1. First the value of this sacrifice. If God should only entertain men of a lighter guilt, Christ's death would be suspected to be too low a ransom for monstrous enormities; and that his treasure was sufficient for the satisfaction of smaller debts, but a penury of merit to discharge talents; which had not been a design suitable to the grandeur of Christ, or the infiniteness of that mercy God proclaims in his word. But now the conversion of giant-like sinners does credit to the atonement which Christ made; and is a great renewed approbation of the infinite value of it, and its equivalency to God's demands; for it bears some analogy to the resurrection of Christ, which was God's general acquittance to Christ, to evidence the sufficiency of his payment. And the justification of every sinner is a branch of that acquittance given to Christ at his resurrection; Raised again for our justification, Rom. 4. 25. And a particular acquaintance to Christ for that particular soul he had the charge of from his Father.

All that power that works in the first creation of grace, or the progress of regeneration, bears some proportion to the acquitting and approving power manifested in Christ's resurrection: And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead, Eph. 1. 19, 20. In ver. 17, 18, the apostle prays for the carrying on the work of grace and regeneration begun in them, that they might more clearly understand that power which wrought in Christ; viz. that approving power of what Christ has done, which he exerts daily in conversion, and in the effects of it. For by raising any soul from a death in sin, God doth evidence the particular value of Christ's blood for that soul, as he did in raising Christ, evidence the general fulness of that satisfaction. And this he will do even to the end of the world; Raised us up together with Christ: kindness through Christ Jesus, Eph. 2.6, 7

Virtue of Christ's Sacrifice.

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All his grace in all ages, even to the end of the world, shall run through this channel, to put credit and honour upon Christ. Now the greater the sin is that is pardoned, and the greater the sinner is that is converted, the more it shows the sufficiency of the pricè Christ paid., 59

2. The virtue of this sacrifice. He is a Priest for ever, Heb. 7. 17, and therefore the virtue as well as the value of his sacrifice remains for ever; he hath obtained an eternal redemption, Heb. 9. 12, i. e. a redemption of an eternal efficacy. As long as men receive any venom from the fiery serpent, they may be healed by the antitype of the brazen one, though it were so many years since he was lifted up. And those who are stung all over, as well as those who are bitten but in one part, may, by a believing looking upon him, draw virtue from him as diffusive as their sin.

Now the new conversions of men of extraordinary guilt, proclaims to the world, that the fountain of his blood is inexhaustible; that the virtue of it is not spent and drained, though so much hath been drawn out of it for these five thousand years and upwards, for the cleansing of sins past before his coming, and sins since his death. This evidences that his priesthood now is of as much efficacy as his sufferings on earth were valuable; and that his merit is as much in virtue above our iniquity, as his person is in excellency above our nothingness. He can wash the tawny American, as well as the moral heathen; and make the black Ethiopian as white as the most virtuous philosopher. God fastens upon the worst of men sometimes, to adorn the cross of Christ; and maketh them eminent testimonies of the power of Christ's death; He made his grave with the wicked, Isa. 53. 9. He shall give the wicked, (not grave) and the rich in his death. Heb. God shall make man, wallowing in sinful pleasures, tied to the blandishments and profits of the world, to come to Christ, and comply with

him, to be standing testimonies in all ages of the virtue of his sufferings.

4. For the fruitfulness of this grace in the converts themselves. The most rugged souls prove most eminent in grace upon their conversion, as the most orient diamonds in India, which are naturally more rough, are most bright and sparkling when cut and smoothed. Men usually sprout up in stature after shattering agues.

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PART III.

THE FRUITS OF CONVERTING GRACE, &c.

Increase of thankfulness-Love-Obedience-Humility-Self-abhorrence-Faith and dependence-Fear and reverence-Despair groundless-Perpetuity of divine love-Certain supplies of grace-Strength against corruption-Glorifying God for his grace -Remembrance of former sin-Address to doubting christians-Infinity of God's mercy-Jesus Christ came to save from the greatest sins-His death a satisfaction for the greatest sins-He is able to save from the greatest sins-His nature leads him to show mercy to the chief of sinners-He was exalted for this very purpose-His commission from the Father the salvation of such sinners-Necessary cautions-Relative to the pardon of sin-Against living in sin-The guilt, folly, and danger of this.

A SENSE of the sovereignty of grace in conversion, will first increase thankfulness. Converts only are fit to shew forth the praises of Christ; That you should shew forth the praises of him, who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light, 1 Pet. 2. 9. apears, the virtues of Christ. The end, why

God sets men at liberty from prisons and dungeons, and from fear of death and condemnation for great sins, is, that they may be fitted, and gain a commodious standing, to publish to the world the virtues of him; i. e. the mercy, meekness, patience, bounty, truth, and other royal perfections of Christ.

Men at their first conversion receive the grace of God with astonishment; for it is Javμasòv pws, 1 Pet. 2. 9, most amazing at the first appearance of it; as the northern nations that want the sun for some months in the winter, are ready to deify it when it appears in their horizon: for the thickness of the foregoing darkness makes the lustre of the sun more admirable. But suppose a man had been all his life-time like a mole under ground, and had never seen so much as the light of a candle, and had a view of that weak light at a distance, how would he admire it, when he compares it with his former darkness? But if he should be brought further, to behold the moon with its train of stars, his amazement would increase with the light. But let this person behold the sun, be touched with its warm beams, and enjoy the pleasure of seeing those rarities which the sun discovers, he will bless himself, adore it, and embrace that person that led him to enjoy such a benefit. And the blackness of that darkness he sat in before, will endear the present splendor to him, swell up such a spring tide of astonishment, as that there shall be no more spirit in him. God lets men sit long in the shadow of death, and run to the utmost of sin, before he stops them, that their danger may enhance their deliverance.

We admire more when we are pulled out of danger, than when we are prevented from running into it. A malefactor will be more thankful for a pardon, when it comes just as he is going to be turned off. If there be degrees of harmony in heaven, without question

the convert thief on the cross warbles out louder notes than others, because he had little time to do it on