The Richness Of The Vocabulary Of The Old Authors

There is something so wonderful about the richness of the vocabulary of the old preachers and hymn writers.  They have a depth, not only in vocabulary and education, but a spiritual depth that we need to draw from.  Jeremiah 6:16 says, “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.”  We have much to learn from those who have walked before us.  My husband has talked to me about the great doctrine that has been taught in the old hymns, such as “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”.  Just look at the words of those great hymns.  They say more than “I want You, I Need You”.  We have a generation growing up, knowing very little doctrine to hold them steady.  They know nothing of an anchor for their souls.  

I would love to share from many of the great writers such as Finney, Wesley, Edwards, and more.  However, I know that your time is precious and I will settle for one example  It is from Charles Spurgeon on the subject of The Anointing.  Since I have been sharing some blogs on this subject, as well as recently doing a series on it, I thought it was appropriate to add his thoughts on the subject.

It is called:  “Spices for Anointing Oil”, Exodus, 35:8, by Charles Spurgeon.

“Much use was made of this anointing oil under the law, and that which it represents is of primary importance under the Gospel.  The Holy Spirit, who anoints us for all holy service, is indispensable to us, if we would serve the Lord acceptably.  Without His aid, our religious services are but a vain oblation, and our inward experience is a dead thing.  Whenever our ministry is without unction, what miserable stuff it becomes!  Nor are the prayers, praises, meditations, and efforts of private Christians one jot superior.  A holy anointing is the soul and life of piety, its absence the most grievous of all calamities.  To go before the Lord without anointing is as though some common Levite had thrust himself into the priest’s office - his ministrations would rather have been sins than services.  May we never venture upon hallowed exercise without sacred anointings.  They drop upon us form our glorious Head; from His anointing we who are as the skirts of His garments, partake of a plenteous unction.  Choice spices were compounded with rarest art of the apothecary to form the anointing oil, to show forth to us how rich are all the influences of the Holy Spirit.  All good things are found in the divine Comforter.  Matchless consolation, infallible instruction, immortal quickening, spiritual energy, and divine sanctification all lie compounded with other excellencies in that sacred eye-salve, the heavens anointing oil of the Holy spirit  It imparts a delight fragrance to the character and person of the man upon whom it is poured.  Nothing like it can be found in all the treasuries of the rich or the secrets of the wise.  It is not to be imitated.  It comes alone from God, and it is freely given, through Jesus Christ, to every waiting soul.  Let us seek it, for we may have it, may have it this very evening.  O Lord, anoint thy servants.”