[March 6th, 1853.]
I. Meaning of the terms.
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Grace signifies goodness, love, divine influence.
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The means of grace are the means appointed and employed in applying to men the benefits of redemption. These are the word, the sacraments and prayer; or more properly, the word and sacraments.
II. Wrong views on this subject.
First, that which depreciates their importance, their necessity. This is done, 1. By those who teach that reason and nature contain, or may discover truth enough to sanctify and save the soul. This is disproved, (a.) By Scripture. (b.) By experience. 2. By those who teach that the Holy Spirit is given to all men as a revealer of truth. This is disproved, (a.) By the Scriptures, which everywhere teach the necessity of the written or preached word. (b.) By experience, which shows that wherever the written word is forsaken, and inward illumination relied on, the result is folly and heresy.
Second, the doctrine which attributes an inherent efficacy to these means, and teaches, 1. That they are the only channels of divine influence and of saving benefits. 2. That they are always efficacious. 3. That their efficacy is independent of the state of the recipient (if non-resisting), and of the ab-extra power of the Spirit.
III. The true doctrine on the subject, is,
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That they are absolutely necessary, except in the case of infants.
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That their efficacy is due to the attending power of the Spirit.
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That this power is given when and to whom God sees fit. That this divine influence, not being given independently of these means, our growth in grace depends on the proper use of them.
IV. The proper use of the means includes,
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A proper understanding of their nature and importance. If we approach the Scriptures or the sacraments with wrong views of their nature, either too low, as though they were merely human, or with superstitious views, as though they had magical power, we shall fail.
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A deep conviction of the necessity of divine influence, in order to render them efficacious.
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A due preparation of mind, preparatory to their use. This is secured, (a.) By discarding other things, and especially by forsaking sin. (b.) By awaking a desire for spiritual nourishment.
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The exercise, in the actual use of them, (a.) Of faith, as well as attention. (b.) Of self-application. (c.) Of the purpose to believe and act in accordance with the truth communicated.
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Prayer and converse with God.
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