That is, there will be an increasing strength and stability
of character, as the result of a constantly deepening
experience, and enlargement of the capacity ; and an
increase of the perceptivity of the mind in regard to
spiritual things. While this result must be ascribed to
the direct influence of the Holy Spirit, by whom Christ,
the True Vine, communicates life and strength to the soul,
there can be no doubt that the law of habit — a law which
very powerfully affects both body and mind — has much to



280 THE MORNING STAB.
do (under the Holy Spirit's influence) with our establish-
ment in holiness. As one habitually exercises himself in
trust, watchfulness, and prayer ; in holy thoughts, and in
the practice of all the Christian virtues, these holy habits
become more and more fixed, and in the same proportion
his heart is established in the love of God and the right-
eousness of Christ.
POSSIBILITY OF SINNING.
No man who rightly understands the Bible in view of
the fact that even angels have sinned, and that Adam
and Eve whom God created holy, fell, will attempt to
maintain that because a man is sanctified, therefore he
can not sin. And on the other hand it is just as unscrip-
tural to deny the possibilUy of being kept from sinning.
Think a moment on such texts as these: "To him that is
able to keep you from falling," etc.; **Kept by the power
of God," etc.
Christ commands us to abide. Then it must be possible^
else Christ is unreasonable. He says, also, by the mouth
of his servant, " He that abideth in him sinneth not,"
Therefore, it is possible to be kept from sinning.
TEMPTATION.
