But there are the same broad and general features in all cases, and I venture to think that these are in a cursory way stated in our little sketch. Let it never be forgotten, however, that no certain amount of conviction is needed before Christ will accept a coming sinner. The degree of conviction is needed, not to induce Christ to welcome us, but to constrain us TO COME to Him. And if a man has had conviction enough to constrain him to flee to the Saviour, he has quite enough for his present need. Regeneration, which gives life to the soul dead in sins, is always instantaneous, though it may have needed much preparation ere the soul was fitted to receive it.
Salvation includes sanctification, and that is a life-long process.
And as for himself, the apostle took his own advice, for he felt that he had not yet attained that for the attainment of which Christ had laid hold on him, and so, forgetting the past, he pressed on, and on, and on, with ever-growing eagerness, to reach heights which hitherto he had never reached. Now, all this is both a joyful and often a sorrowful experience. He is thereby sent, day after day, to Christ afresh, who becomes to him more and more all his salvation and all his desire.