by J. C. Philpot
in epub, .mobi & .pdf formats
In these days of error, it is most necessary that the children of God, who would not be entangled in the snares of the enemy, should be well grounded and established in the truth; and this by the teaching and testimony, work and witness of the blessed Spirit. For lack of this heavenly instruction, how many who are weak in the faith or ignorant of Satan's devices are caught with some new view, some novel interpretation of a text, some subtle, plausible explanation of a passage in which, could they see into the real intention of the writer or speaker, they would at a glance perceive some abominable heresy couched. But when the truth has been made sweet and precious to the heart by an unction from above, and becomes endeared to the soul by being made the power of God unto salvation, there is communicated thereby a spiritual insight which, as if instinctively, detects error by the distaste which is felt towards it, as jarring with the Spirit's inward teaching. One so taught, to use a figure, is like a person possessed of a musical ear, who detects at once a false note, even where there has not been much, if any, musical education.
Many of the dear family of God, as possessed of this heavenly teaching, feel who cannot argue, believe who cannot reason, love who cannot explain. These are ever feeling after truth, feeling for its power in their own hearts; and when this power is made experimentally known, when it comes as a gracious, heavenly influence into their souls, and drops with the dew and unction of the Spirit into their consciences, there is raised up and drawn forth thereby a living faith, a confiding trust, a silent witness within to its reality and blessedness, by which it is sealed, as with the very voice of God. In this divine witness to the power of the truth are couched all their hopes which anchor within the veil, all the tokens for good which, as so many waymarks, line their struggling, suffering path, all the comfort which supports them as a cordial under all their afflictions and sorrows in life, and all the confidence which they have in the Lord's faithfulness to his promises; for as the truth is thus sealed with a heavenly unction on their bosom, it gives them an assurance of a saving interest in it which makes it unspeakably sweet and precious, as a sure pledge of an incorruptible, undefiled inheritance, which does not fade away.
If, then, our Meditations on the Person and work of the blessed Spirit should lead any of the dear family of God into clearer views of that heavenly Teacher and most benevolent Comforter, or in any way strengthen their faith, confirm their hope, brighten their evidences, establish their minds, draw forth their affections, and fix them more deeply and firmly in the truth, we shall not grudge the labor both of time and thought which it demands to set it forth in any way adequate to its vast importance and divine blessedness.
A big thanks to Grace Gems for the files.
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Table of Contents
The Titles and Deity of the Holy Spirit
The Necessity of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit's Divine Personality, Part 1
The Holy Spirit's Divine Personality, Part 2
The "Covenant Offices" of the Holy Spirit
The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification
The Spirit's Work of Repentance