(Thomas
Reade, "Christian Meditations")
"When the Spirit comes, He will convict the world
of its sin, and of God's righteousness, and of the
coming judgment." John 16:8
The teaching of the Holy Spirit is enlightening,
convincing, purifying, and consoling. The first
operation of the Spirit is light. This light, darting
into the conscience, produces conviction of sin,
by discovering, in all its hideousness, the
monster that dwells within!
Sin becomes truly odious when viewed by the
light of the Eternal Spirit. Its nature and effects
are then known, and felt, and deplored.
This sight of ourselves is truly humbling.
'Self-abhorrence' is the fruit of deep conviction.
Nothing can lay the sinner in the dust of humiliation
but the searching light of the Spirit. This candle of the
Lord, shining into the inward parts, into the chambers
of imagery, discovers the secret abominations which
are practiced there.
Oh what hidden evils are made manifest by the
light; evils of every name, the progeny of hell.
'Self-love' sickens at the view.
Pride shrinks before the appalling spectacle!
"The human heart is most deceitful and desperately
wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?" Jerem. 17:9