_James 1:18_—“_Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth_”—here in connection with the special agency of God (not of mere natural law) the truth is spoken of as a means; _1 Pet. 1:23_—“_having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth_”; _2 Pet. 1:4_—“_his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature_”; _cf._ _Jer. 23:29_—“_Is not my word like fire? saith Jehovah; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?_” _John 15:3_—“_Already ye are clean because of the word which I have spoken unto you_”; _Eph. 6:17_—“_the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God_”; _Heb. 4:12_—“_For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two‐edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart_”; _1 Pet. 2:9_—“_called you out of darkness into his marvellous light._” An advertising sign reads: “For spaces and ideas, apply to Johnson and Smith.” In regeneration, we need both the open mind and the truth to instruct it, and we may apply to God for both. (_f_) It is a change instantaneous, secretly wrought, and known only in its results. _John 5:24_—“_He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me, hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life_”; _cf._ _Mat. 6:24_—“_No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other._” _John 3:8_—“_The wind bloweth where it will, and thou hearest the voice thereof, but knowest not whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit_”; _cf._ _Phil. 2:12, 13_—“_work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure_”; _2 Pet. 1:10_—“_Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure._” (_g_) It is a change wrought by God.