his influence, and submit to his operations. Thus shall the effectual working of his power transform our souls into the divine image8, and make us " meet for the inheritance of the saints in light11."]
But these points will receive additional light, while we consider,
II. The manner in which the blood and Spirit of Christ are to be applied, in order to their being effectual for the ends proposed —
From the rites used in cleansing the leper, we learn, that the application both of the blood and Spirit of Christ must be,
1, Particular —
[Doubtless our whole man needs purification both from the guilt and pollution of sin. But the application of the blood and oil to the ear, the thumb, and the toe of the leper, seems to intimate, that every member of the body, and every faculty of the soul, whereby we either receive or execute the will of God, needs a special purification from guilt and corruption. Great is the guilt we have contracted in hearing, since we have not been obedient to the voice of God. Great is the guilt we have contracted in the whole of our walk and conduct, since we have walked in our own way rather than in God's, and done our own will rather than his. Now it is proper that we should call these things to mind, and humble ourselves before God on account of them, imploring mercy for every particular offence, and seeking a renovation of every particular faculty and member ; that so our powers may all become " instruments of righteousness unto God1." Not that we are to be so occupied with the consideration of our particular offences as to forget that we need a thorough renovation : no ; after having put the blood and oil on the parts which seem most to need their in- fluence, we should " pour the remainder of the oil upon our head," that it may flow over our whole bodyk, and that we may " be sanctified wholly in body, soul, and spirit1."]
2. United—
[Neither the blood nor the oil were on any account to be omitted in the purification of the leper : nor can either of them be omitted in the restoration of our souls to God. In vain shall we profess to be justified by the blood of Christ, if we be not also sanctified by his Spirit : and in vain shall we profess to have experienced a renovation of our souls by the influences of the
8 Eph. iv. 23, 24. h Col. i. 12. » Rom. vi. 13.
k ver. 18. '1 Thess. v. 23.