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p193 [T Roberts] DEAREST BROTHER, - The only thing I have to notice in your letter save to agree is, where you say we are sealed* 'on our believing in Christ, as the One who delivered us from the old man (the old Adam standing), . . . from sin within, and from the world; and this He does by having died for us when He put away our sins and our having died with Him,' etc. Now I judge from scripture that the sealing comes, or may come, consequent on our believing in Christ's death for the remission of sins, without including our having died with Him for deliverance. This too may be the case: it was mine. But sealing comes on forgiveness; for our being looked at then as clean, the Holy Ghost can come and dwell in us. Thus Peter, "Repent and be baptised every one of you for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." So when he preached to Cornelius, who was listening with faith, the moment he comes to "shall receive remission of sins" - as he spake these words the Holy Ghost came upon them: so Romans 5 - before the discussion of our not being in flesh is commenced. If we go through Romans 7 before Romans 3, as was my own case, then pardon and deliverance go together; but in these revival preaching days, many receive the remission of their sins before they have any self-knowledge, and have, though in a modified form (not substance), to go through Romans 7 afterwards. But this is always really law; namely, what is expected from us. But there is no deliverance without self-knowledge, and the work substantially of Romans 7.

{*"Having thus got life, we are afterwards sealed with the Spirit (Gal. 6); but according to Ephesians 1:13, this cannot be until we have believed in the gospel of our salvation, which I suppose would be" etc., as above.}

Forgiveness needs no such process. Convinced of guilt, no doubt we must be; but this supposes no knowledge of self - that is state, not acts which constitute guilt. There is no forgiveness of a nature; but where it was condemned, death came in (the cross), and so I am delivered.

As regards Rom. 6:11, and 2 Corinthians 4:10;* one is faith as to the truth and position, the other realising it in practice: Colossians 3 gives God's judgment, "Ye are dead"; Romans 6:11, man's faith as to having died with Christ as to the old man on the cross - I reckon myself dead; 2 Corinthians 4:10 realises it in practice. I always bear about in my body the dying, never let the flesh from under the power of Christ's death and cross, treating it de facto as a crucified thing that has no title to stir, though it be really there. Then God passes through circumstances which test how far it is realised; if we are faithful to verse 10, in the form of suffering for Christ, as was Paul's case; if not, to make practically good what is wanting. And this is the gracious history of many sorrows: He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous." The Lord be with you. If all be not clear, you can write to me.

Ever affectionately yours, dear brother.

{*'How do you distinguish fully between Romans 6:11, and 2 Corinthians 4:10? the former what faith reckons us, and the latter practically carrying out death and resurrection. But suppose I give way to the flesh or sin . . . am I out of the former as well as the latter?'}

[52118E]

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