The work of the Holy Spirit - pagina 392

:

CALLING AND REPENTANCE

352

Remember, therefore, from whence thou art fallen, and repent and do thy first works" (Rev. ii. 5). But in this connection we speak of saving conversion, of which we make the following remarks the faith,

First

e.g.

—

"

:

not the spontaneous act of the regenerate.

It is

Without

the Holy Spirit conversion would not follow regeneration.

Even Hence it is of primary acknowledge the Holy Spirit, and to honor His work

tho called, he could not

importance to as the

first

come

of himself.

cause of conversion as well as of regeneration and

call-

As no one can pray as he ought unless the Holy Spirit prays him with groans that can not be uttered, so no regenerate and

ing.

in

called person can convert himself as

he ought unless the Holy and continue the work in him. The redemptive work not like the growing plant, increasing of itself. Nay, if the saint a temple of God, the Holy Spirit dwells in him. And this in-

Spirit begin is is

dwelling indicates that everything accomplished by the saint

is

communion with, by the incitement and through the animation of the Holy Spirit. The implanted life is not an isolated germ left to root in the soul without the Holy Spirit wrought

in

him

in

and the Mediator, but it is carried, kept, bedewed, and fostered from moment to moment out of Christ by the Holy Spirit. As men can not speak without air and the operation of Providence vitalizing the organs of respiration and articulation, so it is impossible that the regenerated man can live and speak and act from the new life without being supported, incited, and animated by the Holy Spirit.

Hence when the Holy self, is

then there

is

Spirit calls that

man and he

turns him-

not the slightest part in this act of the will which

not supported, incited, and animated by the Holy Spirit. Second

— This saving conversion is

tary choice and act of the person

bom

also the conscious

again and called.

and volunWhile the

and impulse to speak must come from without, and my organs must be supported by the providence of God, yet it is J who speak. And in much stronger sense does the Holy Spirit in conversion work upon the wheels and springs of man's regenerated personality, so that all His operations must pass through man's ego. Many of His operations do not aflfect the ego, as in Balaam's case. But not so in conversion. Then the Holy Spirit works only air

of speech

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