faith in Christ, and to wash in his blood, as in a fountain open for sin and for uncleanness.

This is then one work of the Spirit of God, to purge and purify the soul from sin; and the other is, to quicken the soul to serve and please God. The work of purifying always comes first; we must have our conscience purged from dead works by the blood of Christ, before we can serve the living God. But wherever he begins his work, he carries it on: where he accomplishes his gracious design to purge a guilty soul from sin, he never fails to carry on his work to make that soul fruitful in good works and a holy conversation.

We have a most striking instance of this truth in the conversion of St. Paul:-where we see how mighty is the power of God, and how wonderful the effects, when he begins to work.

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Look at Saul going down to Damascus, full of pride, and zeal, and prejudice; exceedingly mad against the cause of Jesus, and pledged and sworn to bind and imprison all who loved him. As he goes along, he pours out against him all the bitter and blasphemous words that the pride and enmity of his heart could suggest; railing against the despised and crucified Jesus, and breathing out threatening and slaughter against his disciples; while he carried in his hand a warrant against them from the chief priests. Thirsting for their blood, he drew near to Damascus, when suddenly, in the twinkling of an eye, he fell to the ground: the heavens opened, and a bright light shone round about him he saw the despised and crucified one, now in all his glory; and at the sight he fell to the earth; and he heard the voice of Jesus, why persecutest thou me?"

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Saul, Saul,

That was

enough; one view of Jesus, one sight of his glory laid the proud persecutor low in the dust beholding his wounds melted his hardened heart: he looked upon him whom he had pierced, and mourned; and he cried out, "who art thou, Lord?" O wondrous change! Now he calls him Lord; he owns him as his Lord: though a few moments before, he thought him nothing but a deceiver, a malefactor,now he acknowledges him to be the Lord of life and glory;-and he said, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" Mark this, my Brethren; no sooner did he repent and believe, than he must be employed for God. The same Spirit that convinced him of sin and gave him comfort in Christ, by a glorious and blessed necessity went on to move him. to "live no longer to himself, but to him. that died for him and rose again:"-he cried, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to

do?" and from that moment he gave up himself to him. Having received a commission from above, he began at once to preach that worthy name which he had so long despised; and laboured night and day, through evil report and through good report, through perils and sufferings, through bonds and imprisonment, as we all know, till at length he laid his head upon the block in his dear Master's

cause.

This change in Saul of Tarsus is a most striking instance of the two-fold influence of the Holy Spirit:- which is in constant operation in the Church; and without which there cannot be a single conversion to God:-it is mighty to the pulling down of strong holds, and transforming proud opposing sinners into the meek and gentle followers of the Lamb. Let us now endeavour to trace this operation of the Spirit in the prophet's

heart. As we have observed, his troubled and afflicted conscience was eased by the touch of the altar coal; but the effect of that touch was not confined to this; it not only gave him ease and relief, but it kindled a holy fire within him.-A voice was heard in heaven, " whom shall I send? and who will go for us?" Then said the prophet, "here am I,

send me."

The coal from God's altar had touched him, the spirit of God had moved upon his soul, and he must be employed in his service. He only waited for a call, and he was ready, "here am I, send me!" He had not to wait long; nor will any whose hearts are filled with love to Christ, and desire to be devoted to him : Christ has a great work to do; the harvest is plenteous, and his labourers few, every hand therefore should be engaged, and we should pray