Introduction about Editing | Table of Contents | Chapter 1
Whatever is essential to Christian salvation, whether it be neglected, overlooked or mistaken by them, is of the saddest consequence both to themselves and the churches in which they minister. I say "essential" to salvation for I would not turn my own thoughts or call the attention of Christians to anything but the one thing needful, the one thing essential, to our rising out of our fallen state and becoming as we were at our creation-a holy offspring of God and real partakers of the divine nature.
If it be asked, "What is this one thing?" It is the SPIRIT OF GOD brought again to His first power of life within us. Nothing else is needed by us and nothing else is intended for us neither by the Law, the prophets or the gospel. Nothing else is or can be effectual in the making of sinful man into a godly creature. Everything else, however glorious and divine in outward appearance, everything that angels, men, churches or reformations can do for us is dead and helpless, unless it is the immediate work of the Spirit of God breathing and living in it.
All scripture bears full witness to this truth. The end and design of everything that is written is only to call us back from the spirit of Satan, the flesh and the world into the full dependence upon and obedience to the Spirit of God. Out of free love and thirst after our souls, the Spirit seeks to have His first power of life in us. When this is done, everything is done that the scripture can do for us. Read what chapter or doctrine of scripture you will and be ever so delighted with it; it will leave you as poor as empty and unreformed as it found you unless it be a delight that proceeds from and has turned you wholly and solely to the Spirit of God and strengthened your union with and dependence upon Him. For love and delight in matters of scriptures, while it is only a delight that is merely human, however specious and saint-like it may appear, is only the self-love of fallen Adam and can have no better a nature until it proceeds from the inspiration of God, quickening His own life and nature within us. That alone can have or give forth a godly love. If it be an immutable truth that "no man can call Jesus Lord but by the Holy Spirit," it must be a truth equally immutable that no one can have any Christ-like temper or power of goodness, except and in such degree as he is immediately led and governed by the Holy Spirit. The grounds and reasons of this are as follows.
Introduction about Editing | Table of Contents | Chapter 1
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