The work of the Holy Spirit - pagina 466

'

'

FAITH

426 much more with my

my

heart than with

lips,

'

Tho

I

were a blasphemer

and a persecutor and all that is wicked, this is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ has come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. And, if need be, I am ready to '

sign this with

my blood,

every believer,

If

to the glory of sovereign g^ace.

he stands in

In this

way

this attitude, will feel inclined to testify

with me. " Fifth, it is this

knowledge by which I know, in the light of the Holy my soul through the Gospel Jesus Christ, as the most willing and most ready Savior, who not only has the power to save Spirit shining into

and

my soul to God, but who is also exceedingly willing to God, what is it that has brought about such a change in am dumb and ashamed. Lord Jesus, to stand before Thee, by

to reconcile

save me.

my soul?

'

My

I

reason of the wrong

I

have done Thee, and of the hard thoughts which

O

entertained concerning Thee,

precious Jesus!

I

thought that Thou

I

thought that the fault lay with Thee and was a willing sinner and that Thou hadst to be entreated with much crying and praying and tears to make of Thee, un-willing Jesus, a willitig Christ and I could not believe the fault lay

wast unwilling and I willing not with me I thought that ;

I

;

I

;

with me.

"This opposition or controversy often lasts a long time between the and Christ, and never ends until by the divine light one sees the willingness of Jesus. However, it must not be supposed that there has been no faith in the soul during that time. But it may be said that, altho there has been faith, there has been no exercise of faith in relation to this matter. And when this appears, the soul says With great shame and confusion of .soul I now see Thy willingness. Thou hast given me the evidence of Thy willingness by Thy coming into the world by Thy suffering of the penalty by Thy invitation to me, and by the perseverance of Thy work upon my heart. I recall my former unbelieving words, Thou art a spoken from the deep unbelief of my heart, and I cry out willing Christ and I was an unwilling sinner. My God, now I feel that Thou art too mighty for me. Thou hast persuaded me and now in this day of Thy power I will not and can not hesitate any longer, but with my sincere soul

'

:

;

;

'

'

:

;

hand

I

write

"The

it

down

that

I will

be the Lord's.

believing knowledge of the willingness of Jesus, in the light of

me

the Holy Spirit through the Gospel, makes

see

my

former unwilling-

But as soon as this light arises in the soul the will is immediately bent over and submissive. They who say that Jesus is willing, but that I remain unwilling, speak from mere theory but they lack the knowledge of faith, and have not discovered this truth. For as the .shadow follows the body, and the effect the cause, so is the believing knowledge of the willingness of Christ toward me immediately followed by my willingness ness.

;

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