od. This depravity is so
deeply embedded in, and interwoven into, our affections and nature,
that, like a closely fitting garment, it seems a part of us; and were
it not for the plain teachings of the word of God, and the power of the
all-cleansing blood of Christ which can reach the inmost center of our
nature, purging out all unnatural tendencies and unholy tempers, the
justified believer might conclude that this inborn depravity must be
permitted to exist and remain with us all through life. But thank God!
there is a remedy in this great redemption plan. The heart can be
purified and become a holy temple for the indwelling of the Holy Ghost.
This depends upon the plainly specified conditions taught in the word of
God. He will prepare the temple for his abode if we but furnish him an
absolute consecration of the temple. This is our part in this
preparatory stage of the work of sanctification. In order that he may
purify our nature, we must yield up to him everything that is to be
purified. This process involves the loss of all things; for when the
heart is thus yielded, everything that it clings to is also yielded, and
then, and only then, can the blood of Christ be applied for a perfect
cleansing. This is where the subtraction work is effected, where every
vestige of depravity is removed from the heart; because it has for this
purpose yielded to Jesus. The following scripture sets forth this
experience.

* * * * *

"Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of
sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."--Rom.
6:6. It cannot be improved upon nor cultivated. It is sinful in nature,
and must be dealt with according to the redemption law of crucifixion.
It is condemned and must die. It is utterly worthless to God, and
harmful to man; therefore, it must die. It clings to life with
remarkable tenacity, and it is not within the power of man alone to put
it to death. It has so entwined itself into our affections that they and
each of their objects must be absolutely yielded up to death, even the
most sacred treasures of the heart; so that the true work of purity may
be perfectly wrought within us. To simply yield up our old man for his
destruction would be but a pleasant sacrifice; for every justified
believer who has obtained the knowledge of this enemy within becomes
anxious for his destruction. It is not the yielding up of our old man,
theref