Above all, he reveals the Saviour to the soul, and thereby changes the soul progressively into the Saviour's image ". This is precisely what St. Paul also has spoken in his Second Epistle to the Thessalonians : " We are bound to give thanks to God for you all, brethren, beloved, because God hath chosen you to salvation (there is the end) through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." Here are the means to that end, even faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and his atoning blood ; and the sanctifying operations of the Holy Spirit upon the soul0.]
Infer —
1. Of what infinite value are the souls of men !
[Every one carries about him a treasure which God himself covets. The Father has given his only dear Son to redeem it : and Christ has shed his own blood to purchase it : and the Holy Ghost is ever striving with us, to make us
surrender it up willingly to God O that men would
view their souls in this light, and bestow upon them the care which they so richly deserve ! ]
2. What encouragement has every man to seek after salvation !
[The doctrines of election, of faith in Christ, and of the influences of the Holy Spirit, are supposed by many to create despondency. But, if duly considered, they afford the best possible antidote to despair. Suppose a person to be bowed down under a sense of his own guilt and weakness, is it no comfort to him to reflect, that the Father may elect whomso- ever he will; that the blood of Christ is sufficient to cleanse from guilt even of the deepest dye ; and that the Holy Spirit can renew and sanctify a soul, however inverate its corruptions be ? Let this then be the improvement made of these doctrines; and they will soon commend themselves by their cheering and transforming efficacy ]
n 2 Cor. iii. 18. ° 2 Thess. ii. 13.