humble believer, and here I stand to chew forth - the wonders of his grace, and a boundless extent of his for- giveness." A fourth shall stand up, and acknowledge in that day, And I was a poor, carnal, covetous creature, who made this world my God, and abundance of money was my heaven ; but he cured me of this vile idolatry of gold, taught me how to obtain treasures in the heavenly world, and to forsake all on earth, that I might have an inheritance there ; and behold.he has not disappointed my hope : I am now made rich indeed, and I must for ever speak his praises." There shall be no doubt or dispute, in that day, whether it was the power of our own will, or the superior power of divine grace, that wrought the blessed change that turned the lion into a lamb, a groveling earth -worm into a bird of paradise, and of a covetous or malicious sinner, e 3
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