The work of the Holy Spirit - pagina 256

INTRODUCTION

2i6

Hence the discussion of the Holy Spirit's work in individuals demands that, while risking the danger of being called " scholastic

we

drivers,"

proceed

leave the paths of shallowness and generalities and

to careful analysis.

The Holy Spirit's operations upon

the

various parts of our being in their several conditions must be distin-

guished and treated separately

;

not only in the elect, but also in the

non-elect, for they are not the

same.

It

true the Scripture

is

God causes His sun to shine upon the good and the rain to come down upon the just and the unjust, so His evil, and every good gift coming down from the Father of nature that in teaches that

lights is

common

The Sun

of righteousness often shines

darkness

;

to all

;

but in the kingdom of grace this

is

not

so.

upon one, leaving another

and the drops of grace often water one

in

soul, while others

remain utterly deprived of them. Hence, altho the Spirit's work in the elect is of primary imporChrist was tance, yet it does not exhaust His work in individuals. set also for a fall to many in Israel and even this is wrought by ;

the witness of the Holy Spirit.

Not only the savor of life, but the savor of death also reaches the soul by Him as the apostle declares regarding those who, having received the gift of the Holy Ghost, had fallen away. His activity in them, and their condition when He begins His saving or hardening operations, must be carefully ;

noticed.

Of course,

man

this is not the place to discuss the condition of fallen

exhaustively.

This would require special inquiry.

more

things which perhaps elsewhere will be explained

Many

in detail

But it will serve our purpose such a clear view of the sinner's condition that he can understand us when we discuss the Holy

can here receive but passing notice. if

we succeed

Spirit's

By

in giving the reader

work upon the

sinner.

we understand man

and moves by dead in trespasses and sin alienated from the life of God wholly depraved and without strength; a sinner, and therefore guilty and condemned. And not only dead, but lying in the midst of death, ever sinking more deeply into death, which if not checked in its course opens underneath ever more widely, until eternal death stands rea sinner

nature,

i.e.,

without grace.

And

as he

is,

lives,

in that state

he

is

;

;

vealed.

This

is

the fundamental thought, the mother-idea, the principal

conception, of his state.

"

By one man

sin entered into the world,

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