The work of the Holy Spirit - pagina 511

PERFECT IN PARTS, IMPERFECT

IN

DEGREES

471

former the question arises whether the transition from the sanctification. unto the latter is the same as the gradual increase of answers it negaGenerally the answer is affirmative but Scripture

Now

;

tively, for reasons as clear as daylight.

Convincing proof we find

In verse 12 St. Paul says, " I am not yet perfect"; puts and directly after that (ver. 15), and in the same connection, he himself offers he yea. himself just as distinctly among the perfect;

in Phil.

12-15.

iii.

even as their example.

under the direct leading of the perHoly Spirit, declares in the same moment that he is not yet the perfect, the of example fect, and that he is perfect, yea, the It is

"

word in the

evident that

perfect"

one

it

may

when

St. Paul,

not be taken in the same sense in both cases;

must have a

different

meaning from that

in the other.

They who believe in gradual sanctification should not appeal to and similar passages to support their doctrine. Such misap-

this

who

plication of Scripture is grist for the mill of the Perfectionists,

with good reason reply

with saints

'

:

"

The apostles were evidently acquainted

wholly sanctified' like ourselves."

And what

the difference?

is

and a man are not the same the latter is physically A The latter having attained manhood full grown, the former is not. refined, enters upon the new process of becoming nobler, more attained inwardly stronger. The oak continues to grow until it has But this is not years. its full height, which process covers many child

;

development.

On

the end of

its

acquire

iron qualities until

its

the contrary,

it is full

it

does not begin to

The

grown.

child

is

sent

Having passed through to school for the exercise of its powers. he successive institutions, and being graduated from the highest, finished receives his diploma which declares that his education is and that he is ready to enter upon his life's career i.e. his education ;

is

finished so far as the school is concerned.

ply that he has nothing more to learn. is finished,

,

this does not im-

the contrary, only

now

actual condition of things.

and and yet he only begins to

are his eyes opened to see the reality

His education

On

But

learn. *

And the same applies to those whom Scripture calls " perfect. A new convert should first go to school, and not, after the practise of Methodism,* *

be directly put to work to convert others as a per-

For the author's sense in which he takes Methodism, see section

the Preface.— Trans.

5 of

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