RENEW, RENEWING
I pause at these words purposely to drop an observation or two on a point of so much consequence, in the Christian life, as the blessed effects of these divine operations in the heart, by God the Holy Ghost. His is the gracious work to renew the mind of every sinner, when by his grace he makes willing in the day of his power. He opens the eye to see, and the heart to feel, the dreadful consequences of sin, and the infinite importance of salvation. His is the blessed act to bring the heart savingly acquainted with the person, offices, characters, and relations of the Lord Jesus Christ. His is the delightful ministry to bring the distressed soul under the comforting influences of his supporting love, and to shew the heart, under desponding circumstances, that there is more in Jesus's blood and righteousness to save, than in all our sins to destroy. And by bringing home these soul-strengthening, soul-refreshing views of Christ, and applying them with sovereign power to the heart, "he fills the heart with joy unspeakable and full of glory." I hope the reader hath not now for the first time to learn acquaintance with this divine office of the Holy Ghost, but can say with the apostle, "the Lord, according to his mercy, hath saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he hath shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour." (Titus 1:3; Titus 1:5-6)