your judgment of sin, by what it is in the sight of God; and of mercy, by the guilt it reaches, the misery it removes, the happiness it yields; and you will perceive the amasing magnitude of Divine mercy to such a man as Saul of Tarsus.

3. It was boundless in its blessings.

Hear the elevated sentiment of this Apostle, writing to the Ephesians: "Blessed be, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ;" blessings of the best kind; blessings adapted to the nature and necessities of the soul; blessings that are from heaven, that lead to heaven, that bring us into intimate connection with heavenly realities, and that are durable as their eternal enjoyment. It is the observation of a late author, Though God is sovereign in the bestownient of mercy, he is not niggardly. He goes beyond the humbled sinner's highest expectation. Where he looked for a single drop, there descends the copious shower. Where he hoped to receive the alms of one mite, he finds the collected treasures of a thousand ages, the massy mountain of solid gold. As far as a single step is exceeded by the circumference of the globe, or as high as the heavens are above the earth, even to the illimitable distances unbounded space, so far does God surpass all expectation when he sheweth mercy. Paul obtained mercy, and this was its nature, these were its properties: it was sovereign in its source, great in its degree, and boundless in its blessings. We proceed to notice,

III, The DESIGN of its bestowment.

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It was of importance that they who were personally acquainted with him should be informed on this head; and doubtless it is desirable that we possess the same information, Contemplating his history and character, the nature and circumstances of his

conversion, we naturally inquire, For what purpose was this? Why was such a man made a partaker of such mercy? The text answers the question. It was not for his benefit only, but-"For this cause, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to them who should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting."

Here are two distinct reasons assigned for Paul's obtaining mercy; one regards Divine long-suffering, the other human encouragement.

1. It was to illustrate Divine long-suffering. "In me first," does not mean in order of time; for many had obtained mercy before Paul; but in rank, in guilt, in atrocity of offence; as if he had said," that in me principally, in me as the chief the chief of sinners, the forbearance of the Most High might conspicuously appear.'

man.

Long-suffering towards sinners is one of the most glorious perfections of God. It includes that slowness to wrath, that unwillingness to punish, that patience under provocations, that waiting for repentance, that readiness to receive the penitent, which the Almighty claims as peculiarly his own, and which he so abundantly manifests in his dealings with And see its application to Paul. In him was shewn all long-suffering; that is, forbearance the most tender and munificent; for how provoking must have been the pride and unbelief of this man, deluded by a profession of religion! How offensive his prayers, while his heart was at enmity with God! How loudly did his blaspheming language, and persecuting spirit and conduct call for vengeance; but vengeance was delayed!And more than this; when his fury had risen to the highest pitch, and, breathing slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, he hasted to Damascus, the more speedily to complete their destruction-even then the Lord met him in the richest plenitude of his patience, subdued his stubborn

heart, and reconciled him to himself. Was not this "all long-suffering?" No sooner did he cry for mercy, than his cry was heard, and mercy was obtained! No sooner was it said of him," Behold, he prayeth!" than Ananias was directed to go and comfort him.

2. It was to promote human encouragement.

Here we have the application of the whole to ourselves. All this long-suffering was shewn to Paul, "for a pattern to them who should hereafter believe on Jesus." There is something in the idea so wonderful, and yet so pleasing, how shall we speak of it? Among men, the chief offenders are usually made the examples of Justice; with God, they have frequently been made the examples of Mercy; Paul was such in the case before us. In this memorable example we see what mercy is, what it can effect, and how far it can extend. We here behold its majesty, its energy, and its triumph. In this instance, we have an earnest of the mercy then in reserve for a lost world, a demonstration of what it would prove and accomplish to the end of time. As a painter gives you on canvas the likeness of living beauty as a dexterous statuary softens the rude marble into symmetry and graceful form; as a tradesman shews the quality of his goods by a fair selected sample; in like manner, the Holy Spirit here delightfully exhibits the form, the propor+ tions, the qualities of Divine Mercy. And let it be remembered, its beauties never fade, its just proportions never alter, its lovely qualities never vary, and its advantages are infinite.

Paul obtained mercy as a "pattern," an example of mercy to us. We, in this instance, are taught in a way more forcibly than words could teach us, that God is slow to anger and of great kindness; that. Christ is an all-sufficient Saviour; that in him all fulness dwells, unsearchable riches of grace and

goodness-love, which passeth knowledge-compassion which has no bounds. May this truth come home with energy to every heart! May it speak peace and comfort to every wounded spirit!

Are any cast down under a sense of sin? Does guilt oppress you, and fill you with desponding fears? Similar to these were once the feelings of this man. Prostrate on the earth, " trembling and astonished, he said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" Then he "obtained mercy!". And why? For the express purpose of encouragement to suc ceeding ages. And remember, there is nothing so widely different between your case and his, as to hinder your drawing comfort from his example; it is given with this very design, that through patience and comfort of this Scripture, you might have hope. Perhaps you say, "I have been a great and grieve ous transgressor;" so was Paul:-"I have. conti nued long in rebellion against God;" so did Paul i -"I have been very provoking in my sins;" so had Paul been:-"I have been guilty of slighting the Gospel, and despising the forbearance of a com passionate Saviour;" Paul had been guilty of similar offence. Still you urge, "He had not been such a sinner as I have been, not addicted to the same crimes." It may be so; but he had been a blasphemer and a persecutor of the worst kind if not the slave of grosser passions, he had fostered a spirit of hateful pride, had yielded to a heart of bitter enmity against God and Christ, and had lived in unreasonable and obstinate unbelief; yet-he "obtained mercy!".

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This is what you are particularly to keep in mind he obtained mercy, not for his own benefit only, but chiefly as an example of encouragement to others, and why not to you?" for a pattern to them who hereafter should believe on Jesus to life everlasting." Is not this reception of the Saviour

your concern? "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved." Flee to him for the pardon of sin, and for deliverance from the wrath to come. Rely on his "exceeding great and precious promises." Plead nothing but his merits in your favour. Commit your soul into his hands, and doubt not but you shall find the mercy of Jehovah to surpass your largest wishes.

Some of you have already done this; you have believed on Jesus Christ "to life everlasting." Let this, therefore, be your daily work: live still by faith on the Son of God, till life, eternal life is yours in its full fruition. And what a hope is this to cherish! What a glorious object is this to anticipate-life everlasting! Surely gratitude the most lively should glow in our breasts, and a sense of obligation the most affectionate should ever be retained. Did Paul "obtain mercy?" Believers, you have obtained it. Did he say, "By the grace of God I am what I am?" You may say the same. Was the grace bestowed on him "not in vain?" It ought not to be in vain on you. Let the humble service, the holy obedience, of your lives, testify the unfeigned gratitude which you profess to feel.

Shall we drop a word of caution? Let none abuse this subject as an occasion to sin. Let none perversely argue, that because Paul obtained mercy while going on in sin, therefore you may do the same, and shall obtain mercy too. The cases, in this view, are widely different. Paul did not sin in the presumption, that he should obtain mercy, as some men sin: he "verily thought within himself that he ought to do many things contrary to the Name of Jesus of Nazareth." Can you say this? While you wilfully continue in transgression, can you from the heart say, that you verily think you are doing right, doing what you ought? No! you are better informed. Conscience will not suffer you