To Mr. M——

Condemned and justified at the same moment impossible — Case of a young lady who mistook a state of condemnation for one of justification; she was not intentionally hypocritical — How the mistake may almost imperceptibly be upon which a state of justification is retained — How soon may perfection be attained?

To MY Friend in Jesus, Mr. M. I said in

my last, that there are conditions upon which a state of justification is retained. From the views of some persons, one might imagine that there is such a thing as being justified and condemned at the same moment. I once met a young professor, whose general lightness of character and frequent inadvertencies gave painful indication that she was a Christian only in name. I expostulated -with her upon the hurtful tendency of a matter she had just been prosecuting. This, with her habitual

The Self-deceived Professor.

course as a professor, was too questionable to admit of an attempt at justification, and she did not propose it. But my heai-t was yearning over the wounded cause of God, and I really wished to remove the foundations of a profession which so dishonored it. In view of this, I asked whether she did not think her course at variance with the requirements of Scripture. She admitted it to be so. I said, “Do you feel, then, that you can stand justified before God, in view of such conduct?”

“Yes.”

“Why, the word of God condemns you, and this you acknowledge; how then can you stand justijied? You surely cannot be justified and condemned at the same time!”

Now, I would not say that this person was hypocritical in her profession; no, she was only following in a path which hundreds of young professors pursue. At the commencement of her Christian career, she had doubtless joyfully said, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” But unmindful at length of the character to whom it is said, “There is no condemnation,” she perhaps, almost at unawares, began to walk after the flesh. Now, by walking after the flesh you will readily perceive she ceased to sustain the character to which the apostle says “there is no condemnation,” &c.; and a state of

Wrong Name. No standing still.

justification was of course lost. These derelictions continued, would soon end in the loss of adoption also, and the soul be cast off as a withered branch.

I would not accuse such of intentional insincerity; but surely this mistake of calling a blessing by a name which the state of the individual professmg it contradicts, tells disastrously upon the interests of experimental piety in the church.

You will now see that the condition upon which a state of justification is retained, is, that you “walk after the Spirit.” Walking implies going forward. By your surrender to God the foundation of your Christian character has been laid. The principles of the doctrine of Christ have now been learned. But do you stop here? No! As well might the child who has learned his alphabet say, “I have finished my education.’* It is true that many, veiy many, do stop at this point; and here was the error of our young friend, whose erratic course told so grievously on the cause of God: and more or less so will be the course of all who do not steadily purpose to “leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ, and go on unto perfection.”

Do not imagine that you can retain the state in which you now stand, unless you “go (m 0 may this, by the power of the Spirit, ever stand before your mind, in the form of living truth! “Would that you could witness the fervor of my desires for you on this point. God commands it;

Progress urged. Question.

and can I urge its importance more than by reminding you of this? You abhor a backslidden state, yet with all your abhorrence you will inevitably backshde, unless you obey the command, “Go on to perfection.” There is no standing still in religion; and now, at the commencement of your Christian career, let me say, Deem that day worse than lost which is not in some way marked by religious progress.

But you may say,” If I keep going steadily on, how long before I may expect to arrive at a state of perfection? And if I arrive at this point, will not the summit of Christian attainment on earth be reached, and the command, * Go on no more be needed?

Your inquiries are indeed most important, and did opportunity now permit, I would at once endeavor to answer. The Lord willing, you shall soon hear from me again.

In yet more tender Christian regards, yours.

No End to Christian Progress.