2. By the conversion of some pious friend —
[We see not, in general, any thing remarkable in an accidental interview with a pious person ; whilst yet it may, perhaps, have been as particularly ordained of God for a special end, as the meeting of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. God especially directed Philip to join himself to the eunuch's chariot, and to explain to him a passage of Scripture which he was not able to comprehend. By this was the eunuch guided to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus, and made a partaker of everlasting salvation. Thus, persons sent to us, though they received not their commission in so plain and direct a way, have come to us under the same Divine guidance, and have been made alike successful in their efforts for our good. For similar benefits was Peter indebted to his brother Andrew, and Nathanael to his friend Philip1: and perhaps many amongst ourselves must trace our first awakenings to some event of this kind, even to a friendly suggestion from some pious or benevolent instructor.]
3. By the public ministry of the word —
[It is by this, for the most part, that God is pleased to separate, and seal us up, for his own. He sends home his word with power to the heart of one and another, just as he did to the heart of Lydia ; and causes them to surrender up them- selves to him, as his redeemed people. A whole assembly is present : but a discrimination is made by God, according to his sovereign will and pleasure ; who makes " the same word to be to some a savour of life unto life, whilst to others it becomes only a savour of death unto death V]
4. By the secret operation of his Spirit upon the soul —
[We see not the rod in the hand of the great Shepherd ; but he is using it every moment, for the purpose of separating a people for himself. By his good Spirit he imparts a sen- sation to the soul, a heavenly touch, of which the person himself perhaps, at first, is scarcely conscious. By that he en- lightens the eyes, and draws the heart; and prepares a person for fuller discoveries of his power and grace. Job says, " God speaketh once, yea, twice ; yet man perceive th it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed ; then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, that he may with- draw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man1." Doubtless, whatever is done by the Holy Spirit, is, and must ever be, in perfect accordance with the word : but his motions
1 John i. 40, 45. k 2 Cor. ii. 16. ' Job xxxiii. 14—17.