"By regeneration we understand the commencement of the life of God in the soul of man; the beginning of that which had not an existence before: by renewal, the invigoration of that which has been begun; the sustentation of a life already possessed. In the wash

ing of regeneration the new life commences. Having begun it needs to be supported and preserved. This is effected by the renewing of the Holy Ghost, the flowing into the soul through the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ of the varied gifts of the Divine Agent by whom the life itself was imparted at first.” — Thomas Binney.

II.

REGENERATION AND RENEWAL.

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EGENERATION and Renewal are related

to each other, as the planting of the tree is related to its growth. It is very necessary that at the outset we should have a clear conception of what regeneration is. In the manuals of theology we sometimes find it described as "a change of nature." But we must take respectful exception to this definition. For by nature must be meant, of course, human nature; and by the expression "change of nature," it is implied that the natural heart can be so transformed and bettered, that it can bring forth the fruits of righteousness and true holiness. Against this presumption the Word of God enters its solemn and emphatic caveat "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."*

We hold that the true definition of regeneration

Rom. 8: 7.

is, that it is "the communication of the Divine Nature to man by the operation of the Holy Spirit, through the Word." So writes the Apostle Peter: "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these we might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." * As Christ was made partaker of human nature by his incarnation, that so he might enter into truest fellowship with us, we are made partakers of the Divine Nature by regeneration, that we may enter into truest fellowship with God. That great saying of the Son of God which is so often repeated in the Gospel and Epistles of John, "He that believeth on me hath eternal life," can convey to us only this idea when rightly understood: The eternal life is not our natural life prolonged into endless duration. It is the divine life imparted to - the very life of very God communicated to the human soul, and bringing forth there its own. proper fruit.

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Seeing this point clearly, we can readily understand the process and method of spiritual growththat it consists in the constant mortification of the

* 2 Pet. 1: 4.

natural man, and the constant renewal of the spiritual man. We can best illustrate this by using the figure of grafting, which the Scriptures several times employ. Here is a gnarly tree, which bears only sour and stunted fruit. From some rich and perfect stock a scion is brought, which is incorporated into a branch of this tree. Now, the husbandman's efforts are directed, not to the culture and improvement of the old stock, but to the development of the new. Instead of seeking to make the original branches better, he cuts them off, here and there, that the sap and vitality which they are wasting in the production of worthless fruit, may go to that which is approved and excellent. Here is the philosophy of spiritual culture: "Put off the old man with his deeds; "the inward man is renewed day by day."

Believing that vigilant and serious attention to spiritual culture is now especially demanded, if we are to cope with the powerful enemies which confront us, let us search for the secret of this divine renewal.

Day by day" our inward man is renewed. "Give us day by day our daily bread," is the which the Saviour taught us to utter. And

prayer

yet he said, "It is written that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." The bread of the Word is that which we must feed upon if we would enjoy a daily increase in the life of God. It is a trite admonition, but none the less true and vital. Divine growth must follow the development of the divine birth. If we were "begotten by the Word of Truth," we must be daily renewed from the same element.

Too few really credit the power of the Word in building up holy character, and therefore too few make diligent experiment of the process. Can we think it possible that the food on our tables should be so transmuted in Nature's laboratory that it should re-appear, now in the stalwart muscle of the blacksmith's arm, and now in the fine texture of the poet's brain? And let it not seem incredible that the Word of God, daily received and inwardly assimilated, can re-appear in every kind of spiritual power and holy efficiency. Stephen Grellet, waking up from his early sacramental training, saw the washerwomen one day at their tasks. They were washing linen. He says: "I wondered to see what beating and pounding there