wounded spirit. Such was the benefit which David experi- enced from the word in his trials0; and such shall be expe- rienced by all who " make it their delight and their counsellor."]
3. It will sanctify us —
[The word of God is that which is made the means of our regeneration ; and the same is useful for the carrying on of the good work within us. The Apostles were purified in an emi- nent degree : and our Lord ascribes their sanctification to that as its proper cause ; " Now ye are clean, through the word that I have spoken unto youp." And St. Paul tells us, that Christ still makes use of it for that end : " He gave himself for the Church, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the wordq." Indeed its natural tendency is to effect this, because it points out to us our sins ; it makes us to see the guilt and danger in which they involve us; it directs our eyes to Him who will give us the victory over them; and it assures us, that, after we have vanquished all our spiritual enemies, we shall be partakers of endless glory and felicity. Having the precepts for our guide, and the promises for our encouragement, we shall " cleanse ourselves from all filthiness, both of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of Godr."]
4. It will save us —
[The word makes us not only wise, but " wise unto sal- tion." In this view St. Paul told the Corinthians that " he had preached the Gospel to them ; and that they had received it, and were standing in it ; by which also," says he, " ye are saved s." And O! how many myriads now in heaven can attest its efficacy in this respect ! How must they say, ' That word taught me, when ignorant ; quickened me, when dead ; comforted me, when afflicted ; strengthened me, when weak ; and enabled me eventually to overcome all my enemies ! ' And thus shall all of you say in due season, provided you " walk uprightly" in a diligent study of the sacred oracles, and in an humble obedience to the will of God.]
In improving this subject, we shall,
1. Guard it against misconstruction —
[It is possible that the foregoing statement may be mis- understood : we would therefore suggest some brief hints, by way of explanation.
First then, it is not the word that does the good ; but the Holy Spirit, by the word. If the word itself wrought any thing, its operation would be uniform and universal, or, at
0 Ps. cxix. 92. p John xv. 3. i Eph. v. 25, 26.
r 2 Cor. vii. 1. * 1 Cor. xv. 1, 2.