Surely this is possible. The disciples could not receive the Holy
Spirit till Jesus was glorified; because not until then was the
foundation for perfect, intelligent, unwavering faith laid. But
since the day of Pentecost, He may be received immediately by
those who have repented of all sin, who have believed on Jesus,
and been born again. Some have assured me that they were
sanctified wholly and filled with the Spirit within a few hours
of their conversion. I have no doubt that this was so with many
of the three thousand who were converted under Peter's preaching
on the day of Pentecost.

But often this work is slow, for He can only work effectually as
we work with Him, practising intelligent and obedient faith. Some
days the work prospers and seems almost complete, and then peace
and joy and comfort abound in the heart; at other times the work
is hindered, and oftentimes almost or quite undone, by the
strivings and stirrings of inbred sin, by fits of temper, by
lightness and frivolity, by neglect of watchfulness and prayer,
and the patient, attentive study of His word; by worldliness, by
unholy ambitions, by jealousies and envyings, by uncharitable
suspicions and harsh judgments and selfish indulgences, and
slowness to believe.

"The flesh lusteth against the Spirit," seeks to bring the soul
back under the bondage of sin again, while the Spirit wars
against the flesh, which is "the old man," "the carnal mind." The
Spirit seeks to bring every thought into "captivity to the
obedience of Christ," to lead the soul to that point of glad,
whole-hearted consecration to its Lord, and that simple, perfect
faith in the merits of His blood which shall enable Him to cast