September 1

"Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth."—James 1:13.

THESE words present before us three things concerning the regeneration of believers. The fact of it, they are begotten; the source of it, "of his own will begat he us;" this excludes human merit, and ascribes our salvation to free and sovereign grace. The instrument employed is "the word of truth." This is one of the designations given to the Gospel. Let us consider

THE INSTRUMENT ITSELF. It has many properties.

It is not a natural instrument. It does not operate by any natural efficacy, as food nourishes, as the sun shines, or as the wind blows; if it were thus natural, it could not be of grace: and it could never be employed without its designed effect being produced, as the sun, wherever it shines, imparts light, and sheds its genial influence on those who are beneath its rays.

It is an appointed instrument. Romans 10:14—17. The waters of the sanctuary run through the channel of the Gospel. Here, in the word of truth, God has fixed his power, that is, here he will exert it; for "it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth."

It is a necessary instrument. Destitute of divine revelation, what can we know of the character, perfections, and government of God, and of the important duties and final destinies of mankind?

It is but an instrument. The power and efficacy are from God. The word exhibits Christ, the Spirit enables us to receive him; the word shows us his excellence, the Spirit leads us to admire it; the word declares the promises, the Spirit helps us to plead them; the word makes known to us the way, the Spirit enables us to walk in it; the word is the seed of the Spirit, the Spirit is the quickener of the word.

THE MODE OF ITS OPERATION.

It works on the mind by enlightening it. The word of truth is the book out of which we are taught, the Spirit of truth is the Teacher who instructs us.

It operates on the conscience by convincing it. It discovers to us the evil of sin, the depravity of our hearts, and the suitableness of Christ. It shows us the rocks, shelves, and quicksands, which endanger the ocean of life, and is a compass to steer us to the haven of rest.

It acts on the soul by converting it. We are said to be sanctified through the truth, born again of the incorruptible seed of the word; it is a hammer that breaks the rocky heart, a sword that pierces the inmost soul, a light that penetrates the darkest mind. May all these important ends be answered in our experience!