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I. WHAT CONVERSION IS, AND WHEREIN IT LIES. The conversion to be treated of is not —

1. An external one, or what lies only in an outward reformation of life and manners, such as that of the Ninevites, for this may be where internal conversion is not, as in the Scribes and Pharisees.

2. Nor is it a mere doctrinal one, nor a conversion from false notions before imbibed to a set of doctrines and truths which are according to the Scriptures; so men of old were converted from Judaism and heathenism to Christianity.

3. Nor the restoration of the people of God from backsliding when they are in a very affecting and importunate manner called upon to return to the Lord (Jeremiah 3:12, 14, 22; Hosea 14:1-4); so Peter when he fell through temptation and denied his Lord, and was recovered from it by a look from Christ, it is called his conversion (Luke 22:32). But —

4. The conversion under consideration is a true, real, internal work of God upon the souls of men.

(1) In the turn of the heart to God, of the thoughts of the heart.

(2) Conversion lies in a man's being turned from darkness to light; the apostle was sent to turn them from darkness to light (chap. Acts 26:18), that is, to be the instrument or means of their conversion by preaching the gospel.

(3) From the power of Satan unto God as in the above place (chap. 26:18). Satan has great power over men in an unconverted state.

(4) Conversion lies in turning men from idols to serve the living God; not merely from idols of silver and gold, of wood and stone, as formerly, but from the idols of a man's own heart.

(5) Conversion lies in turning men from their own righteousness to the righteousness of Christ.

(6) Conversion lies in a man's turning to the Lord actively under the influence of Divine grace; and by this phrase it is often expressed in Scripture as in Isaiah 10:21; Acts 11:21; 2 Corinthians 3:16.

II. THE CAUSES OF CONVERSION.

1. Not by the power of man; what is said of the conversion or turning of the Jews from their captivity is true of the conversion of a sinner that it is not by might nor by power, that is, not of man, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts (Zechariah 4:6).

2. Nor is conversion owing to the will of man; the will of man before conversion is in a bad state; it chooses its own ways, and delights in its abominations, it is in high pursuit after the desires of the flesh and of the mind.

3. God only is the author and efficient cause of conversion.

4. The moving or impulsive cause of conversion is the love, grace, mercy, favour, and good will of God, and not the merits of men.

5. The instrumental cause or means of conversion is usually the ministry of the Word.

III. THE SUBJECTS OF CONVERSION. Lost sinners redeemed by Christ are the subjects.

(Theological Sketch-Book.)

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KJV: Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

WEB: "Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord,