The Law of Spiritual Growth [pp. 608-640]

Law of Spiritual Growtlt.
ideas of experimental religion from the word of God. But we
are told that this second conversion is "only the entrance,
fully and consciously, by the right principle, upon the process
of sanctification-not sanctification completed." P. 60. if by
introducing the expression "fully and consciously," the author
intended to remind us that the process of sanctification has
been going on for years, it may be, but has only now for the
first time attracted the notice and recognition of the mind,
then we ask, why call that a second conversion which is only
an intellectual discovery of something which has long existed,
the mere opening of the mental eye upon a fact which had till
then escaped its observation? And why not, for the same
reason, call every subsequent addition to our knowledge of
spiritual things, a third, fourth, or fifth conversion, and so on to
the end? But if it is intended to express the idea that the
soul now for the first time, absolutely, enters by the right principle upon the process of sanctification, then the question
arises, How is it possible to conceive of a Christian who, after
he has been regenerated and justified, and has received the
principle of Divine life in his soul, continues for one, two, or
three years, or for "a whole life time," p. 200, 211, without
even entering upon the process of sanctification? For if he
does not enter upon that process by the right principle, he does
not enter upon it at all. The truth is, regeneration is itself the
beginning of sanctification, and glorification is sanctification
completed.
The author informs us, however, that this is a mistake; that
they who have experienced the second conversion have learned
that from the body of death, that is, from indwelling sin,
"there is deliverance now here in this life through faith in
Jesus." P. 266. They can unite with the apostle of the Gen tiles in his memorable affirmation, " I delight in the law of
God after the inward man;" but they have reached a height of
spiritual attainment which renders it impossible for them to
add, with him, "I see another law in my members, warring
against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to
the law of sin which is in my members."
In view of the sense in which the author employs the term
" second conversion," the reader will no doubt concur with the
1860.]
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