condemned as a malefactor, and crucified between two thieves. Scrupulously observant of the letter, he was indifferent to the spiritual requirements of the Law. Hence he felt no humbling convictions on account of the inward workings of evil. His conscience was at ease, so long as he could maintain a decent exterior, and enjoy the reputation of superior sanctity. Every unholy passion, directed against the Son of God and his redeemed people, was extolled as praise-worthy zeal and meritorious service. The more he wasted the despised sect of the Nazarenes, the higher he rose in his own estimation, and in that of the Rulers.

Such were the self-righteous feelings of Saul, when arrested by the blessed Jesus in his mad career. What power, short of Omnipotence, could have effected so sudden, so great, so universal a change. It was truly the work of that Eternal Word who said, amidst the darkness of chaos,— "Let there be light, and there was light." He was made a new creature in Christ Jesus; old things passed away, and all things became new. His proud heart was humbled; his breast, so lately filled with rage, now overflowed with love; his mind, once so dark, was now enlightened to see his vileness; and so earnest were his cries for mercy, that the Searcher of hearts himself bore testimony to his sincerity, by declaring to the fearful Ananias:-"Behold, he prayeth."

Strictly moral in his conduct, and well versed in the traditions of the elders, zealous for God, and ready to extinguish every spark of supposed heresy ; Saul of Tarsus, before his conversion, was like the

whited sepulchre, beautiful to look at. Yet, with all these Jewish attractions, his heart was not right with God. While he made many and long prayers, he never breathed the contrite sigh; while he thanked God that he was not as other men, he never cried from a broken heart :-" God be merciful to me a sinner." In this state of blind unbelief and spiritual insensibility, rejecting the mercy of God, and the Saviour of mankind, he would have filled up the measure of his iniquities, had not sovereign grace snatched him as a brand from the burning, and made him a vessel unto honour, sanctified and meet for the Master's use.

Is the case of Saul an uncommon one in this our day? Alas! no.

Thousands possess the Bible who are ignorant of the way of salvation through a crucified Redeemer thousands attend the ordinances of the Gospel who never feel its power: thousands are zealous for the religion of their fathers, who yet ridicule such of their brethren, as excel them in the spirituality of their affections, and the holiness of their lives.

During the reign of Papal darkness, what thousands glutted themselves with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus, exulting, with Princes and Bishops over the Sheep of Christ, rejoicing to see the sacred fires of the Inquisition lighted up, to consume the bodies of the the faithful, who protested against the errors of Church of Rome. The Beast, though wounded, is not yet dead. The ancient enmity to the light of Truth is still in active operation.

In every age the heart of man is the same unvarying spring of evil. Under every covering, whether it be that of outward morality, or amiability of temper, it is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.

Every garment of nature's weaving, how beautiful, soever its texture or colouring, is too scanty wholly to conceal the inbred corruption. Divine Truth, with unsparing hand, tears away the flimsy veil, and discovers the heart in all its vileness.

"Thou sayest I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing, and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." But whilst He who is THE TRUTH, thus exposes to herself the fallen church of Laodicea, he most graciously adds: "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame. of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see.”

This exposure, however humiliating, was the fruit of covenant love: "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore and repent." And now, behold a display of condescending mercy, which should move every heart, and awaken every Christian feeling: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." O! that all may listen to the voice of mercy, inviting the soul to sweet communion with the Saviour, before it be

exchanged for the thunders of the day of Judgment. Nothing will abide the fiery trial, but the gold which Jesus promises to bestow. True faith, producing its happy fruits, shall be found unto praise, and honour, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ, who, like the refiner's fire, shall try every man's work, of what sort it is. How painful is the thought, that the hearts of dying creatures should be so averse from that religion, which breathes nothing but peace and good-will toward man. The religion of Jesus is emphatically the religion of love,-divine love embodied in its most endearing form. True happiness increases, as the power of the Gospel in the heart increases. The more we resemble Christ, in his meekness and humility, in his love and obedience, the more we shall enjoy the presence of God, and the sweeter anticipations we shall have of future glory.

Our aversion to holiness proves us to be the children of the fall. Our nature is radically corrupt. We may respect the decencies of religion, whilst pride, yea, even hatred to real godliness, rankles in our breast.

Thus it was with Saul of Tarsus, and so it is with every mere nominal Christian, who is a stranger to the plague of his own heart, and has never felt the need of a better righteousness than his own, to justify him in the sight of God.

There is a little flock, saved by grace, to whom it is the Father's good pleasure to give the kingdom. Saul was brought into the fold, and so will all who betake themselves, through grace, to the good Shepherd.

Writing to these redeemed ones, St. Jude gives this affectionate exhortation: "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."

May all who read these pages drink deeply into the spirit of this apostolic exhortation, that receiving the end of their faith, even the salvation of their souls, they may join the glorified Church in heaven, in ascribing blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever.