November 2007 - Protestant Reformed Churches in America

Protestant Reformed Theological Journal
conversion. Where was the prolonged conviction of sin in the
Samaritan woman (John 4), in Zacchaeus (Luke 19), in those converted
on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), in the apostle Paul (Acts
9), or in the Philippian jailor (Acts 16) In each of those conversions
the Spirit convicted of sin, and granted repentance from sin,
but there is no indication in Scripture that sinners lie for weeks,
months, even years under the terrors of conscience. Yet, this seems
to be the sine qua non in the Puritan doctrine of conversion. Thus,
Shedd writes, “the Holy Spirit does not ordinarily regenerate a
man until he is a convicted man, until … he has become conscious
of his need of regenerating grace.” 85 Surely, if he is a convicted
man, he is already regenerated. If he desires regeneration,
he has been born again. No unregenerate person desires regeneration.
The Canons of Dordt (I, 16) do not lay so many obstacles
before the sinner. There are those in the church who attend the
means of grace, and who do not “strongly feel” the evidence of
grace in them that they desire to feel. They ought not despair.
The Canons are not speaking of the unregenerate, in whom there
is no “living faith,” “peace of conscience,” “earnest endeavor after
filial obedience” (Canons, I, 16), but of those in whom these
graces operate but are not “strongly felt.” The Canons assume
such to be regenerate because they show the signs of being spiritually
alive. With true pastoral warmth the Canons encourage
such a trembling child of God:
Much less cause to be terrified by the doctrine of reprobation have
they who, though they seriously desire to be turned to God, to please
Him only, and to be delivered from the body of death, cannot yet
reach that measure of holiness and faith to which they aspire; since a
merciful God has promised that He will not quench the smoking flax,
nor break the bruised reed (Canons, I, 16).
If God has begun the work of salvation in a sinner (evidenced
by a hatred of sin, and a desire after holiness) He will bring it to
completion (Phil. 1:6). The bruised reed of Matthew 12:20 is
85. Shedd, Theology, vol. 2, p. 514.
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Vol. 41, No. 1