Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1844 edition. Excerpt: ... DISCOURSE II* PERFECTION IN HOLINESS ATTAINABLE. " Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect." -- Matt. v. 48. The object of the preceding discourse was, to illustrate and explain the nature of Christian perfection. The object of the present discourse is to answer the inquiry, u Is such a state attainable in this life ? " to ascertain the fact, whether it is practicable for us, as Christians, to consecrate our entire being, with all its powers and susceptibilities, to Christ, and to live under the continual influence of the all-pervading and all-controlling principle of pure and perfect love -- "of faith on the Son of God: ' I use the terms attainable and practicable with reference not merely to our powers as moral agents, but also with respect to the provisions and promises of divine grace. If provision is made in the gospel for the entire sanctification of believers in this life, if God has promised to render those "perfect in every good work to do his will," by whom he is inquired of by faith to do it for them, -- then is such a state, in the highest and most common acceptation of the term, attainable; and we are under the most * Parts of this and the following Discourse have already been before the public in another form. sacred obligation to aim at that state, with the full and joyful expectation of attaining it . The question now returns -- Is perfection in holiness, in the sense of the term as above explained, attainable in this life ? That it is attainable, I argue from the following reasons: -- JL The Bible positively affirms that provision is made in the gospel for the attainment of that state, and that to make such provision is one of the great objects of Christ's redemption. Rom. viii. 3,4J " For what the...
