Slaying the Old Man with his Deeds.
By J. Clarke
WHAT should we think of the executioner, who would let the criminal, execrated for his crimes, sentenced, condemned by the law, and abhorred by God and men—what should we think of the executioner, who would let such a criminal slip through the noose prepared for his neck, and then run after him, and hang him again, using the second time a poor rope, which would break; and so continue hanging the criminal day after day? The very thought is shocking and repulsive. Not less shocking and repulsive is the fact that those for whom Christ died are to all intents and purposes doing the same thing in a spiritual sense. Thus, the "old man with his deeds," the carnal heart, is only half crucified, he keeps coming to life, and the poor christian of the nineteenth century is continually letting this carnal man escape from the cross where he is only partially crucified, just enough to make him squirm, and fret, and so the poor, lukewarm christian is continually at work, sometimes nailing old Mr. Carnal Mind to the cross, at others running after him, and so life is spent, and time wasted, and Christ is crucified afresh. Brother, this will not do. We must get a good rope, and when a good noose is prepared, we must get this troublesome individual's neck into it, and drop him, and let him hang there until he is dead, dead, dead. Individuals there are, perhaps, who have crucified the old man, but such persons are fewer than most persons imagine. Brethren, it is time to take the alarm. Who will kill the carnal mind, and crucify the old man? That is the only way for us to come to life. Sleeper, awake!
J. CLARKE.