that is serious, which has been shown after a reprieve, by some criminals who appeared most devout; and for one instance of salvation coming to the atrocious offender, there are many who are left to bring on themselves wrath to the uttermost. God sometimes lifts a plant from the wilderness, and places it in his vineyard, but it is his common mode to transplant to it flowers from the fields, which surround it, and which, from their situation, share in its breezes and dews.

The account given of the conversion of Lydia is very striking. But did such a character as we have described require such a change? Perhaps her piety was like that of the Ethiopian nobleman, and of Cornelius, and required to be enlightened and influenced by the doctrines and the events of the Christian dispensation. Or, which is a more probable supposition, though her life was decorous, and her observance of re ligious worship exact, she "knew not the plague of her own heart," and relied on the purity of her character, and the attention which she paid to the charge committed to her, as entitling her to the favour of God. The Spirit of God discovered to her guilt and depravity of which she was unconscious, and showed her, in the blood and in the grace of Jesus, a remedy for evils

thus unveiled, noble motives for duty, and a sure hope for eternity.

His

To persons whose outward deportment is grave and sober, as well as to the atrocious transgressor, the Saviour declares, "Ye must be born again." The human heart is shut against truth and holiness. It is often shut against truth and duty by prejudices, or false ideas of religion; and even when the natural man has just views of the gospel scheme, yet with him knowledge is a mere speculation. understanding is blind to its glory. These mysteries which angels contemplate with wonder and rapture, he regards with no interest; nor does he see aught in the divine character to engage his affections. There are seasons when impending danger may make the careless to tremble, and when signal deliverances may raise the glow of gratitude in the cold heart, but it soon returns to its former insensibility. Pride excludes gratitude, and anxiety about this world solicitude for eternity. Selfishness is incompatible with beneficence, and a fair reputation among men often excites false and perilous impressions of the light in which we are regarded by the Judge of all. Now, in conversion, the heart thus shut is opened. He who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, shines into

T

it. The divine character is discovered in its glory; the life of Jesus in its varied excellence; and their own state, temper, and conduct, in such a light as produces a godly sorrow, and a lasting humility. The gates are open, and the graces of religion enter and abide there; Repentance with its salutary reflections, devotion with its heavenly tendencies, charity with its kind impulses, faith with its purifying influence, patience with its holy tranquillity, and hope with its bright anticipations. And this is God's act. Friendship may knock, holy compassion may warn and plead, and remorse and terror may, like a strong wind, shake the gates, but all will remain closed, till He put forth his hand "who hath the key of the house of David, who opens, and none can shut."

The change which took place on Lydia was effected while she was hearing the gospel. I do not assert that the heart is never opened but in God's house. The rough hand of affliction is sometimes put forth to open it, and amidst the pangs of disease, and the sorrows of death, the soul has been quickened,—but it is the preaching of the gospel which is the most frequent instrument of conversion. Let not those who neglect it flatter themselves that they will obtain salvation by other methods; for " he that turns

away his ear from the hearing of the law, his prayer shall be abomination."

This change seems to have been accomplished in a soft and gentle manner. Some represent conversion as always preceded by a season of anguish and horror, in which the mind is brought to the verge of distraction, and the heart is tortured with the pains of hell; but in some cases the soul is led by a gentler mode into the paths of righteousness. This has been the case with some who were converted in early life, with persons whose dispositions were mild and tender, and with those who have been kept by grace, in a considerable measure, free from the pollutions of the world.

This change was effected suddenly. In many cases Jesus stands at the door, and knocks till his head is filled with dew, and his locks with the drops of the night, but in others the door is thrown open in an instant. Men accomplish their purposes by degrees, in consequence of their inability to execute them more promptly; but the procedure of the Almighty is carried on in the way most conducive to his own glory, and most suited to the state, the characters, and the connexions of those to whom his dispensations refer.

It also deserves our notice, that this change

was the conversion of a person in the middle period of life. She was a widow who had a family left to her care, and must therefore have passed the season of youth; and she was engaged in the active business of life, and had not sought that retirement from toil which the infirmities of age require. It shows that they ought not to despair of salvation, who have passed through youth without regeneration, and that it may be obtained by them if they seek it amidst the cares and the bustle of active life. But let none presume from this to devote their early days to folly, and imagine that they will turn to God when they reach the more sober and mature periods of life. This was the first time that the gospel was heard by Lydia, and though she was impressed by it, the probability is, that those who have neglected the great salvation in their early days, will continue to disregard it. If while their spirits are tender they hear without effect the superlative excellencies of the character and love of Christ displayed, and the melting history of his sufferings, it cannot be imagined that they will yield to their influence when they are engrossed and perplexed with worldly cares.

Several things are stated by the sacred historian, as the result, and as the evidence of this