Nature and blessedness of Christian purity ...

Front matter

HIB RAM OF CONGRESS.

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Holmes. Daguerreotype

Preface

Reader, what is the great object of life ? Is it not to he good, and to do good, and thus to glorify God ? I am sure I should do you great injustice to suppose you capable to return any other answer. But this sentiment is precisely my apology for presenting you the following treatise. No other consideration would have brought it before the public. Its author has no other object to subserve — no other aim to gratify. It comes to you on a mission of love, with a sincere desu^ for your welfare, and a single intention to promote it. He wishes to do good, and would avail himself of the widest means. I know you will commend the object — I trust you will approve the method. He might have contented himself in his ordinary pulpit and private ministrations; but then he reflected, that possibly he might extend the sphere of usefulness by employing other agencies. If he reaches thousands with his voice, he remembered, that he might reach thousands more with the pen. If he impresses a few in pubhc assemblies, and in friendly circles, he reflected, that he might reach others in their retirement, and impress them in their solitude. If he speaks to some now, he remembered, that " the night coraeth in which no

4 PREFACE.

man can wark," when his voice will be silent — he might speak, when dead, throiigh the printed page. This hope of widening the sphere of usefulness, and extending it through a longer period, decided him. Is it a chimerical hope ? He trusts not. If any good shall be done to any one, that would not have been done without the publication, he will be amply repaid, and rejoice that *'he has not run in vain, neither laboured in vain." If a single soul shall be saved, he will feel that such a result would have been worth an eternity of toil ; if any shall be quickened to higher exertion, his effort will be a thousand times compensated.

One word more, and the preface concludes. The author is painfully sensible that his production has many defects, but he believes that they are such as will not be injurious to the reader — blemishes rather than poisons. For these he asks your indulgence. Conscious of the sincerity of his motives, and hoping for the Divine benediction, he sends it forth upon its mission, trusting to find, in the day of the Lord Jesus, that it has produced some fruit. May the great Head of the Church bless both writer and reader, and bring them to that realm where they shall see eye to eye, and know as they are known I

Contents

Introduction Page 7

Chapter I. The Occasion", Nature, And Object Op The Work

Things seen and things unseen contrasted— Privilege of believers — Privilege of the race— State of the Church— Important quotations— The present crisis— The want of the Church — Precise object of the present work 17

Chapter II

CHRISTIAN PRIVILEGE, OR THE HIGHEST ATTAIWABLE MORAL AND SPIRITUAL EXCELLENCE DESCRIBED.

Method of the discussion stated and justified — Statement of theories — Particular discriminations — View of the author elaborated — What he includes, and what he does not include, in the highest attainable spirituality— Different from mere justification 37

CHAPTER IIL -

HOLINESS ATTAINABLE.

Many things desirable not attainable— Method of arriving at the Scriptural proofs— Proofs adduced— Scriptural proofs— Inferential— Consequential— Logical— Death purification refuted 78

Chapter IV. Objections Considered

Seeming weight and plausibility of many objections— Need refutation— Not generally believed— Not generally experienced— Contrary to the word of God— Passages examined— Promotive of pride— Those who profess it not better than others— Impossible to live witliout sin 103 b CONTENTS.

Chapter V. Means For The Attainment Op Holiness

Importance of this chapter — Discouragements — A state of mind presupposed — Distinct object— Sense of need— now procured— Willingness— Desire— Determination— Entire consecration- Faith— Faith described— An error— A second error Page US

Chapter VI

EVIDBNCfES BY WHICH ONE MAY KNOW THAT HE IS ENTIRELY SANCTIEIEa>.

Unhappiness of doubt — Danger of false security — No need of deception — How religious experience is authenticated to the mind— Witness of the Spirit— Phenomena immediately attending this blessing— Fruits 142

CHAPTER Vn.

HOW HOLINESS MAY BE RETAINED AND REGAINED WHEN LOST.

Information upon the subject of retaining grace as important as upon the point of obtaining — Watching against sin — Resistance of temptation — Use of the ordinary means— Perpetual consecration— Living by faith— Living by the moment— How this blessing is to be regained if lost 162

Chapter VIII. Hinderances To The Attainment And Retainment

Defective and unsound teaching — Extravagancies and inconsistencies — A distorted state of things— Prejudices— Unwillingness.-... .....-,... 175

Chapter IX. Motives To Holiness

Its intrinsic excellence — God requires it — The interest of the cause of truth and religion— The present condition of the Church and the world— Motives derived from eternity 184

Chapter X. Advices To Christians Professing This High Attainment

Valuable advices of Mr. Wesley^Be not over anxious to profess — Not over anxious to suppose the work done— Suggestions to such as malie no profession— A useful extract from Wise's "Path of Life" 196

Introduction

In writing, as we must do, a hasty Introduction to Mr. Foster's book on Christian Purity, we deem it improper and out of taste, though it may not be out of fashion, to introduce extraneous subjects. In our judgment, an introduction to a book should be a modest, truthful statement of its character and claims. We shall proceed upon this principle.

The work is divided into ten chapters, with descriptive headings. The first chapter is properly the author's introduction. It is addressed to the reader, and headed, " The Occasion, Nature, and Object of the Work.'' The too great influence of " the things which are seen and temporal," the exigences of the Church, which imperiously demand that all her members should come "unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ," and the author's intense desire to see the Church awake and put on her strength, and put on her beautiful garments, are the occasion of the book.

What does the Gospel propose to us as our present personal privilege ? What, as to moral and spiritual excellence, has it for me, now ? These are the grand inquiries which the author proposes to answer. Consequently his theme must be, " The fulness of the Gospel of Christ " — The holiness of the Bible — The perfectness to which Christians may attain by Divine gi'ace in this probationary estate. What a theme ! What spiritual beatitudes has Infinite Love secured to us in this life by the agonies of Calvary ? How fully can the Infinite Spirit which worketh in us mightily transform us now, whilst on earth ? To what present attainments does the word of God invite us, and the authority of God bid us ? How sweet and sublime the office of answering these questions ! — to concentrate the rays of Holy Scripture on this glorious subject, and in the strong light thus furnished, enable the inquiring disciple to see clearly and fully his high calhng of God in Christ Jesus. This work has been happily performed by the author in this book.

In executing this important work, the author has not set himself forth as a theological reformer. He has given no new and novel theory. He has set up no rivalry with other writers on the subject. He has made no assaults upon standard Wesleyan authorities. He has not attempted to modify the long and generally received and cherished doctrines of the Methodist Church on this question ; nor has he, as a sectarian, laboured to controvert the opinions of other Churches, The work is also unencumbered with philosophical and metaphysical speculations. It is an earnest, practical treatise on the subject. It is a meek, ardent, prayerful effort, vividly to exhibit the principles and glories of Christian Purity, and to urge and enforce its claims. Surely such a book needs no apologist. It cannot find opponents among earnest, devoted Christians. All such will hail its advent. They will welcome it as another welladapted instrumentality to promote vital godliness in the world ; as a channel through which the crystal waters of the river of life may flow into human hearts, which are hungering and thirsting after righteousness ; as an efficient agency for leading sinners to that blood which cleanse th from all sin. Such are the manifest as well as professed

INTRODUCTION. U

objects of the work, tlie spirit with which it is imbued, and the abihty with which it is executed, that they cannot fail to secure for it the favourable regard even of those devout, holiness-loving Christians who may dififer from the author relative to some of the views he has set forth. If they cannot embrace all his sentiments, they will fellowship his spirit. No one in the enjoyment of Bible holiness, and anxious for its spread and prevalence in the Church and in the world, will doubt that the circulation of this little volume will do good — will be promotive of the glory of God in the sanctification of his children. In order to this, it is not necessary that the book should be better than the Bible, or even superior to the writings of Wesley, and Fletcher, and Watson, and Merritt^ and Peck, and Bangs, and others, on this subject. Without claiming this pre-eminence, the work may be highly useful. It may relieve some minds of their perplexities concerning the nature of sanctification, the way of its attainment, or its evidences. It may present the motives to its pursuit in a way that, to some persons, will be more fascinating, or more pungent and successful. Again : eveiy man has his circle of influence. Each author on this subject will secure some readers that would not give attention to the writings of others. Here is a power for good that ought not to be lost. Yerily, if there is any subject on which we need line upon line, and precept upon precept, the theme of this book is that subject.

If there is any religious truth that should be urged upon the disciples of Jesus, with the sweetness of his constraining love, and the solemnity of his Divine authority, it is the truth, that Christians may, and ought to be holy. O that tens of thousands of individuals, filled with its bliss, and inspired by its power, were telling of its charms, and inviting to its pursuit ! that tens of thousands of spiritual hmners, the Holy Spirit guiding their pencils, were actively and ceaselessly engaged in portraying the glories of this subject to the vision of the Church, until every member of it, ravished by its beauties, and impelled by its attractions, would aspire to its attainment, by faith enter into its enjoyment, and then join in labours to spread it ! Reader, before you proceed further, stop and pray for this. Holiness is the greatest good — the highest destiny of the militant Church, and the most precious interest of the race. A holy Church would soon make a holy world. If the Church were without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, her hght could not be hid. When the Church puts on her entire strength, her influence must be triumphant in the world. When her hearts, and hands, and means, and influences, are all devoted to God and his cause, her aggressive movements will be mighty, will be world- saving. As this book wisely instructs, judiciously and faithfully admonishes, and affectionately and earnestly invites, the Church to heed this duty — to secure^, this interest, it cannot fail to be highly useful. Its literarjg character is good. The style will interest most readers. But the author has not been careful about this. He has, sought to give the work higher claims. In this he has sue-, ceeded. To interest the reader in the subject, and not in the book, is his aim. Stupid, indeed, must that reader be who is not interested in the subject. The truth set forth is susceptible of illustration, but it is above ornament. It may be so held to the light as to enable uis to examine it advantageously, but a gilded casing would not befit it.

The author, in the first chapter, having in a general way set forth his subject, in the second chapter takes up this specific topic, — Christian Privilege, or the highest Attainable

INTRODUCTIOK. 11

Moral and Spiritual Excellence. In tlie commencement of the chapter he gives a very succinct statement of the different theories, both philosophical and religious, which have been propagated. This grouping together of these theories enables the reader to discern the beauty and harmony of the true, and the deformity and deficiency of the false, — a most happy method of exhibiting truth. In giving his own views, the author shows the difference between justification and sanctification. He does not, however, depreciate the former in order to exalt the latter. They are not rival but mutual truths. They are not conflicting graces, struggling for pre-eminence in the heart, but harmonious graces, — the grace of regeneration leading to the grace of sanctification, and sanctification perfecting what is begun in regeneration. It is not therefore necessary to lower the one in order to elevate the other. The glories of the latter are so excelling that it is hot necessary to obscure the real glories of the former to render them visible. In stating the nature of this attainment the author has not so sublimated and etherealized it as to make sincere inquirers utterly despair of attaining it. Neither has he so simplified and explained away the subject of sanctification as to lead ordinary believers to say. The state is so little in advance of what I now enjoy that I feel no great concern about it. These extremes have been carefully avoided. I will ask the candid reader of this chapter to mark what is said of the effect of sanctification upon character. From not understanding this, most imfortunate mistakes have occurred. Let the point be well considered. A correct understanding of it will aid us greatly in judging of our own experience, and appreciating the Christian character of others. This chapter concludes with a most pungent appeal to the reader to become holy, — by grace, through faith in Christ, immediately to attain to the highest moral and spiritual excellence.

The object of the third chapter is, to prove the attainableness of the state of grace presented and illustrated in the preceding one. This is, therefore, a chapter of engrossing interest. Is the beautiful theory of holiness exhibited a true one ? Is the blessed experience of moral purity described a real one ? May all Christians understand this subject, and enjoy this felicity, in this life ? Who can answer these questions satisfactorily ? What authority can determine them infallibly and eternally, beyond doubt and beyond controversy ? Every pious heart will say, let me hear the voice of God in response to these inquiries. Nothing but a " Thus saith the Lord," can remove all my doubts and confirm my faith. In reading this chapter your utmost wish may be gratified. The author invokes no other authority, consults no other oracle. He rests the entire question upon the Scriptures of Divine truth. By an ingenious yet simple and ample collation of Scripture proofs, he has demonstrated the truthfulness of his doctrines. He has done more : he has shown most conclusively, that this is the great object and aim of the Gospel economy ; that for this purpose Christ died, the Holy Scriptures. were given, the means of grace instituted, and the offices and agency of the Holy Ghost furnished. Verily no one can carefully consider these Scripture arguments and not feel in his heart that " It is the will of God, even his sanctification."

The author, in his intense desire to leave no lingering doubt upon any mind, to remove every stumbling-block out of the way of every person, and to hold up the truth in undimmed effulgence to every beholder, devotes the fourth chapter to answers to the various objections which have been (sometimes honestly and sometimes captiously) m-ged against the doctrine of Christian hohness, as he inculcates it. These objections are candidly stated, calmly considered, and fully answered. The reader will find in this chapter an able exegesis of those passages of Scripture which have been supposed to teach a different doctrine from the one set forth in this treatise. The harmony of the Scriptures on this subject is made most manifest.

Most of the readers who have progressed through a careful examination of these several chapters, will be led with more or less anxiety to inquire, How is this great good to be obtained? How is this rich grace to be sought and realized ? We beheve many of those who have read the portions of the book already noticed, will ask, these questions with trembling concern, with burdened hearts. The author has anticipated the uprising of these questions in the minds of his readers at this point, and in the next chapter furnishes his answer. Probably no portion of the work will be read more frequently, or with more intense concern, or greater profit than this. Fisher Ames, in his funeral eulogium upon Hamilton, states, that that illustrious orator made his discourses complete maps of his subjects. The subject of this chapter is, the way of attaining Christian holiness. The author's map exhibits the way of. faith in Christ. Then the several stand-points on the road, and the difi"erent stages of progress are carefully noted. The dangerous diverging paths are also faithfully exhibited. Still the way is not, in itself, a difficult, tedious, and tiresome one. It is not a long, weary, and perilous pilgrimage, to travel the whole length of it. For though the distance may actually be considerable, yet the facilities fm-nished for transporting us over it enable us to pass it very quickly. The grace of God, like telegraph electricity, almost annihilates distance, as to time. "We are sanctified by grace through faith — ^therefore it may be now. That blood which cleanses from all sin has been' shed ; Christ ever lives to intercede for those who seek its application ; the Holy Spirit waits to aid them in their exercises, and to transform them into the Divine nature and image ; all things are ready, — consequently, whosoever exercises the faith described in this chapter will enter into the fruition of holiness.

The sixth chapter explains the evidences of entire sanctification. These are the direct witness of the Holy Spirit, and the indirect, or inferential and confirmatory evidences of its fruits. Certainly a state of grace so exalted and blessed, is not without its corresponding manifestations. It is reasonable here to expect the richest, ripest, and most luxuriant and luscious fruits found in the garden of the Lord. We ask the reader's attention to the distinctiveness of these evidences — or their variations from the evidences of justification — as the author has stated them.

The seventh chapter is one of great practical importance. It discusses these two topics — How may holiness be retained, and, when lost, how may it be regained ? Few, if any, writers have treated these topics specifically and formally. And yet how vast their importance! !N"early, or perhaps all, evangelical Churches have their books of counsel and admonition, and encouragement for young converts. They are entering upon a new life, assuming new responsibilities and duties, and going into new scenes and untried circumstances ; and all feel that they should share, in a special degree, the sympathies and assistances of the Church, and pre-eminently so of their pastors. But who has evinced a corresponding interest in behalf of those who are just entering upon the enjoyment, the profession, and the practice of hohness ? Are there no special responsibihties devolring upon them ? Are there not temptations and trials in their path ? Will no evil one seek to rob them of this richer treasure ? Will no malicious foe seek to cast them down from this loftier eminence ? Such persons are still in probation ; they are still encompassed v/ith infirmities ; they are still surrounded with wily and potent enemies ; they will have an additional and new class of temptations to contend with ; they will be called to a new and higher series of exercises, both of heart and life, and, consequently, will need all the aids which the entire economy of the Gospel provides and permits. How kind and useful then is the office of one who is experimentally and practically acquainted with all the peculiarities of this station, to furnish to all who will receive them, such warnings, and directions, and exhortations as are needful and appropriate ! This has been done by Mr. Foster in this chapter, with an affectionate pastoral spirit, and with great plainness, and considerable minuteness. I regard this as a very important service to the cause of Christian hohness, and one that gives to this book much of its intrinsic value.

The next effort of the author, is to show the insufficiency of the supposed or real hinderances to the attainment and permanent enjoyment of this grace. So clear and searching has been the investigation of these, that no reader can fail to see that there is nothing insurmountable in his difficulties — consequently no sufficient reason why he should not seek and possess the blessing. Having brought his reader to this inevitable conviction, he now plies his understanding, and conscience, and heart, with the mighty motives of truth and love, to bring him to a prompt, determined, and suecessful pursuit of this high and glorious attainment. In this appeal to the reader to seek hohness, the transcendent and entrancing glories of the subject itself, are held up to win and allure to its pursuit. The authority of God, rightfully and positively requiring it, is urged. It is represented as the great pre-requisite for eminent usefulness. And the exigencies of the Church are shown to demand such usefulness of all her members, and the glory of God to require it of all his people. The eternal interests involved are pressed upon the attention. This appeal is forcible, fervent, eloquent, searching, startling. ! I pray that it may awake multitudes to the high destiny of holiness on earth, and its eternal beatitude in heaven !

The concluding chapter is taken up with general and particular advices to Christians, whether in the enjoyment of holiness or otherwise. These counsels are exceedingly pertinent and timely. They are highly instructive and interesting. They make a beautiful conclusion to this interesting volume. I conclude this introduction by expressing the hope, that every one that reads it, will also read, with candour and much prayer, the entire volume. I have noticed some parts more particularly than others, but all should be read. Study the book as a whole. If you find some things which you cannot approve, we are certain you will find much to admire, and much that will contribute to your religious edification. Edmund S. Janes.

New-York, March l8tL 1851.

CHRISTIAN PUEITY.

Chapter I. To The Reader

THE OCCASION, NATURE, AND OBJECT OF THE WORK.

*' The things wliicli are seen " need no apologist to urge their claims upon our attention, no dulcet tones to conciliate our esteem. Alas ! They plead for their own, with an eloquence but too fatal — they find in us hearts but too easily charmed with the spell-like plea.

It is not so with the higher interests of the invisible. Lying beneath the surface, and shut away from view by outward objects, undetected, for the most part, and unknown, the most persuasive eloquence — the most earnest entreaties gain for them but a reluctant hearing, and awaken, on their behalf, but a transient concern. It matters not though they be of infinite and unspeakable value, like diamonds, which glitter in ocean caverns, their existence is veiled, and their beauty and wealth uncoveted ! A dewdrop sparkling on the rosebud, awakens more admiration than the priceless stone which lies concealed amid its roots — the tinselled splendours of an earthly palace, have more power on the earth-born than the undying radiance of a heavenly mansion. The body, which hastens to corruption, finds a prompt and obsequious attention to its meanest want — tlie soul, image of the Ineffable, pleads in vain for momentary heed to interests vast as the Infinite, and enduring as the Eternal !

A main object of the present volume is to promote these greater, but strangely, disastrously, neglected concerns — the concerns of the invisible and future — of the soul and eternity.

Despairing to gain the ear or eye of mere earth-worms, we address ourselves to Christians, and others, who, like them, begin to appreciate spiritual things — and would point out to them the exuberance and richness of their privilege — the glory and excellence of the objects after which they aspire — even the utmost of the great things, included in the promises made to their faith. We mean not now what is reserved for them in the coming glory, but what pertains to them in this life. Of the former we remember it is said, *' Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him." Let them remain a secret until we enter in, and behold with open vision ; we would not fore-cast a refulgence so glorious — eternity alone will serve to unfold it !

Precisely what is the privilege of believers, as to spiritual attainments in this life, is obviously an exceedingly interesting and transcendently momentous question. It can scarcely be pondered too earnestly, or thought of too profoundly. For a time, as it has been heretofore, it may be overlooked ; amid the all-engrossing and overshadowing urgencies of the exterior and sensible, it may be obscured and kept out of view ; but its importance will yet be admitted, and the wonder of on-coming ages will be, that it was ever neglected — that inferior things, even trifles, were allowed to usurp its place. As things hurry on to the consnmmation, and the conflicts of truth with eri'or become more general and engaging, and as each truth assumes its legitimate rank in the great chain of verities, this one will be seen occupying a peerless eminence, and exerting a commanding influence. Other engrossing questions will sink down, and from having swayed a world's heart and mind will elicit no more than a transient glance — a passing thought. This one will rise up, and the same world which had neglected it will do it homage.

What the gospel proposes as the privilege of the race — what it promises to do for the great aggregate of collective humanity, particularly as it respects moral and spiritual improvement, must, in connexion with the above, become the question, which, by force of irresistible attraction, will draw all minds and sway all hearts. Philosophers and poets, statesmen and scholars, as well as divines and religionists, will do it homage; and the collective intelhgence of the world will accord it attention. The physical man has had his day — a day of darkness and debasement, of sensualism and crime ; the intellectual man is now enjoying his — a day of refulgence and splendour ; the spiritual man, will have his. It is now in the dawn. The on-coming of its glory is but a Httle in the future. Destiny is evidently rushing upon us. All things tend in rapid convergence to some grand and glorious ultimatum. Science moves with quicker pace — art advances with firmer step — learning embraces wider survey — truth comes forth with increasing brilliancy— all things hurry onward, as with the pomp of a cavalcade, the rush of a host, to some grand ^and glorious completion. The moral elements are in portentous motion. Borne along upon the resistless and excited current, one cannot but inquiringly ask, and prophetically anticipate, what the end will be. If he penetrate beneath the thin exterior crust, into the discovery of hidden causes, he must soon perceive what is entirely obvious, that the great agency impelling the world forward with such momentum, is none other than the spirit of Christianity — the omnipotence of the Gospel.

Here are the interior sources of that matchless energy, stirring and heaving all aromid him ; here the agency infusing the awakening spirit — evoking the resistless agitation — breaking the death-like spell of ages — and kindling the central fires which cause the great heart of the world to throb and palpitate, with a living excitement, quickening to the extremest fibre, and sending the life current to the remotest nerve. He will see in the gospel the elements of the world's regeneration; and in surrounding phenomena, predictive foreshado wings of the on-coming and never-ending glories, of a reign of righteousness and peace, in which the knowledge of God shall fill the earth, and the moral perturbations of the race give place to quietness and assiu-ance forever. It might be an interesting exercise to push further, this excursion of incidental thought — to unfold more fully, as we think might be done, what the consummation in these respects will be ; nor would the adventure be void of profit. We should find much in the survey to cheer us on — much to excite us to new and nobler endeavour — much to inspire hope, enkindle corn-age, and awaken adoring love. We should hear voices calling, and behold hands beckoning us onward. Our hearts would leap within us, as we beheld the long night of the world's sorrow and guilt, roUing backward, and succeeding to it the effulgence of a day of rapture and innocence. But interesting and even profitable as it might be, to indulge in these connexions, it is aside from our plan. Our inquiries lead us in another direction, if not so refulgent, certaialy of infinitely more practical importance. What does the Gospel propose to us as our present personal privilege ? What, as to moral and spiritual excellence, has it for me, now ? This, in general, is our theme. How obviously important !