23.Wrought with divine power

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(J. C. Philpot, ""http://www.gracegems.org/Philpot/veil_taken_away.htm"The Veil Taken Away" 1844)

"Our gospel came to you not simply with words, 
 but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and
 with deep conviction." 1 Thessalonians 1:5

Most men's religion is nothing else but 
'a round of forms' . . .
  some have their 'doings', 
  some have their 'doctrines', 
  and others have their 'duties'. 

And when the one has performed his doings, 
the other learned his doctrines, and the third 
discharged his duties—why, he is as good a 
Christian, he thinks, as anybody. While all the 
time, the poor deceived creature is thoroughly 
ignorant of the kingdom of God, which stands 
not in simply in word—but in power. 

But as the veil of ignorance is taken off the heart, 
we begin to see and feel that there is a power in 
vital godliness—a reality in the teachings of the 
Spirit—that religion is not to be put on and put 
off as a man puts on and off his Sunday clothes. 

Where vital godliness is wrought with divine power 
in a man's heart, and preached by the Holy Spirit into 
his conscience—it mingles, daily and often hourly, 
with his thoughts—entwines itself with his feelings 
—and becomes the very food and drink of his soul.

Now when a man comes to this spot—to see and feel 
what a reality there is in the things of God made 
manifest in the conscience by the power of the Holy 
Spirit—it effectually takes him out of dead churches, 
cuts him off from false ministers, winnows the chaff 
from the wheat, and brings him into close communion 
with the broken-hearted family of God.

"Our gospel came to you not simply with words, 
 but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and
 with deep conviction." 1 Thessalonians 1:5

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