To Rev. ——
“Why cannot I believe?” — Plain dealing — An elevated position in the church — How attained — Our reputation belongs to God — Expulsions from the ministry — “Why insist on terms 1” — A resolve to stand or fall with truth — Ashamed of Christ’s words — The sin of ignorance — Acknowledgment — Objection to Scripture phraseology — Paul’s conduct — Reputation — Not resigned to Christ — “How can ye believe?” — Fellowship with Him who made himself of no reputation — Christ’s benediction on the outcast.
Rev. Sir, — My mind has been prayerfully interested for you ever since our first interview. I rejoice that your mind has become so powerfully influenced relative to the privilege of the believer. What more important theme than that of salvation from sin in the present life! Unless we are redeemed from all iniquity, and, as witnesses for Christ, live in the enjoyment of that state, the purpose for which Christ was manifest in the flesh remains unaccomplished. And how wonderful, with the Bible as the acknowledged standard of our faith and practice, that the doctrine of holiness, or entire sanctification, should have become a matter of controversy!
Yet, with those who love the truth in sincerity, and who consult the lively oracles for themselves, instead of following the traditimis of men, this glorious doctrine will not long remain questionable. I am, indeed, most happy to know that your scruples
have at length been wholly removed. But yet you “Why can’t I believe 7” Eminence. “Who gave it T”
say, that you do not cxperimentaUy know of this doctrine. Yon, for some time past, have greatly desired this enjoyment, but why you are not enabled to believe and receive the end of your faith, with you yet remains inexplicable. I am happy to hear you say that the hinderance, whatever it may be, is with yourself, for you judge Him faithful who hath promised, who also will do it, as soon as you comply with the conditions upon which it is promised. I have conversed with many, who, to my mind, seemed to be on similar ground with yourself, and perceive what I imagine may hinder your faith from laying hold on the promises. I believe you wish plain dealing, and that as you have no fault to find with your Saviour, you would gladly know where the fault may be.
I know you will give God all the glory, when I allude to the fact, that you occupy a commanding position in the Christian world. In the order of Providence, you have influence with prominent men in the ministry and the laity, who are opposed, some of them violently, to the doctrine of salvation from all sin in the present life. By your pen also, you are favorably known in the literature of the day, and thus stand before the Christian community of Europe and America as a theologian of sincere, earnest, and enlightened piety. Noav, should I ask you how this commanding position was attamed, in looking back upon every step which you
Is your Reputation surrendered? The Alternative.
have ascended, you would acknowledge the helpful Spirit of grace, and with humility and gratitude you would ascribe to God, glory in the highest. Then you know that your reputation already belongs to God. Have you rendered, or are you now rendering, it back to Him? Let me, as in the presence of the high and holy One, solemnly urge your prayerful examination of yourself on this point, for here I think you may find the difficulty. Is it your intention that the avowal of your belief in this doctrine shall be coextensive with your influence? You now in blameless reputation stand enranked with men who have thrust from their midst those who were, and are now, experimental witnesses of the attainment of holiness. The blamelessness of their lives, and their increased zeal and success in winning souls to Christ, were fully and freely admitted by the brethren who refused them church fellowship. “But your doctrine! That is what we do not like.” “Holiness, sanctifi cation, or Christian perfection — these are terms which we do not approve. Renounce them, and you are still one with us, and together we will fight against sin, the world, and Satan. Refuse, and we use the awful power delegated to us by the Head of the church, and we not only thrust you from our ranks, but we depose you from the Christian ministry, and henceforth you are to us as a heathen man and a publican.”
“Why not call it Consecration?” Ashamed of Christ’s words.
And why could not these dear brethren accede to your wishes, and call the state into which the Saviour had brcught them, a state of “consecration,” or “the assurance of faith,” instead of sanctification or holiness? Because, the doctrine of entire sanctification and holiness is set forth as you acknowledge you have found it, clear as noon-day, in the Bible, and they had in reality given themselves up to be as their Master, even “of no reputation,” and they had also fully purposed to stand or to be thrust out with the truth. Jesus, the way and the truth, was with them, and when you thrust them out because they were not ashamed of Christ and his words before this adulterous generation, did not the Saviour say to the hearts of those of you who had thus proved that you were ashamed of his words, “Of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed before his Father and the holy angels?”
In the judgment of Christian charity it may doubtless be said of some of them, “Brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it:” but does this make repentance and confession less necessary? “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” If the condition be not complied with, that is confession, the first point in the process is not met, and of course forgiveness and cleansing cannot follow. Eternal consequences hang
The Creed and the Bible. “Why must I use those Words?”
upon your prompt compliance with this condition. Is the purification of the heart by faith a light matter, when God hath said, ‘’Without holiness no man shall see the LordV^
I am aware that it is a doctrine of your creed, as a people, that salvation from all sin may not be expected until the hour of the soul’s dismission from the body; but you have frankly acknowledged, in social intercourse with friends who have embraced the same views of truth as yourself, that the Bible does not authorize this creed. The Sun of righteousness has risen upon your heart, and you see and feel that you must be saved from sin, and in the daily epistle of your life and conversation exhibit the power of Christ to save. Yet, should the Lord bring you into this state of salvation, you are not willing to come out and confess it in Scriptural words. “Why, when these words are so objectionable,” you ask, “should I be required to use them? May I not live in a state of entire devotion to God, and profess the assurance of faith, and entire consecration to the service of Christ, without using the objoctionable words, holiness or sanctification, and thus save my reputation, that I may be more extensively useful?” No! for then would the offense of the cross have ceased. And the very idea seems to imply, that you were to be in some way the gainer by being ashamed of the words of Christ.” But does not Paul speak of being all things to
Paul. The Honest Avowal. Ileputatioii versus Truth.
all men, that lie might gain some?” As well might Paul have maintained his rank among the persecutors of his Lord, after he had ceased his hostilities, from a persuasion that if he should lose his reputation with them, he might remove himself from a position in which he might be useful to them.
Whereas, the very fact of his having been in reputation among the Jews, “having sat at the feet of Gamaliel and been taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, being zealous toward God, and persecuting this way unto death;” was a very commanding reason why he should come out, when convinced of his error, as a zealous promoter of truth, and endeavor that his influence and zeal in defense of the truth should be coextensive with what they had been in defense of error. I would not intimate that you have persecuted this way; what your former course may have been is not known to me, but this I know, that you noiu feel not only a union in doctrinal sentiment, but a sweet cleaving of Spirit to those who profess to enjoy this grace. But so careful are you of your reputation, that even in this you are seemingly afraid of being brought out. Why all this, if yom* reputation were not dearer to your heart than truth? 0, be no more ashamed of Christ and his words. Has he given you honor? Lay this thy gift also upon the altar; and if you value your hope of eternal life, 0 “One Thing thou lackest.”” How can ye believe V
think not more of the gift than of the altar upon which yom* gift is sacrificed, and by which it is sanctified. How soon may the gift which is not used in promoting the divine glory be withdrawn from you! You may in sincerity have thought that you were living in a state of entire consecration; but unless you have laid your reputation, as well as everything else, upon the altar, you are not thus living before God. To be candid, from the first interview I had with you, I have beUeved this to be the difficulty in the way of your exercising that faith which brings into the enjoyment of present salvation from sin. If a Jew had brought to the altar a sacrifice which he knew to be in any degree imperfect, would he have any authority from the word of the Lord for believing it holy, acceptable? Imagine that he had lingered long at the altar in most earnest desire for the reception of his gift, would the God of the altar have been moved, because of his importunity, to accept and seal the blemished ofFerino-? As well miojht we imagine that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ could deny himself, and that with him were variableness and turning. ‘’ Ifoiv can ye he-Ueve which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God onlyV
The mention of this passage reminds me of a dear friend, who for years stood about in the same experience and belief as yourself. I may also say,
The Short and Easy Way. Christ’s Example. Come out.
that lie was a minister in good repute in your communion. One day, after lie had been speaking of the many years he had been a believer in the doctrine of holiness, and of his earnest desires for the blessing, &c., I said, “How can you account for this, brother, that you should with so much sincerity and earnestness have been seeking the blessing for years without obtaining it?” He quickly replied, “that just so soon as he was willing to give up that honor which cometh from the world, and to seek that honor which cometh from God only, he found it perfectly easy to believe.” Will my dear friend try this short and easy way? 0 give up your reputation! Consent to a fellowship with Him who “made himself of no reputation:” “who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the ri2:ht hand of the throne of God.” For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, and resolve, if need be, to follow his example of patient endurance. Be willing, in obedience to the command of the high and holy One, to “sanctify the Lord God in your heart, and let him be your fear and your dread.” Come out, and be separate in verity and in profession, touch not the unclean thing, and then the promise at once meets you, “I will receive you.” But be assured, on the authority of God’s word, that you will not be able to believe with the heart, until you
Give and receive. Lead the Way. Coming to the Light.
are willing to make confession with the mouth. The purpose of God in making us the receivers of his grace, is that we may be its dispensers also. “Give, and it shall be given yon.”
If all of your denomination who are in heart believers in the attainment of holiness as a doctrine of the Bible, should stand out fearlessly in the defense of truth, what a reA’olution might be produced! Perhaps it is only for t/ou to come out with an avowal of your views, in order to bring others to the point who are standing in about the same position as yourself. If you have more influence than some others, for this talent, which might be so favorably used on this subject, you are responsible.
The churches are gradually coming to the light. It is my earnest prayer that the Lord may raise up instruments in the denomination to which you belong, to hold up this precious light. How do you know but it may be the design of God to assign you a prominent place among those instruments, so that you may say rejoicingly, —
<’ And I enjoy the glorious shame,
The scandal of the cross.”
The Lord save you from declining this honor, if it be -his will concerning you. But should it be given you in behalf of Christ, not only to believe on his name, but also to suyer for his sake, why not glory in this your inheritance? Your Saviour
Blessing on the Outcast. Poor, but rich in Faith.
hath said, “Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, and leap for joy, for great is your reward in heaven, for in like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.”
Yours, <fec.