immured, and for the introducing of them into the light and liberty of God's dear children.
True it is, we may without any saving influences of the Spirit effect a previous work, like that of bringing together the kindred bones, and causing the flesh and skin to come upon them : but God alone can breathe life into them. We may bring them possibly to " a form of godliness ; but God alone can give the power:" and it is only when our " word comes to men in demonstration of the Spirit," that it ever proves " the power of God to the salvation " of their souls.
Such is our duty towards them : and that we may not draw back from it through despondency, let us consider,
III. Our encouragement to perform it —
We have the express promise of God to render it effectual. What can we want more ? The promise is repeated again and again ; " Ye shall live ;" " Ye shall live ;" " I will bring you up out of your graves, and ye shall liveg." And is not God able to do it ? Look at the heavens and the earth : Hath he created all these out of nothing ? hath he spoken them into existence by the word of his mouth, and is he not able to effect the conversion of the Jews? Has he declared that he will raise the dead at the last day, and bring into judgment every child of man ; and cannot he, who shall accomplish that in its sea- son, effect this also at the appointed time ? True, the bones are, as he has said, "dry, very dry :" but they are not beyond the reach of his power. What if the resuscitation of them be " marvellous in our eyes, must it therefore be marvellous in God's eyes?" (Zech. viii. 6.) His word in the mouth of Jews has been effectual for the conversion of the Gentiles; and that same word in the mouth of Gentiles shall be effectual for the conversion of the Jews : for " his hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither is his ear heavy, that it cannot hear." " Hath he
e ver. 5, 6, 12, 14.