J.C. Philpot on the difference between the reprobate and the child of God in response to divine judgment

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alexanderjames

Puritan Board Sophomore
From the sermon “Winter afore Harvest”


“The second bud which expands to receive the warm sunshine is that of *hope*. It was, indeed, in the soul before. There is no new creation of this bud by the rays of the sun, but only an expansion, a development of it. In the midst of all the gloom and despondency which brooded over it, there was a secret something at the bottom of the soul which kept it from despair. When the floodgates of divine wrath are opened in the natural conscience of a reprobate, he is usually swept away by it into the blackness of darkness for ever. Saul falls upon his sword, and Judas hangs himself. In the natural conscience of a reprobate there is wrath in reality; and wrath, too, against the person as well as against the sin. In the spiritual conscience of the elect there is but wrath in apprehension; and that wrath against the sin, not against the person.

Thus the vessels of wrath call upon the mountains and rocks to fall upon them and hide them—their persons—from the wrath of the Lamb. The vessels of mercy cry, “Pardon our iniquity; for it is great.” Natural guilt drives the soul from God: “Let not God speak with us, lest we die” (Exo. 20:19). Spiritual guilt drives the soul to God: “Cast me not away from Thy presence” (Psa. 51:11); “Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens” (Lam. 3:40,41).
 
I would certainly recommend Philpot for his experimental preaching. His insight into the experiential life of the believer is incredible.
 
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