The work of the Holy Spirit - pagina 524

SANCTIFICATION

484

The seventh chapter spect.

St.

Paul says,

" I

of

Romans

is

very instructive in this

delight in the law of

God

after the

re-

inward

man," i.e., after my inward affections. There is indeed another law in his members, which brings him into captivity to the law of sin; but he has not the least love or sympathy for that law, but with the law of his mind wars against it.

Any

other representation contradicts this positive testimony,

mouth

most excellent of the apostles, under He that believes embraces the Son, and can not but receive impressions and be swayed by influences that cause his affections and inclinations to become radically changed. A believer is internally wrought upon. All his former dealings with the old man pride, hardness of heart, deceit, and thirst for revenge now fill him with horror what was formerly to him the pride of life and the lust of the eyes is now vexation of spirit, as he realizes how shameful and abominable it is. So he gradually dies to the old man, until, in the hour of death, uttered by the

of the

the seal of the Holy Spirit.

—

he

is fully

delivered.

—

;

God's child remains the old man's grave-digger

hour of his own departure. Nevertheless he dies to him so completely that at

until the

all

confidence in him, thoroughly convinced that he

last is

he loses

without ex-

an abominable wretch, a reprobate, and a deceiver, capable of And when occasionally he indulges in scornful mirth at the old man's pride and practises, it is not in boastfulness of his own work or of his fellow men, but glorying only in the gracious cuse,

all evil.

work

of his God.

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