of the Spirit from the Scriptures, we have sought to fill up the outline from the records of religious biography. For Christian experience, if it be true and divinely inspired, is but the Bible translated and printed in illuminated text, scripture “writ large," for the benefit of dim eyes that cannot read the fine print of doctrine. Let our readers judge for themselves of the significance of the spiritual transactions herein recorded.

3. Finally, in all that we have written we have had chiefly in mind the help and quickening of Christian ministers and workers. No elaborate treatise has been attempted; no exhaustive discussion of the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit. Rather have we attempted an easy colloquy with our readers, blending scripture exposition with religious incident, letting the voice of God be heard now in his inspired word, and now in the echoes which that word has awakened in Christian consciousness. And upon all, we have sought and do now seek, the illuminating and sanctifying and consecrating influences of the Holy Paraclete that what in our discourse is true and according to the mind of God may be blessed to his people; and that whatever is amiss may be graciously forgiven and overuled.

REGENERATION AND RENEWAL.

"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.

R

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."*

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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 us the very life of very God communicated to the human soul, and bringing forth there its own. proper fruit.

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

* 2 Pet. 1: 4.