We do not learn that we are sinners merely by reading it in the
Bible. It must be wrought�I might say, burnt into us. Nor will
anyone sincerely and spiritually cry for mercy�until sin is spiritually felt and known�in its misery, in its dominion, in its
guilt, in its entanglements, in its wiles and allurements, in its filth
and pollution, and in its condemnation. Where the Holy Spirit
works, He kindles sighs, groans, supplications, wrestlings, and
pleadings to know Christ�feel His love�taste the efficacy of His
atoning blood�and embrace Him as all our salvation and all our
desire. And though there may, and doubtless will be, much
barrenness, hardness, deadness, and apparent carelessness often felt�still that heavenly Teacher will revive His work, though often by painful methods�nor will He let the quickened soul rest short of a personal and experimental enjoyment of Christ and His glorious salvation.
