The work of the Holy Spirit - pagina 515

THE

PIETIST

What

good works.

of their

AND THE PERFECTIONIST is this

475

but to cultivate a spirit of Phari-

saism?"

We may not rest until this objection of is

the sensitive conscience

entirely removed.

Not as tho we could escape all dangers of Pharisaism. This would silence every exhortation to holy living. Light without shadows is impossible the shadows disappear only in absolute darkIn the days of the ancient Pharisee, Jerusalem, compared ness. with Rome and Athens, was a God-fearing city. Pharisaism was never more bold than in the days of Jesus. And history shows that the danger of Pharisaism has always been least in the Romish and greatest in the Reformed churches; and among the latter, it is strongest where the name of God is most exalted. Godliness is impossible without the shadow of Pharisaism. The brighter the light and glory of the former, the darker the shadow of the latter. To escape Pharisaism altogether one must descend into the lowest pest-holes of society, where nothing bridles the passions of men. ;

And

this is natural.

Pharisaism

is

not a

common

but the mildew of the noblest fruit the earth ever saw

The

corruption,

—

viz.

,

godli-

from Pharisaism also lack the highest good how, then, could it decay there? And the circles in which this danger is greatest are the very circles in which the highest good is known and exalted.

ness.

circles that are free

;

But, apart from this aimless skirmishing with the Pharisaic phantom, the scruple mentioned above has our heartiest sympathy. If it were true that sanctification so impressed the soul as to incite it to pride, it could not be the real article for of all unholiness pride is the most abominable. It is David's sweet and sincere supplication " Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins let them not have dominion over me then shall I be upright and shall be innocent from the great transgressions." The fundamental con;

:

;

;

ception of grace

ing a

little child,

is

so intimately connected with the idea of becom-

and

its gift is

disposition, that the gift

be a

so strongly conditioned

which encourages

upon a humble

spiritual pride

can not

gift of grace.

But we are confident that the doctrine of sanctification, as presented in these pages according to the Holy Scripture, has nothing in common with this caricature. Since in Paradise sin sprang from

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