"receive the seed in an honest and good heart:" we should " receive with meekness the engrafted word :" nor can we hope to profit, if we do not cultivate this disposition.]
With a desire to profit —
[The word of God is profitable for many blessed purposes p: yet it cannot be serviceable to us, if it be not received in faith11 ; but when applied to the soul, its operation is very powerful1". We should therefore at all times apply it to ourselves: we should go to the ordinances, as the sick to Bethesda's pool. Nor do we ever hear aright, except when we attend in this spirit s: it is the practical hearer only that derives benefit to his soul'.]
With an humble dependence on God's Spirit —
[It is God alone who " teacheth us to profit." Human labours, without his blessing, will be vainu. It is his work to open the understanding x, and the heart y. To him therefore should we look for the teaching of his spirit2. We should plead the promise which God has given usa — In this way we shall experience much benefit from the wordb. No obstacles whatever shall be able to withstand its power0: it shall be a rich source of grace and wisdom to usd. Let us then offer in sincerity that petition in the Litany e — ]
p 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17. «J Heb. iv. 2. r Heb. iv. 12.
s 1 Pet. ii. 2. t Jam. i. 22 — 25. u 1 Cor. iii. 7.
x Luke xxiv. 4,5. v Acts xvi. 14. z Eph. i. 17, 18.
a Isai. Iv. 10, 11. b Mic. ii. 7. c 2 Cor. x. 4.
d Col. iii. 16.
e " That it may please thee to give to all thy people increase of grace, to hear meekly thy word, and to receive it with pure affection, and to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit."