July 22

as possible live peaceably with all men. And if, as offences will come, a breach at any time is made, let us hasten to heal it, remembering that he who soonest yields is the conqueror, and that it is the glory of a man to pass by a transgression. "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

JULY 22.—"Sanctify them through thy truth."—John 17:17.

As the Saviour intercedes for this sanctification, it shows us the importance of it. As he asks it for his own disciples, who were already called by his grace, and had continued in his word, we learn that it is a progressive work, and that we should not be satisfied with any present advancements we have made in it. Hence the admonition of the Apostle: "Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." God is the source and author of this sanctification; and therefore his agency is implored. But we are here reminded of the instrumentality he employs: "Sanctify them through thy truth." There is an emphasis in the appropriation—thy truth: for it is not every kind of truth that sanctifies; but the truth of God; "the truth as it is in Jesus." This is the means of our conversion, and therefore it is said, "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth." And this also is the means of our progress in the divine life; and hence we read, "As new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." The Gospel conduces to our sanctification several ways:

First, by replenishing the soul with holy objects of contemplation. These, by filling the mind, keep out other things, and by their residing in it, produce assimilation. For we are always affected with subjects with which we are constantly familiar. When we are among little children, and fields, and meadows, and lambs, we acquire feelings of simplicity and innocence, to which we are strangers in our intercourse with the world. A man that dwells much upon gloomy images is soon tinged with depression and despondency. The miser by poring always on "sordid dust" becomes contracted, and mean, and base. Who does not feel his levities checked, and a soft sympathy seizing his frame, when he enters the house of mourning, and, for the time at least, know, that "by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better?" Ideas of grandeur tend to elevate, and of purity to refine our sentiments. Hence one of the secrets of sanctification is to be very conversant with "the things of God," by reading, hearing, and reflection.

Secondly, by presenting powerful motives. And what motives does it not employ? It addresses our fear, and lays all hell before the conscience. It appeals to our hope, and tells us of the things which God has prepared for them that love him. It speaks to our ingenuousness and gratitude. If we sin, it is against our best Benefactor and Friend. If we offend and grieve him, it is in sight of his dying anguish. Can I hear him saying, All this I freely endure for

thee, and not cry, "Lord, I am thine, save me?" "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?"

Thirdly, by the Spirit of holiness that attends it. His influence is necessary to the success even of his own word. Without it the suitableness and excellency of the means will be unavailing. The best objective representations and rational arguments will be counteracted by the depravity of the human heart, unless the Lord works with them. When the Apostles came to Antioch, "preaching the Lord Jesus," it was not the goodness of the subject that produced their success—"The hand of the Lord was with them;" and hence "a great number believed and turned unto the Lord." And Paul acknowledges the same in his epistle to the Thessalonians: "Our Gospel came to you, not in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance." Now this influence is confined to God's truth. This testimony he only gives to the word of his grace. And therefore the Apostle asks the Galatians: "This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" So we may ask any believer who is a new creature in Christ; What is it that proved the power of God to your salvation? What was it that humbled you in the dust, and yet enabled you to rejoice in Christ? That at once relieved you under a sense of guilt, and yet rendered you the enemy of sin? That raised you above the world, and yet made you content and useful in it? Blessed are the people that know the joyful sound.

Let us hourly praise the Father of lights, that to us is the word of this salvation sent. There is no true sanctification separate from it. Men may be amiable, and civil, and moral, and superstitious without it, but not holy. The truth and the life of God go together. We do not like a religion that rests in the word; and we suspect a religion that can dispense with it—"Sanctify them through thy truth."

JULY 23.—"In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine. I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day."—Isaiah 27:2, 3.

God has both enemies and friends in the world. Hence his word abounds with threatenings and with promises: for he will deal with the one according to their desert, and they will have no reason to complain; and with the other according to the riches of his mercy and grace, and they will have much reason to be thankful. "In that day the Lord with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea." But the dooming of the wicked need not alarm the Church: yea, destruction to the one is deliverance to the other—

Therefore it is added; "In that day sing ye unto her." Thus we see that the Lord is concerned for the welfare and encouragement of his people: "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people." But knowledge must precede comfort. How can they rejoice in privileges or prospects of which they are ignorant? Hence "it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace;" that is, with the doctrine of the Gospel. They that know his name will put their trust in him.

VOL. II.