The work of the Holy Spirit - pagina 250

INTRODUCTION

2IO

tinintentipted, continuous act,

cree

whose end

is

whose

starting-point lies in the de-

in the glorification before the throne.

There

tains nothing formal or mechanical.

eighteen centuries

first,

during which

God

is

aration of objective grace, without a single gracious

vidual souls.

Neither

is

It

con-

not a period of occupied with the prepis

work

in indi-

there salvation prepared only for possible

Nay, the love of God souls whose salvation was still uncertain. never works toward the unknown. He is perfect, and His way is perfect hence His love always bears the high and holy mark of proceeding from heart to heart, from person to person, knowing During all the day and reading one with perfect knowledge. while Cain was being judged while Noah and his eight were safe in the ark while Abraham was called, and Moses talked with Jehovah face to face while the seers were prophesying, the Baptist appeared in public, Jesus ascended Calvary, and St. John was seeing visions throughout all those ages God foreknew us (if we are His own), the pressure of His love went out steadily toward us. He called us before we were, in order that we might come into being; and when we had come into being. He led us all our days. Even when we rebelled against Him and He turned His face from us, even then He led us as our true and faithful Shepherd. Surely all things tnust work together for good to them that love God, even the lives and characters of their ancestors—yi?r they are the called ;

;

;

;

—

according to His purpose. Instead of being cold and formal,

it is

rather one act of love,

From its founmany highlands be-

energizing, pouring forth, shedding itself abroad.

tain-head on the highest mountains, traversing fore

it

pours

can reach you, divine love flows on, ever restless, until

it

Hence the apostle boasts that at blessed end in his person and in Rome's

itself forth into yottr soul.

last love

had attained

this

beloved church. " Now we have peace with God, because the love of God (moving toward us from eternity) at last has reached us, and is

now shed abroad in our heart." And this does not mean that now we

possess a pure love of our own, but that the love of God for His elect, having descended from on high and overcome every obstacle, has poured itself into the deep bed of our regenerated hearts. And to this He adds the grace of making the soul understand, drink, and taste of that love. And when in contrition and shamefacedness the soul loses itself in love's delights and in the adorations of its eternal compassion, then

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