Scripture, as God would have us do, we might perhaps conclude
that the cleansing and filling were as distinct and separate in
time as they are in this order of statement.

But other Scriptures give us abundant light on that side of the
subject. In Isaiah vi. 1-8, we have the record of the prophet's
sanctification, and we notice that the cleansing and the filling
were not separate in time. The cleansing was not _before_
the baptism, but _by_ the baptism. The "live coal" was laid
upon his mouth, and touched his lips; and by this fiery baptism
his iniquity was taken away and his sin was purged.

In Acts x. 44, we read of Peter's preaching Jesus to Cornelius,
the Roman centurion, and his household; and "while Peter yet
spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard
the word"; and in Acts xv. 7-9, at the first Council in
Jerusalem, we have Peter's rehearsal of the experience of
Cornelius and his household. Peter says: "Men and brethren, ye
know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the
Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the Gospel, and
believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness,
giving them the Holy Ghost, even as He did unto us; and put no
difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith."
Here we see that their believing, and the sudden descent of the
Holy Ghost with cleansing power into their hearts, constitute one
blessed experience.

What patient, waiting, expectant faith reckons done, the baptism
with the Holy Ghost actually accomplishes. Between the act of
faith by which a man begins to reckon himself "dead indeed unto