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Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filmdb en commen9ant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparattra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — »► signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmds d des taux de reduction diff^rents. Lorsqua le document est trop grand pour due reproduit en un seul clich6, il est film6 6 partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droits, et de haut an bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n^cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m^thode. 1 2 3 4 5 6 SHARP ARROWS: T(i HK VHV.U IN jBattle against the KING'S Enemies. FitoM Till-: »^trivF:ii of A METHODIST ARCHER. "Thine arrows air sharp in tlie lioiirt oi the Kinjj's enemies ; tvhereby they fall under thee." -1'salmh xlv. : 6. TORONTO : WESLEYAN BOOK ROOM, KING STREET; PRIMITIVE METHODIST BOOK ROOM, 89 YONGE ST. 1870. ,, ; ii i^- ■w 1! ■¥0^: ■^■•s^ T1II8 VOLUME IS Bei^pectfuUij Xneciiibed .fC TO ROBERT WALKER, Esq., OF TORONTO, ONTARIO. 6^: C..O PEEFAOE Several of those arrows I have taken from the quiver of an old Methodist Archer, who is now enjoying immortal honors. Some of the arrows I have made much shorter than they were, others I have almost remade; allowing them to retain, as f\ir as possible, theii original point. They are not what would be called " polished shafts;" nevertheless they have been used in many spiritual conflicts with glorious effect, and in the hands of skilful archers, may, I have no doubt, again be made pre-eminently useful. May the Holy Spirit accompany the arrows in their flight is the prayer of II. II. AN AITEAL TO THE CJIUISTIAN MIxNISTEY. ^^U^pESLEY says : " (live mo one hundred yNl prcaclievs who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, — and I earo not a straw whether they bo clergymen or laymen, — such alone will shake the gates of hell, and set up the kingdom of heaven upon earth." Dr. A. Clarke says, when writing to his brethren in the ministry: — "Your call is not to instruct men in the doctrines and duties of Chris- tianity merely, but to convert them from sin to holiness." No man is a true Christian minister who has not gifts, graces, and fruits. If he give full proof of his ministry, he will have fruit. Sinners will bo converted to God through his instrumentality, and believers built up in their most holy faith. The word of him, who has his commission from heaven, shall be as tire and as a hammer ; and sinners shall be convinced and converted to God by it. While you are engaged in the pulpit, in recommending the salvation of God, endeavour to feel the truth you preach, and diifuse a Divine animation through every part. As the preacher appears to preach, so the people hear and believe. A dull preacher makes a dull congregation. 6 SHARP ARROWS, JJr.aniwell, wliosc soul was always alivo, and whoso clement was a revival, says to a l»rotlier minister: — ''In your preacjiin!:!; discover (lie strongest ati'ection for tliu congregation ; let everything declare your earnest desire lor their salvation ; say strong things, but lot youi* edge be smooth. If a minister do not give his whole heart to the work, he will bo powerless in the puli)it ; but if he bo alivo, ho will be like lire among dry stubble, that, however cold and lifeless liis congre- gation may bo, they will bo rous(.'d and animated by his fervent ap])eals. A minister without Divine unction is not properly cpialiticd to preach the (j!os[tol, and such ought to abandon the sacro'l office, and ])roach no inoro, until ho has recovered his spiritual strength, and is again baptised with the Holy (ihost and with tire." '' It is not }'our business to itrcach so many sermons, and take care merely of this and that society, but to bring as many sinners as you possibly can to Chi'ist, and to build them up in that holiness without wliicli no man can see the Lord." There is, I believe, a mode of preaching and sustaining the Gospel, which will make it com- pletely irresistible. Lot the (bispel be afl'ection- ately preached, in its simplicity, without any compromise; and let it be supported by the faith, love, and prayers of the Church, and nothing will be able to stand bofoi'o il ; its triumphant march is us sure as the promises of God. AN APPEAL. 7 Brethren, can we, or ()U<.';lit wc to be haopy, unlosH wo are iiistrunientul in re.scuin ? I niiswer ^^ yes. What! and arc the ministers and ciders asleep ? Yes. This, you say, is a hasty and iin- scriptural conclusion. Look at tlio miglity efforts Avhich are being made for the conversion of the world. AYe have the Tract, Bible, and Missionary Societies, and thousands of ministers emploj^ed to stem the torrents of sin, and dethrone the prince of darkness. And is this glorious and desirable end accomplished ? Are the results, in any waj-, proportionate to the means in operation ? Sin still abounds, and crime is enormous. Churches are still disunited, party spirit still prevails, and infidelity is stalking through the land. The Sabbath is alarmingly desecrated. The law of God is violated. Signs and wonders are seldom wrought in the name of Jesus. And if the glory of God is to be measured by the souls saved under the Word, that glory, with some rare exceptions, is departed. Are not these strong indications of t!ie Church's Ijthargy? Ouglit not these things to lead every serious and reflecting Christian to ask liimself, Why, and how is it? Let him throw off the trammels of etiquette, and dare to witko up, play^ the man fear- lessly, brave the stigma of singularity or entliu- 1 WORLD ASLEEP. siiisra. If there ever was a nccesHity of the Church being aroused, it is now. The love of many is waxing cold. The pomp of the world and the pride of the Church have usurped the j)laco of vital Godliness. And now for a calm and candid research into the general character of the ministry and the members. Oh, my brethren in the ministry, let us not be afraid of bringing ourselves to the light of truth. It is a solemn thing to be an ambas- sador oi' Christ. The idea of laboring twenty or thirty years in the Church, and seeing little or no success, ought to arouse every dormant energy of the soul, and kindle a spark of holy fire within, that would burn up every atom of sin, and lead us to pour the light of truth, like the lightning's glare, into the sinner's conscience. My brethren, I fear we are fast forgetting our high and holy calling. Where are the yearn- ings of pity for mankind, that first moved us to the work? Where are the sighs, the groans, the tears, the entreaties, the fastings, the prayers and deep-loiied fueling for perishing sinners, which made us cry out like Jeremiah of old, " Oh, that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughters of my people." The want of this tleej) feeling has lowered the standard of piety in our rouls, and ])aralyzed our energies. The time was, when prayer produced feeling, 14 SHARP ARROWS. feeling pi'(jdiK'ed faith, and faith brought all the energies of our souls into holy and untiring action. Then our ministry was owned and blessed. I fear the days of s^elf-denial are fast passing away. But if ever the Church be aroused again to omnipotent energy, ir will be by such men as Wickliffe, Luther, Wesley, Whitfield, Stoner, Bramwcll, Dawson and Smith. The work of God was their work. To pluck brands out of the tire, was their object and aim. They could not rest if souls were not saved. Preparing sermons formed only a small part of their employment. The closet wit- nessed their deep feeling. In a word, they had power with CJod and prevailed, and souls were saved on every hand. So would it be in our day. were the same zeal manifested. Oh, that the Spirit of the living God would comedown, and breathe upon these dry bones, that they might have life. I would now speak to the members of the Churcdi, not with a desire to expose, but to arouse them. It is an unmistakeable fact, that the spirit of pride and worldly-mindedness has got hold of the Church, and is s])reading its deadly leaven, and excluding the Spirit of Christ. The world knows that the Church ought to be as a city set upon a hill, as a candle to give light, as the salt of the earth, witnesses for '^lod. Is it so ? Is the Church witnessing for Ciirist or for Satan ? To wntncss for Christ is to imitate His holy and spot- less life — Jlis liumility — His patience — His zeal — Ills love — His forbearance. WORLD ASLEEP. 15 With all the means, privileges and light with which the Church is favoured, has it not an impor- tant lesson yet to learn before it will rightly wit- ness for Christ? Oh, yes. It must feel its true position before it wakes out of its long and deadly slumber. Oh, how many are satisfied with the mere form and externals of religion. They have a name to live while they are spiritually dead. The bright and holy life and example of Christ has been shrouded in darkness. Pride, love of the world, want of zeal, genuine humility and charity to God and man, have thrown a veil over the beauty of our holy Christianity. Oh ! my fellow-Chris- tians, there arc great duties yet to learn o"'1 per- form ; great soul-stirring truths yet to believe and lay hold of; great promises yet to claim and great victories yet to achieve. For want of these the enemy has reared his brazen front, lias gone on in his unholy march, slaying immortal souls and filling the Church with backsliders in heart. Is not this the truth? Let reason and conscience answer. Is this state of things to continue ? Oh, let us try with our prayers and tears, in deep humi- iity before God, to find out the cause, and bo no longer stumbling-blocks to the world — no longer lukc-warm — dim lights — barren fig trees — but whatever there may have been in us that has caused any one to stumble, bo it dear as a right eye, or arm, lot us be determined to tear it out, or cut it off at a stroke. Let us no longer hide the light that is within us, lest it becomes darkness; 16 SHARP ARROWS. but prepjire for llio mighty struggle and bring glory to (lod, by plucking sinners as brands from the burning and placing them as trophies of vic- tory at the Saviour's feet. Then arise, O Zion, put on thy beautiful gar- ments, and with one simultaneous and continuous effort shako thyself from the dnst, and implore the mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit which shall astound the world and convert the nations of the earth. WORKING FOR JESUS. 516/^10, LABOUR IN MY VINEYARD." Why? '"iM Because souls are worth labouring for ! What playthings arc kingdoms, crowns, riches, and honours, when compared to the undying spirit. Then how important whether souls, blood-bought souls, souls that angels anxiously watch over, that heaven and hell struggle for, are damned or saved ! To save a kingdom from civil war, or a world from temporal death, would bo an act worthy of the highest praise ; but he wno converts a sinner from the error of his way, effects a greater salvation. Some contend that to convert a sinner is the work of God. This we admit, but it is likewise the work of man ; God seldom saves but by man. He has laid down a plan, and if it is carried out, the salvation of souls will as surely follow as a crop follows the sowing of seed. The Bible says, " He that goeth forth w^eoping, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with joy, bringing his sheaves with him." Aged saint, go labour in my vineyard ; thou mayest have little time, strength, or talent, and Satan • may tempt thee not to labour. Perhaps thou hast only just got converted, and thou feelest it a mercy of mercies that the omnipotent God should condescend to notice thee at all, unless it 18 SHARP ARROWS. were to hIiiiI thoo up in hell for ever ; but lie has pardoned all thy sintj, written thy worthless name in the book of life, and ])romised, if thou wilt enter into His vineyard and work till nii^ht, thou shalt have thy penny. Old Rowland Jlill said, he did not mean to rust out. Wesley, Whitfield, Clarke, Bramwell, and thousands of God's holy ministers, toiled hard to the last. If there is a sight upon earth calculated to make angels weep, it is to see a holy, useful labourer in the vineyard of the Lord turn idle in his old ago. Good old Carvossa, when upwards of sixty years of age, wont from place to place preaching Christ and Jlim crucified. jSammy Hick, the village blacksmith, was doing battle for the Lord of hosts when the summons came for the strife to cease. William Dawson, after plucking thousands of brands out of the fire, died in harness ; therefore, aged saint, go labour ! A few words spoken by thee in faith and love may pierce to the heart's core. Jesus Christ has no superannuated servants on this side of heaven. Thou canst lend a tract, visit the sick, invite sinners to God's house, or like old Jacob bless the young, if it be leaning on the top of thy stall'. When good old Asbury the Methodist bisliop, could not preach, he was taken through the country in a carriage to give away Bibles and other good boolcs. Ye young, go labour ! A celebrated divine in urging young disciples WORKING FOR JESUS. li) to action in the cp.iiso ofTimiiamicl, iiddresscs them in this heai'L-8CJirc'hini;' lnnii;imge, " It is tlio very nature of true relit^ion to .stir us up to work for (iod ; the very hour we ai-e translated out of nature'8 darkness into the kin<^dom of God's dear Son, we feel a holy, restless panting for the salvation of others, especially our nearest and dearest friends." How often we have heard the cry of new- born souls — Lord, save my father, mother, sister, brother; and in answer to these humble peti- tions, the Jloly Spirit has smitten sinners to the ground, like men slain in battle; and there is not the least doubt in my mind that if the young- converts were urged to work for God, and led into it by the elders and the senior members of the Church, we should not have the Church and the world swarming with bticksliders, but the Church woukl 2)roduce again her giants. Hundreds of professors of twenty and thirty years' standing oft tell the young, holy, active convert that he is warm in his first love, but he will soon feel very diflt'erently ; such wicked backsliders in heart should be sharply rebuked in the name of the Lord. Jesus bids you labour, and instead of God's book telling 3-ou that in a few years you will grow cold and apathetic and id'.o, it saj^s, " The path of the just is like the shining light, which grows brighter and brighter to the perfect day." You must get more zeal, love, faith, pity, and restless anxiety for souls every year you live. 20 SHARP ARROWS. If God uses you in waving souls, beware lest Satan puif'you up witli pride, and work your downfall ; but be humble, watchful, and prayerful, and take the advice of aged saints who liave the hope of glory dwelling within them. Never be above being taught; the pilgrim of threescore years knows many things which you have yet to learn. Work, work, work ! To sec young men of talent wasting their time in vain amusements, and reading novels, is enough to break a good man's heart with holy grief Go labour, young man ! Behold a Richard Watson enter the minis- try at the age of sixteen ! What a heavenly stir Smith and Stoner made in the church and the world ! Hark ! angels say, " Go labour^ The Spirit and the- Bride say, " Go labour.'" Every drop of Immanuel's blood says, *' Go labour.'" Past success, present prospects,' and future rewards cry ^' Go labour ;" and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive : happiness, holiness, usefulness, here, and " Well done " at the end. Ye Christians of talent, " Go labour.'' Whether your talents consist in literary quali- fications, wealth, influence, or powers of oratory, you should use them all for God. What glorious results }?5ve been realised when men of ten talents have employed them in the cause of Christ; sanc- tified talent laid on the altar of the Church is a sweet offering. Had the polluted Byron, Pinder, and Rochester, plumed their poetic wings, and WORKING FOR JESUS. 31 Sutan vnfall ; (I tako OJ)U of above ycai's learn. en of mcnts, I good sung liko Watts, Wesley, or Addison, how they might have hk^ssed the whole world ! Had J[iimo, irerbert, Voltaire, iJolingbroke, Carlisle, Taylor, Owen, and Paine, used (heir great talents as Paul, Wesley, Penn, CMarke, Howard, and Wilberforco did, instead of sending a desolating tide of eor- ruption through the earth, and thus 8wec])ing thousands to woes eternal, who will haunt and eurse them for ever, they might have blessed mil- lions to all eternity. Many who are blessed with great abilities, seem as if they were only using their talents to divert themselves. Oh, how will sueh meet their Judge? Can they say, "Lord, the five talents whieh thou gavest me have gained other five;" or, will the shadows of eternal death I'est upon them when they have their accounts to settle ? Ye men of great gifts, Go labour ! Whatsoever be your position in the Church, mind and labour for God, for souls and eternity. If you labour merely for display, woe be to you ! I would have you to shun vanit}^ and pride, for Crod has many stripes for the vain and proud. The late William Dawson, when speaking on the torments of hell, says, " Our punishment will be in proportion to our sins. Hence our Lord says, ' It shall be more tolerable in the day of judgment for Sodom and Gomorrah than it shall be for Chorazin and Eethsaida.' Every vessel of wrath in hell is a vessel nlled with wrath ; but ever}" vessel is not of the same magnitude. Every one in hell is a firebrand, and all assist to burn 22 SHARP ARROWS. uach otlicr ; but oncli is'not a firohnuul of the same sizo, nor of the samo intensity. O, my friends, if this be tlio ease, what must be your ])orti(>n who arc exalted unlo heaven with privilei^^es ? JJeliold that poor sinner in the pit of eternal woe, how he is ' beaten with many stripes.' There comes a benighted heathen to him, and says, ' If I had known my Master'.- will as well as you, I might not have been here;' and he lashes him. Then comes a poor Jew, and says, ' Jf 1 had known tliat Jesus was the Lord, and my duties and obligations to llim, I shoulil not have been here;' and the Jew lashes him. Then come his wicked companions, and say, ' If we had been trained in the Sabbath- school, and our ears had boon regaled with the holy breathings of pious parents, we should never have come to tliis place of torment ;' and his wicked comi)anions lash him. And then there will l>e the fiends saying, * Wo never had a Eedeemer to die for us, but you trampled under foot the blood of the Son of God, and did despite unto the Spirit of his grace ; you forced your passage to the flames;' and they lash him also. Conscience will then be a scorpion to sting and a serpent to bite ; it will give lectures on abused mercies, opportuni- ties squandered, and sins committed. The hand of (Jod shall there avenge an insulted law, and vindicate the honour of his government.'' It is a fact, tliat few of the most talontc^d ministers in the Church lead many souls to Christ. Dr. Clarke says, " A man who preaches in such WORKING FOR JESUS. 23 lan,!:!:n.'iujo hh tlio people cannot comproluuid, may do for Ji Hta<^o-playcr, or a nioiintebank, but not I'or a minister of Christ." Ho may bo admired by the shallow-minded, but ho convoy's no instruclion to the multitude. Oo labour, poor Christian, with thy one talent ; hundreds of Cod's children who have only meagre abilities are much tempted of Satan not to labour for God and souls. The wicked one sut(/;'ests to them, " If you could preach and pray like ^Mr. , you mii^bt laliour, but what can you do in the vineyard ?" Poor soul, hast thou lorgotteii that God had the wicked and slothful servant, with his one talent, cast into hell for wrapping it in a na])kin? IJeware, beware! It is to be feared that while Satan puft's up hundreds of talented Christians with pride, ho destro3^s the less talented by idleness. Go labour ; there is work for all, the weakest of God's saints ; thank God it is not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord. Tt is true that men possessed of ten talents might do more for God and souls than a man with five talents, if they used them to God's glory ; but still, God often employs the weak things of this world to confound the wise, and in spiritual things thou- sands such men as Bunyan the tinker. Hick the blacksmith, Oxtoby the farmer, Ricliardson the thresher, have done more in the vineyard of the Lord, than the professors and doctors of divi- nity in our universities. Go labour ; press some wicked loitering youth to the house of God, as the 24 SHARP ARROWS. aged matron in London did John Williams, the martyr. Go labour ; servant girl, reprove the young Sabbath breaker, and thou mayest bo IjIio means of leading him to Jesus, as was the case with John Fletcher, who became one of the noblest champions of a present, free, and full salvation, as well as a humble, holy, and useful minister. Go labour, mothei's in Israel, and you may be the means of training up more Wesleys for the Church. If you want a bright crown and an ever- lasting Inheritance, Go labour. If you would have your Master say, " Well done," you must " labour in the vinevard of the Lord." may bo iov tlic 111 ovor- woiild n must AEE WE TO EXPECT A FALLING AAYAY AFTEE A GREAT REVIVAL? F wo do we shall most assuredly realize our ex- pectations, for this would paralyze the very energy and sinews that arc essential to a revival. God could, independent of any human agency, carry on His work, but this is not His ordinary way of working. In His inscrutable wisdom He has do- vised and made known a way, and made man responsible for the results. We ihall consider the means essential for the commeneemont and continuance of a revival of reliii'ion. What are thev ? We answer : Clear views of God's will — His boundless love to man — the worth of the soul — the limited time we have to secure its salvation — the realities of eternity — untiring /.eal — burning charity — agonizing prayer and commanding faith. In proportion to the extent these views and feelings have been realized and carried out by Christians, so in proportion has been the extent and stability of a revival. Spiritual seed and spiritual fruit must have spiritual influence where- 26 SHARP ARROWS. with to nourish, mature and bring it to perfection. If Christians would carry on and perpetuate a revi- val they must have that hatred to sin and fearless- ness of expressing it that Elijah had. Tlicy must pos- sess that commanding faith over the spirit which the prophet had over the clouds. Is that faith at- tainable now? I answer, yes. It is the privilege of all believers. The Spirit is promised to the C'hurch without measure, and the reason why we have not more of it is because we do not ask. It is only when believers are in constant communion with God that theHolj' Spirit is poured out upon the Church and the world. Then the veil of spiritual darkness is torn from the eyes of the people, the light of eternal realities flashes upon them like lightning, and, awaking up from their slumber, the}' cry, " Give us of your oil, our lumps have gone out." Thus one and all trim their lamps, and awake up. Then the thunder of God's power rolls through the camps of sin and the dens of iniquity, and being convinced of sin, righteousness and of judgment to come, siimers rush into the arms of the Church, and in their alarm, like the jailor of old, fall down before Paul and Silas, and cry, " Men ;md brethren, what mu^t we do to be saved?" It is essential, then, to the y 'petuation of a re- vival that believers have clear views of God, eternity, the soul's value, holiness, sin and its consequences, the rcAvard of the righteous and the doom of the wicked, strong faith, untiring zeal ; in a word, have power with God. FALLING AWAY. 27 I need not attempt to prove that these spi- ritual attaiiinicnts so necessary to the progress of a revival have been blighted, withered and be- come unfruitful. Observation and experience prove this to be true, but nothing can prove it to be necessary. What, then, arc the causes of this falling away ? At the commencement of a revival pro- fessors wake up, as from a dream ; they stand aghast while they look around them and into their own hearts, and see the ascendency which the world has gained there. They find that they have gone on in a formal routine of worship, keeping up a cold, barren profession of religion, while they have been, though imperceptibly, forsaking the com- niandments of the Lord. God has said to His peo- ple, " Love not the world, nor the things that are in the world ; if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." " Ye cannot serve God and manmion." But, strange to sa}', that in the face of all these stirring truths, they have been loving the world. When do Christians cease to take hold of God? When do they loso the spirit of prayer — the spirit of devotion — the spirit of holiness? It is when the world steals in and takes hold of them. This shuts out the lightof s])iritual ;ind eternal realities, and all the vivid ap])rehensions of eternal death. Well migiit the apostle say, That the love of money is the root of all evil, while those who coveted 28 SHARP ARROWS. after it oiTcd from the faitb, and pierced thcm- ith many L'OWS. But selves throuicl man of God ! fiec these tnings. it is tnis power or selfishness, this love of the world, that cramps the energies and chills the life blood of revivals ; which introduces so many of the cant phrases among professors, such as ''Aye, aye, wait awhile and see how many of these young converts will be left with all their zeal and the bright flame of their first love." Would to God it was burning in the old hearts as it is in the young ; the revival flame would not so soon go out as it does. Oh ! how many flaming, burning, zealous youths, who might have been the means of the salvation of thousands of sinners, are frozen to death by the withering blast of old professors. What a fearful responsibility is resting on such men. Their influence is more de- structive than the pestilence that walketh in dark- ness. Proof in abundance might bo adduced. How dangerous is their position. While they are slumbering, time is not, death is not, hell is not, heaven is not, God is not. His all-seeing eye is u])on them ; and oh, when He shall say to these Laodecians "Give an account of your stewardship," what fcarfulness and trembling shall take hold of them. Oh ! how fearful the position of such jirofessors — without oil — without light — without the wedding garment; and siieechless at the bar of God. May God, in His inflnitc mercy, stir up and save the Church from a luke-warm, worldly- minded revival blighting influence. I I FALLING AWAY. 29 Shall this .tato of things cont nu ? tb fluctuation in revival. -th.s '-'ab. J-^h want of constant accession to the Church 1 m •„t of .cal, of strong and all --— f if ; .vithout which all praying and P>^'«^""| %^. ..sounding brass and a tinkling symbol? Oh! io. ultrufting, praying, .ealous, ff^^^ spiritual Church, acting fully up to her V^^^^^^ doing all for the glory of God and the >'»1™ "" "J souls ■ then would the Church rise, revivals pro- ::t' and multiply, and the Iriumphs o grace be sung through every land and by every tongue. JlOW MUST WE GET THE SENIOR Ml'lM- BEKS OF TIII^] CIIUECII TO ENTER FULT/Y INTO THE AVOllIv OE GOD ? ^^r]]iriS question is of tlio highest importance to 44 the Church. II' it is inqiortant that the lather ol'a family sot an example worthy of imitation to his children, so ought the fathers in Israel to be examples of sterling piety, eminent usefulness, unwearied diligence and untiring activity. Whatsoever we sow that shall wo also reap. Ifwosowtotho flesh, wo shall of the flesh reap corruption ; if we sow to the Spirit, wo shall of tho Spirit reap life everlasting. When may wc be said to sow to the Spirit? When we are more con- cerned for the honour and glory ofGoci than our temporal prosperity. Do you want an example of worldly-minded, gold-loving men ? Go to some of tho elders of the Church and you will find them to bo as perfect models as earth can make them ; instead of being dwarfish and sickly, they ought SENIOR MEMBERS. 31 to bo giants in every pious and benevolent work. It is this that is cramping the churehes, the Ana- niases andSapphiras keeping back part of the pn<: ,-, with propriety^ be said to be the ten thousand diseases which wait around, "to hurry mortals home." This Horse, figuratively speaking, is — 1st. Remarkable for its swiftness. See how it passes over the earth, trampling down men, women and children, at the rate of one every moment, day and night. 2nd. This Horse is remarkable for its boldness. Ah a proof of this, it often goes to the palace, mansion, drawing-room, &c. 3rd. It is remarkable for its power. The victo- rious army, the skilful physician, weeping friends, and a praying church cannot stop its course. II. The rider, Death. lie is — 1st. A skilful rider. 2nd. A cruel rider. 3rd. A relentless rider. ILL The attendants, Hell (Hades) or tlio place of departed spirits, followed with him, Ist, Hell, to receive the sinner, 2nd. Paradise, to receive the saints of God. IV. The invitation, Come and sec. 1st. Coyne and see him tramplt a sinner down. SKETCH OF SERMON. 41 Witness Payne, Voltaire, Hume, Spira, Altamont, and a great many drunkards, swearers, liars and Socialists. 2nd. Come and see him set his feet on the wretched bac.hsUder. His state is worse than that ol' the Atheist. 3rd. Come and see the dying saint triumph over both the horse and, its rider. Hear the triumphant shouts of David, Paul, the Martyrs, Luther, Lati- mer, Wesley, Fletcher, Smith, Stoncr, Payson, and millions more. Come and sec the hell that awaits the sinner after death. Come and see the heaven prcjiared for the faithful. APPLICATION. 1st. Death on the pale horse, set out after us the day we were born. 2nd. He gains on us hourly. 3rd. He will soon overtake us. 4th. When he tramples us down, heaven or hell will be our portion. ace THE OLD DOCTIMNE EEVIVED. SANCTIFICATION. " This is (lie loill of God, even your ^anctificationp — 1 Thes. iv.3. " Then will 1 tprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean ; from all your fiUhiness, and from all your idols will I cleanse you.'' — Ezkkiel xxxvi. 25. " And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly,'' — Thes. t. 23. M"UCH has been said and written on the doc- 'J trine of Christian perfection, or entire sancti- fication. Do you enquire what I mean by entire sancti- fication or Christian perfection ? I shall endeavour to answer this question after- wards. At present I shall try to show what sacti- fication is not. Bj/ Christian jyerfection, or entire sanctification we are not to suppose that the Christian will be as perfect as God in the absolute sense of the word. Nor as perfect as the angols or glorified spirits. Nor even as perfect as Adam before he fell. The Bible and our exporionce toll us that wo C SANCTIFICATION. 43 are fallen creatures in a deeply polluted world, yet that we may be perfect or entirely sanctified to God. Thousands of professors, especially those who have been trained in the Old school of Calvin, seem quite alarmed at the very term Christian perfec- tion, and vet the Bible is full of the doctrine. Christian perfection or entire sanctification is not an independency of the atonement. The atonement is the very life of Christian perfection. The blood of Jesus alone can cleanse the soul from all sin. The Christian lives by ftiith on the atonement, and the Yea and Amen promises of Jesus. It is the Christian who lives in the clearest enjoyment of perfect holiness, that utters most earnestly, from a feeling sense of his inmost soul, " Every moment, Lord, I ir-liI The merits of thy death." It is true that some enthusiastic professors in differ- ent sections of the Church, as well as in different periods of its history, have fancied themselves to be in a state of mystic perfection, from which valley of foolish dreams they have excluded the atonement, Christian duties and common sense. But this only proves that the best things may be abused, and that the real coin of the realm above ma}' be counter- feited by the devil. « Ttu! jitoiiemcnt of thy blood a;-»i)ly, Till faith to sight improve," Is the language of the sanctified soul. 44 SHARP ARROWS. Christian perfection, or entire sanctification, is not a summit from uiiich it is imjyossible fur Christians to climb higher. The saints who arc ' freed from the body of flesh, and lodged in the Eden of love,' shall deeper sink and higher rise and to jierfection grow. And, to say, that the saint of God on earth, who is fully sanctilied or made perfeet cannot grow in grace, is to contradict the word of God and the experience of thousands. AVhcn our gardens are freed from weeds, we expect the trees and flowers to grow faster; so the soul which is freed from all inbred sin sinks deeper, rises higher, and bears ten-fold more fruit than when in a justified state, Mr. Caughey says, '•'1 have known men, after obtaining the blessing of holiness, who have entei-ed more fully into the work of God, and led hundreds to the Saviour ; before sanctiHcation they were zealous Christians, but alter they obtained the blessing their constant cry was — " Knlai'{4i', (.nflanu! and lill iiiy heart, AVitli ItouiidlL's.s (jhaiity divine, pSo isliiill I all 'iiy hti'cn,L,4ii exert, And love tlieui with a zeal like thill(^" Yes, bi-etliren, sanctitication fits men to woi-k in a revival. They will stand where the storm rages most severely. Entire sanctijication is not freedom from tcmpta- tation. SANCTIFICATION. 45 Thousands foolishly dream that entire sancti- fication, when enjoyed in all its fulness, tills the Christian with holy raptures, unspeakable joys and keeps him in the sunshine of heaven Avithout a cloud or a single temptation. But this is not correct. The more holy and useful a man is the more Satan will dread, hate and tempt him. Yes, the more the Christian works for God, the more souls he leads to the cross, the more hellish subtle, and fiery will be his temptation. Was not Jesus, in whom dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead, tempted of the devil. He was tempted forty days — tempted to distrust Tlis Heavenly Father, yea, tempted to worship Satan. Paul was buffeted by a satanic messenger, and all Christians, more or less, have to contend with this ungodly foe. Thousands, for a want of a little instruction in the holy warfare, have when tempted to give up the blessing. They think if i\\Qj were entirely sanc- tified to God they should not be tempted. Then they halt, doubt, give up their shield, and in a moment lose the blessing of holiness. Some sanctified Christians have had tempta- tions the most infidel and blasphemous. At such a time Satan will come to them and tempt them ; that it is corruption of the heart that makes such evil thoughts arise, but the Christian sings in faith, " The blood of Jesus cleanses me, Because I do believe." 46 SHARP ARROWS. Then, brandishing his shield in holy triumph, " Devils fear, and fly." Perfect love is the Christian's blood-bought privilege; but not freedom from temptation until heaven is reached. Perfect love docsnot save us beyond the possiblliiy of falling. It is true, they who are sanctified are in a safer state than they who arc only justified ; but still a man may fall from sanctification into sin, and if he does not repent, into hell. Lucifer and the rebel angels fell from thrones far more exalted than those occupied by the saints on earth. Adam fell from his pristine purity. Judas from his apostate throne. Only the glorified saints are beyond the possibility of falling. Some fall from sanctifica ion who do not lose their justification. Mind if tl oy sin, they cease to be justified, but if they give up labouring forentij-e sanctification, they speedil}' lose the blessing although thoy may retain the favour of God. " Ami wliile by mighty faith we stand, Onr every foe shall fall, Only stand in Jesns' might, With all his strength endued ; And take to arm you for the fight, Tlu! armour of your God." Then you will be safe — see 1 Peter i. 5-11. (Jhristian Perfection or Entire Sanctification is not a freedom from the infirmities of human nature . SANCTIFICA TION. 47 We may be ignorant on many subjects, and yet enjoy the blessing of holiness. Nay, the saints in glory have much to learn, and will ever be learning. Mr. Wesley says, — " Angels are not liable to mistakes." But this cannot be said of any saint on earth. We are all liable to errors in judgment, and this may oft lead to errors in practice. Yet all this may exist with entire sanctification. Hundreds of Christians confound error with sin, and tempta- tions to evil thoughts with evil itself; and because sanctification does not free them from these things, they ask. Wherein does it differ from justi- fication ? Wesley says, — « Sin in me my inbred foe, Awhile exists in chains ; But Jesus all his power shall show, And slay its last remains." The Eev. Hugh Bourne makes the following remarks, which are the same in substance as already noticed, yet sufficiently distinct to warrant their insertion in this place : — 1. '' Perfect love does not make us absolutely per- fect. For there is none absolutely perfect but one, that is God. 2. " Perfect love does not make us perfect as angels. As Mr. Wesley observes : ' Angels are not liable to mistake ; their knowledge is perfect in its kind.' But man is liable to mistake; there- fore he cannot in this life be perfect as angels. 48 SEARP ARROWS. 3. " Perfect love does not exclude the c07istant need of the atoneinent. The atonement is the soul of perfection ; for without it j)erfection would cease. The believer cries out from a feeling sense, " Every moment, Lord, I neod The merit of thy death." 4. '■'■ 'Perfeet love does not exclude the possibility of growing in grace. But, on the contrary, the per- fect grow faster than others ; for besides as being nearer the fountain, they are in a better soil and atmosphere. 5. " Perfect love does not exclude the 'possibility of falling away. While we remain in this life, we are probationers ; and even perfect Paul must take care, and keep under his bod}'', lest by any means he iShould become a castaway. 6. " Perfect love does not make us complete in knowledge. There are ten thousand things which we shall never know in this life; for now we see through a glass darkly — now we arc children — now we know in part. When in heaven we shall know even as we are known. But until then we can only see on one side of the curtain. 7. " Perfect love does not deliver us from the infirmities of human nature. From a liability to mistake in our judgment, and act accordingly, we shall never be delivered until this mortal puts on immortality. 8. ^'' Perfect love does not deliver us from the j^os- sibility of being tempted. If Jesus, the master, was SANCTfFWA TION. 49 we tempted to kneel down and worship the devil ; what may the servant of God expect from the same un-God-like foe ?" Another powerful writer, when speaking on this subject, says : — " Entire Sanctification is not extatic joy, and mere rapturous flights of holy heavenly feeling. I admit the sanctified soul may have these feelings at times ; but it is quite jiossible for a real father in Israel (one who has had the blessing for years,) to feel dark as death — crushed with holy sorrow for souls — be daily tormented by the devil — seem to have no power in prayer ; and as to joy, a sim- ple young convert may have ten times the amount. But still he cries, ' In hope against all human hope — self-desperate I believe' " "If you view the blessing as an exemption from infirmity — errors of judgment, or even men- tal dej)ression — you certainly set it too high. 'Jesus wept.' If you imagine the enjoyment of this blessing to be compatible with a sense of anger, pride, envy, worldly-mindedncss or any kind of existing corruption — you evidently -el it too low, and the truth lies betwixt the two extremes." ^' Blessed arc the pure in hearty for they shall see God" — Matthew V. 8. " Be ye tlikrrfore perfect, even as your Father winch is in heaven is perfecty — Mattlu'W v. 48. " Sanctfy them Ihrouyh Thy truth ; Thy word is truth." — John xvii. 17. 50 SHARP ARROWS. In tho last chapter I pointed out what Entire Sanctification is not. In this I shall, by tho help of God, endeavour to show what it EEALLY IS. Sanctification means, to set apart for holy purposes. The entire sanctification of body, soul and spirit, means that each member be set apart for God's glory. Hundreds of good men say justi- fication and sanctification are one and the same blessing ; and that no man is justified who ils the least risings of pride, self-covctousncss, p* i- ness, or bad temper, self will, self-esteem, or any other evil. If the above bo true, then we un- christian nine-tenths of the professors in the land. Bramwell says, " depend upon it, this is the devil's great gain to confound the one with the other," John Wesley, in all his works, makes a distinc- tion; so does Charles in his hymns. Justification (so to speak) empties the heart of sin, but entire sanctification purifies the vessel and employs it for God ; even before we are justi- fied we must set ourselves apart to seek God. Some, doubtless, have obtained botli justification and entire sanctification at one and the same time ; but such cases are very rare. 1. Sanctification destroys inhred sin, or the re- mains of the carnal mind which justification does not. The following is from the pen of a Methodist of the old school, an intimate friend of the late Eev. J. Smith, Wesleyan minister : — SANCTIFICATION. 51 ntiro vour loly soul ipart UHti- imo 3l8 PROOFS TirAT JUSTIFrEI) BELIEVERS ARE NOT DE- LIVERED FROM THE REMAINS OF THE CARNAL MIND. From experience. " The Joys of newly con- verted persons are generally very great. They rejoice in the light of God's countenance all the day long. In this virgin state of salvation, their ways are ways of pleasantness, and all their paths are peace. They weep tears of delight, and breathe sighs that waft to heaven. Wonder not at this, for Blessed is he ichose transgression is fofyiven, whose sin is covered; Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kimjdom of heaven. In this state they some- times fondly liope that all sin is gone, and the days of tribulation are past ; but they soon tind their mistake. Soon the floods of persecution and temptation begin to ri>se, and they find that, in- stead of having put off the harness, they have only just put it on. Then tliey enter the gloomy val- ley of mourning and tears, to combat the world, the flesh and the devil. Did they once think sin was all gone? Alas! now they find it was only dormant, but not dead. Inbred sin sjH'ings up and rages in their thoughts, inclinations, dispositions and tempers, and they feel the rising of peevish- ness, anger and pride ; so that they have to betake to themselves the weapons of prayer and watchfulness, oven to stand their ground. Then the tempter comes in like a flood, and insinuates, 52 SHARP ARROWS. Why yon arc not a child of God, you have deceived your.seif, it is all a delusion ! if you were a child of God, 3^ou would never bo in this way. But you must not believe him : " lie was a liar from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When ho speaketh a lie, he siDeaketh of his own ; for he is a liar, and the father of it." Cast not away your confidence, even if you are not delivered from inbred sin ; for you are the child of God, though you are not cleansed from the last remains of the carnal mind ; but go b}^ simple faith to Jesus, and you shall be. "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." And while you keep believing — Not a cloud sliall arise to <]arkeii the skies, Or hide for one moment the Lord from your i\ves. Now all this, which has been the experience of some hundreds of persons, who are ready at any time to declare it, proves that the remains of the carnal mind are not destroyed by the work of justification. But all this would not satisfy my mind, if it could not in the next place be proved. From Scrlpure. There are many passages that prove this ; but 1 shall only refer to two of them, at the same time I wish to observe, that one scripture proof is valid authority, and a thousand can bo no more. The Apostle Paul, in his first Epistle to the Corinthians, in the third chapter, and from the fir: ph uni as mi SANCTIFICATION, 53 tir.st to tho fourth verse, has written the following plain passage: "And I. brethren, could not speak unto you as to spiritual, but as unto carnal, oven as unto babes in Christ," " I have fed you with milk, and not with meat ; for hitherto you were notable to bear ir, neither yet now are ye able." '' For ye are yet carnal ; for whereas there is among you envj'ing, and strife, and divisions, are yo not carnal, and walk as men ?" For while one saith, I am of Paul ; and another, I am of Apollos, arc ye not carnal ?" Now fror.i this it is clear . 1. That, the Corinthians were born again, or justified., or babes in Christ. 2. That the remains of the carnal mind Avore still in them, being yet car- nal. From this it is evident, that the remains of the carnal mind are not destroyed by the work of justification. In the Epistle to the Galatians he states : "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirii, and the Spirit against the flesh ; and these are contrary, tho one to the other, so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." By this it appears : 1. That the spirit is in justified belie ers. 2. That the flesh is also in them at the ..ame time, and these are contrary the one to the other, so that they cannot do the things that they would. Is not this another proof that the remains of the carnal mind are not ilestroyed b}- the work of justification ; but though this is not done by justification, the ever blessed God Jias engaged to do it by entire sanctiti- cation, even to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. S4 SHARP ARROWS. Entire sanctification is a deliverance from evil thoughts, Bot/rom temptation to evil thoughts. There is no state of grace however high, which will save a man from this. We have not power to prevent Satan from whisfjcring evil thoughts into the ear of the soul, but the sanctified Christian grasps his shield the very moment such thoughts are sug- gested, and quenches the fiery darts. The justified believer oft listens to the whisperings of the evil one, until he detects his heart wandering from Christ. There is a portion of material for the tempter to work upon in a justified believer. But the Sanctified soul can say in deep humility, " the wicked one cometh and findeth nothinjjr in me." Some sanctified Christians are much perplexed to discern between evil thoughts, and only temp- tations to evil thoughts. Satan tries to darken the mind, and then get them to reason, and if he does that, he gains his point. But at a time like that, instead of reasoning one moment with the enemy, let the Christian sing in faith, " The blood of Jesus keeps me clean, Because T do believe." and the Holy (Jhost will soon witness that he has a heart in every thought renewed, and full of love divine. If the enemy cannot shake our faith in this way, he will try through tlie medium of some friend in the Church ; he will tempt him to look at us through his magnifying glass. Wesley ssiys. /I SANCTIFICATION. 55 Hsiyn, " Those who love God with all their heart, must expect most opposition from professors who have gone on for twenty years in an old beaten track, and fancy they arc wiser than all the world. They always oppose the work of sanctification most." So if they see the least error (not sin) in us, it will be magnified into a mountain. And they perhaps will say, "If that be sanctification, I see no difference between it and justification ; and Satan, at such a time, will half crush you ; but stand fast, and ^^ tread him down with holy scorn^ It is a deliverance from evil tempers and disposi- tions. It is true tiiat some justified ticlicvers are ofsuchaquiet turn of mind, tliat nothing seems to move their temper ; and, < the other hand, some who enjoy the blessing of holiness, have a natural warmth of temper, and may sp< '^ firmly, faithfully, and at times rather sharply. But God can take away the very appearance of bad temper, and if the Christian would shine in the world let him watch much on this point. The Rev. John Fletcher was made like unto a lamb in dis- position. Ho have thousands of God's saints, who naturally had most sharp tempers. Come Holy Spirit, ami assist mo to erect a lighthouse on this danu'crous rock, that Siuan mav not wreck so many holy vessels of lionour, if you really have spoken unguardedly', through strong temptation, and Satan whispers, "Give up professing sanctification," sing — 56 Or, SHARP ARROWS. "And shall I therefore let him go, And basely to the tempter yield? No, in the .strength of Jesus, no, I never will give up my shield." Myself I cannot save, myself I cannot keep. But strength in thee I surely have, whose eyelids never sleep. "When I am weak, then am I strong." "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Oh, to be fully sanctified to God, body, soul and spirit ; to be entirely cleansed from the \o\q of money, self-will, lust of the flesh, pride, sectarian bigotry, love offasliioii, dress, display of talent, worldly company, itc, ka. '* The bliss of those that fully dwell, Fully in thee believe ; 'Tis more than angel tongues can tell, Or angels' hearts conceive." It is constantly helieving. Not believing through thick and thin like the Antinomian. But the sanctified Christi;ni has the faith which works by love, and purifies tlio heart. Some justified bcliev. era when they enter the closet, spend half an hour in groaning, sighing, and pleading with God, to humble them, to increase their faith, fill them with the spirit, sanctify them, etc. They spend all or most of their time in prayer, and never believe at all. They tell us they can believe when they are happy ; but the fact is, ent ire holiness is constantly believing. It becomes natural for them to believe and obey, as it is for them to eat, drink, work, SANCTIFICATION. 67 sleep or pray. Thoy have a holy hatred to that low water mark faith, which says, " 'Tis a point I long to know, Oft it causes anxious thought, Do I love the Lord or no, Am I his or am I not?" " No, they know by faith, they know That Jesus for them died ; And all the fruits of grace they show, And know they're sanctified." When Satan tempts and points to their unwor- tliiness, and tells them it is presumption to believe so much, they soon put the foe to flight by singing, " Behold for me the victim bleeds. His wounds are open wide ; For me the blood of sprinkling pleads. And speaks me sanctified." Your faith must never be suffered to lurk in the PAST TENSE, nor run off' in t\\Q future tense, but chain it down with the golden chain of holy love to the present tense. Keep it to this point, — "/ helieve that the Spirit and the blood of Jesus does JUST NOW cleanse my soul^ It is a state of spirilual manhood. John s])eaks of babes, young men and fathers in Christ. It is appalling to tell thatmostof the con- verts to religion remain babes all their lives. See what a little thing will make them take off'euco, turn aside or fall. If our children after the flesh remained so dwarfish, sickly und helpless, as most m SHARP ARROWS. of our spiritual children do, as parents we should be not a little alarmed. We call our sons and daughters men and women when they are twenty years of age ; but thousands of twenty years' pro- fessors are still onl}^ babes in Christ — still have to be rocked in the cradle of comfort, and be fed with milk, instead of being fathers and mothers in the Lord. There has been much contention in the Church, whether entire Sanctification be a separate and distinct blessing from Justification ; or, whether it be only going on and growing stronger in the Lord, li'vo a child which when born is a man in miniature ; and by eating, drink- ing, sleeping and taking plenty of exercise, it grows up to manhood. Wesley and the holy Fletcher speak of it as a distinct blessing ; so do other distinguished Methodists. Tbcy talk plainly of enjoying pardon and going on in God's holy ways, and yet tell us the time when they wrestled for the second blessing, or entire Sanctification ; and the place where they obtained it, quite as clearly as they speak of pardon. Whether they were mistaken or not. one thing we think is clear, that those who hold the views of Wesley, and thus obtain and keep the blessing, arc more useful than l)efore — whether it be a second bles- sing or not. ]3ut wc will not quibble with any man, if ho admits that Sanctification implies " To have a lieait in every thought renewed, And full of love divine," and declares ho enjoys it. Wc will not tind fault SANCTIFICATION. 59 with him, wliothcr he obtained it when converted, or gradually or instantaneously since, God dwells in, and takes up all the room in his believing lieart, and he is living and working with all his heart for God; it is enough. A writer in an Old Methodist newspaper, America, boldly declares, " J have given God my undivided heart, believing that he does accept it, and believing that ' the blood of Christ cleanseth me from all sin.' Like a stone which the builder takes and puts on the foundation, so do T lie on Christ's blood and God's promises; giving God my soul and body a living sacrifice, and covenant- ing with him never to doubt more : my language is, sink or swim — lost or saved — I will believe ; I will sooner die than doubt. This decision of mind, attended witli a refusal to regard frames and feelings as any criterion of my state ; but believ- ing he does save me, whether tilled or emptied — raised or cast down ; leaving the quantity of com- fort to God's wisdom, knowing that I am not saved hy feeling, but hy faith. It is holiness I want, and have — not ecstacij. A solid peace is my birthright ; with that I am content. If God give me more, I am thankful ; if not, lam content, knowing that the trial of my faith is more precious than uncer- tain ecstacies. i never look at my im))erfcctions and shortcomings, without believing that his blood does, that moment, wash them all away. One act of faith does more good than twenty years' prayers and duties without it. My prayer is now difi'erent 60 SnARr ARROWS. to what it was when I was in a justified state. I don't ask, expecting an answer at some otljor time, but I believe I receive It now, lohile I am praying, and the Holy Ghost says, you have it." In the life of the holy Carvossa (pngo 103), we find the following bold declaration in reference to enjoying the blessing of holiness. It is from the pen of Counsellor Drew, St. Ann's, Jamaica. It appears that Carvossa had written to him on the subject of Holiness. And in this letter wc gather that he (Carvossa) had pointed out the waj'- that he himself obtained, and kept the blessing of Entire Sanctification. In answer, Mr. Drew says: '' Your own experience of the work of full salvation in your own soul has assisted me to gain a correct view of that invaluable blessing, I, for a little time enter'ained an erroneous notion, that when it is once attained the soul lias acquired the utmost fullness of holiness and perfection that it can attain in this world. This i see was a snare, and Satan turned it against me — for after the Lord's spirit witnessed this blessing to me, and enabled me to witness the good confession before many. I was assailed with such a storm of tempta- tions of various kinds as T never had before expe- rienced, and Satan suggested my then weakness as an argument that I had deceived myself; but I was graciously supported- -and found it impossible to disbelieve. This I now continually experience, so that I can no more doubt my spiritual life than my natural ; and occasionally the intrinsic know- SANCTIFICATION. 61 ledge aiul ussnraiice of this is very strong. How- ever, from this I found I was but a babe in Sanctifi- cation. I learned that I Avas infirm — yet, as J loved the Lord with all my heart, and served him with all my powx>rs, that infirmity no longer alarmed me, there being no particle of sin mixed up with it. I am thankful in being enabled to say, that my faith being increased, the work of faith has proceeded, and the fruits of faith become more apparent. I feel niore unreservedly devoted to the Lord — more love to God and to every child of man — more deadncss to the world, and more power over whatever is evil, or from the evil one. I feel that I am growing in stature, and 1 have an abiding and an assure! faith that the Lord will preserve me until 1 attain the fullness of the stature of a man in Christ." Thank Ood for snch'a yloi'ious tcstlmonif. llev. J. Fletcher says : " If every ignorant, involuntary^ mistake is sin, then in this sense I am not free from sin, for 1 am not free from these things. But if 1 may venture to l)eliove my Lord Jesus — if love be the fulfilling of the law, then I know that these things are consistent with love — with a single eye — with a pure heart ; I therefore dare to reckon thus in the presence of you all, and I mean to declare myself henceforth before men and angels — dead in- deed to sin, but alive to God through Jesus Christ." I shall endeavour to prove that Entire Sane, tification is a promised purchased blessing — con- sequently attainable now. es SHARP ARROWS. 1st. God commands Christians to be holj/, or Entirely Sanctified. God would never ur^o Christians to a higher state of holiness, if ho wore not willing to sanctify them. Jesus lived, died, rose again, ascended to heaven, and intercedes that we may be sanctified. The Holy Spirit moves, urges, leads to the blood, and will apply it in all its cleansing- efficacy if wo only believe. That wo may enjoy this blessing, "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost unitedly agree" in purchasing, offering, and helping us to keep it. Hallelujah. I give the following from a Methodist of great repute in soul saving, and for pressing home the blessing of holiness. lie has thousands of spiri- tual children. He says: — ^' Scrij^titre precvrtts prove that i/ou may he per- Jected in love. "Sanctify yourselves, therefore, and be ye holy : for I am the Lord your God. Hear, O Israel ; the Lord our God is one Lord : and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength; this is the first command- ment. And the second is like unto it, namely this, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which i? in heaven is perfect." From these commandments it is clear that God claims the hearts of his creatures. He has a right to make this demand, and we ought not to resist ; for he has made us, preserved us, redeemed us, and SANCTIFICATION. 63 forgiven U8 our sins ; so that it m but reasonable that those whom he lias loved should love him in return. And if he loved us with perfect love, the love returncHl ou<<;ht to be perfect also. It must be possible to love God with all our hearts, or else ho would never demand them. Oh, how amazing it is, that worms should be allowed to love their maker — that dust and ashes should be allowed to love their God : and yet so it is, for the ever- blessed God says to his creature, man, My son, give mc thine heart. Sing 171 faith, — " Take my poor heart and let it be For ever closed to all but thee ; Seal thou my breast and let me wear That pledge of love for ever there." 2. Scripture promises prove, that you may be perfected in love. ''And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean : from all your filthincss, and from all your idols, will I cleanse j^ou. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and 1 will give you a heart of flesh." Most undoubtedly, perfect love or Entire Sancti- fication is offered in these promises. And it is equally certain, that the promise Maker is able to perform His promises, for He fills heaven with love. 64 SHARP ARROWS. The flame of every Heraph wan kindled by Ilim, 80 that Hurely, lie can set a human heart on lire. His faithtiilneHS is as great as His power, His promise never fails: crowns, kingdoms, worlds, systems, suns, moons, and stars may fail ; hut the promise of (lod will stand when the heavens turn rod, and the earth takes fire : " For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fultilled. God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that lie sliould repent : hath lie said, and shall he not do it? or hath ho spoken, and shall he not make it good ?" " He wills that I should holy be, What can withstand His will ; The council of His grace in me, He surely will fulfil.'' Dr. Adam Clarke in his comment on Matthew V. 48, observes, " Can we bo fully saved from sin in this life," is an important question, to which this text gives a satisfactory answer. " Ye shall be perfect, as your Father who is in heaven is perfect," As in His infinite nature there is no sin, nothing but goodness and love ; so in your finite nature, there shall dwell no sin, "for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus shall make you free from the law of sin and death." Eoaaans viii. 2. God shall live in, fill, and rule your hearts, and in what He fills, neither Satan nor sin can have any part. 3. Scripture prayers prove that you may he perfected in love. " For this cause I bow my knees f^ANCTIFICAJTON. 65 unto tho Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant 3'ou, accordinii^ to the riches of lii.H t^lory, to bo strengthened with might by his Sj)irit in the inner man ; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith ; that ye being- rooted and grounded in love, may bo able to compreliond with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height ; and to know tho love of Christ, which passoth knowledge, that yo might bo filled with all the fullness of God. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and 1 pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto tho coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." Now, tho Apostlo was inspired by the Spirit of God ; and as such, can any one suppose that ho would pray for that which could not be answered, or that might not be answered ? No, by no moans. It seems as though the blessed God was infinitely desirous to perfect the souls of his people, and that ho saw his people resting short of their privilege ; and therefore tho Holy Ghost speaks out of tho heart of the Apostlo, for this most desirable end. Tho Lord does not insi:)iro these prayers to torment his people, but that they may be answered, and th oir souls may bo filled with love. " The thinsj: surpasses uU iny tliouglit,^ But faithful is my Lord, Through uubeliof 1 stagger not, For God hath spoke the word." 66 SHARP ARROWS. a Let the Christian believer see the glorious prize of'liis high calling, and seek earnestly after the onjoyment of all the religion it is his privi- lege to experience while in the body. Jesus Christ is able to save to the very uttermost all them that come unto God by him, seeing Ihat ho ever livcth to make intercession lor them.' " I/ct others hold their chains, For sin and Satan plead, And say, from sin's remains They never can be freed ; Rejoice in hope, rejoice with me. We shall from all our sins be free." 4. Scripture jirophccies prove that you may be perfected in love. ''When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have j^urged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof, by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called the way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those : the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for unclcanness." These prophecies are always understood to refer to gospel times — to the SANCTIFICA TION. G7 present time ; and undoubtedly it is Perfect Holi- ness, or Entire Sanctificution, of which they speak. They intimate, that (lod will cleanse his people from all sin, and fill their hearts with perfect love. Xone of the Scripture prophecies have ever failed, nor they never will ; for (lod is watching in the heavens, and he takes care that every prophecy is fulfilled at the time, and in the place before appointed. Those predictions concerning; perfect love were first fulfilled on the day of Pentecost: they have been fulfilled in thousands of instances since that time: they are now being fulfilled, and will continue to be lulnllod, as long as Messiah keeps his throne. " Haste agairij ye days ot grate." What thousands in the early days of Methodism obtained the bles' ing; and thank God the old holy doctrine is reviving again, especially amongst the Methodists in America. " Oh, come ami dwell in me Spirit of power witliin, And bring the gloriovo liberty Irom all my inbred sin." "Cleanse the thougnts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy SpM'it, that we may per- fectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy name.'* 5. Scripture precedents prove that you may be perfected in love. The opposers of Entire Sanctifi- cation frequently challenge us, in their puny way, to find tlunn sonic entirely sanctified persons. 68 SHARP ARROWS. Now this is no task, for those were entirely Hanc- tified of whom St. John waid, '' As lie is, so are we in this world." And also tliose to whom St. Paul wrote, when he said, "Lotus thei'cfore, as mani- as be perfect, he thus minded." And doubtless tliose who were in the upper room at Jerusalem, when the might}' rushing- wind blew, got nlled with perfect love ; and there are thousands of living witnesses at the present day who can testify it, when the}' are not before swine ; but tliey do not see it needful to cast their pearls before them. Now, as God is no respecter of persons, and his salvation is free for all, you may love him with all your heart. You may ho as holy as Bramwell, or Wesley, or Fletcher, or Peter, or Paul, oi- John ; because you have the same God, the same pro- mises, the same throne of grace, and the same glorious dispensation of the Spirit; for, Behold, now is the accepted time ; behold, now is the day of salvation. 6. Seripturr inrltdtionf^ prorc fhat ijoii nuti/ he pcrfrofpri in locc, " Jesus stood uj) and cried, saying. if a: y man thirst li-t him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on mo as the Seriptures hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the spirit, which they that believe on him should receive : for the Holy Ghost was not yet given ; because that Jesus was not yet glorified. Hear this, poor thirsty soul, the Saviour prepares thy way. Then come. Ply back corrui)tion, let him come. Ply back false SANCTIFICA TION. 69 sentiment, let him come. Fly back old Lucifer, let him come. He may come, he shall come, Christ loads the way, he clears the way, he has a right — a God-given right — a blood-bought right ; he may come and welcome." Come poor, thirsty half-believer, come. Come at once to the fountain and driniv. " When may we expect to attain this happi- ness ? is a question of great importance, and requires a pointed an:;wer. But there is no diffi- culty : from every view of the subject, it appears that the blessing of a clean heart may be obtained in this life. * '-^^ ^ To every believer the new heart and right spirit are offered in the present moment — and may just now be received — for as cleansing and renewing the heart is the work of God- -His almighty power can perform it in a moment * * * This moment, therefore, wo may be emptied of sin, tilled with holiness and become truly happy." " Obedient faith that waits on Thee, Thou never wilt reprove ; J3ut Thou wilt form Thy Son in me, And perfect mo in love." 7. Scripture exhort atiom prove that you may he perfect in love. God has promised those who arc perfect in love, that Ho will dwell in them; and walk in them; and be their God; and that they sliall be his ]ieo])lo ; that he will bo a Father unto them; and thai they shall be his sons and daugh- 70 SHARP ARROWS. ters. St. Paul saw that those were ajreat privileges ; and therefore he exhorts us in the following: nervous language : " Having therefore these promi- ses, dearly heloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all tilthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (Jod's templesought to be clean, his children ought to be clean ; for tilth in the flesh is an abomination to tlio Lord ; it is an abominable thing which his soul hateth ; there- fore, let us cleanse ourselves. The children of a kintc oua-ht not to be filthy; therefore let us cleanse ourselves, that we may be tit to stand in his presence. It is easy to be seen, that it is our privilege to be clean ; therefore let us cleanse ourselves. We shall feel pleasantor when we are clean. "When Jesus makes my heart liis liome, Mj' sins shall all depart, And, Lo, he saith, I quickly conie, To fill and rule thy heart." h thee. Thousands have come and proved me, and alwavs found me true. But I wait for thee, 1 cannot give thee up. Thou hast already cost me much, and still my bowels yearn. Come, O come, wilt thou not l)e made clean? when shall it once he wide '' Wli(jn sliall I .scL' the wckoim; hour Tlitit pliuits iny (Jod in me, Spirit of healti), and lit'u and power, And perfect liberty." See Dr. Clarke's Commentary w\ 1 John iii. .') : "And every man that hath this hope in him purilieth himself, even as he is pure," "till lie is as completely saved from his sins, as Christ was free from sin. Many tell us tliat this can never be done, for no man can be saved from sin in this life. Will these persons permit us to aslc. How much sin may we l)e saved from in this life? Something must be ascertained on this subject. 1. 1'hat the soul may have some determinate object in view. 2. That it may not lose its time, or employ its faith and energy, in i)raying for what 72 SHARP ARROWS. is impossible to be attained. iSTovv, as he was manifest to take away our sins, (ver. 5,) to destroy the works of the devil, (ver. 8,) and as His blood cleanseth from all sin, if He destroys the work of the devil, and sin is the work of the devil, and if he who is born of God docs not commit sin, (ver. 0,) then he must be cleansed from all sin ; and while he continues in tliat stale, he lives without sinning- against God ; for the seed of God remain- eth in him, and he cannot sin because he is born or beg-otten of God, (ver. 9.) How strangely warped, blinded by pi-ejudice and system must men be, who, in the face of such evidence as this, will still dare to maintain that no man can be saved from sin in this life, it is a miserable excuse to say they do not sin so much as they used to do; and they do not sin huhifuallij, on\y occasionally. Alas for this system ! (*ould not the grace that saved tham parti((llij, save iho.m perfect I y ^ Could not that power of God that saved theni from hahltual sin, save them from orcasional^ or acciden- tal sin ? Shall we su])pose that sin, how ])0tcnt. soever it may be, is as potent as the Spirit and grace of Christ? And may we not ask, If it was for God's glory and their good that they were partiaUij ndvcd, would it not have been mcrelij for God's glory and their good if they had been^yrr- fectly sewed f But the letter and s|)ii'iL of CJod's word, and the design and end ol Christ's coming, is to sa\'e His [ic.jMe /'/V///* (heii- sins." U. T/ie birth, life, deatli, resurrection, and inter' SANCTIFICA TION. I inter cession of Christ, j^roi-c that you may be perfect in love, lie was born to t>avc irom nil hin. "This was tlie grand theme of the choral angels to the shepherds. For what the hiw could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh : that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but afler the Spirit." And for the same pur- pose he lived — he sanctified himself — he set him- self apart, to be a man of righteousness, labour and love : "For their sakcs I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth." For this cause ho died the shameful, painful, linger- ing, accursed death of the cross: perfecting souls in love, and receiving them to glory, were the objects he had in view, when he endured the cross and despised the shame. " AVho gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar i)eo[)le, zealous of good works." As he had this object in view during his birth, life and death, so, by his resurrection from the grave of corruption, he set us an example of rising from a death of sin, to the lile of Clod: and also proved it to bo our ])rivilege. '' For if we have been jdanted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also considered in the likeness of his resurrection. For in that he died, he died unto sin once : but in that he liveth, he liveth unto Cfod. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed un^o sin, but alive unto tiod through Jesus 74 SHARP ARROWS. Christ our Lord." Reckon ! That is, set your sinn down on one side of the buhmce sheet, and the merits of Jesus down on the other, uiid then cast up both sides, luul you will tind your debt is paid and the law is satisticd ; and while you calculate, you will tind yourself a living num — DEAD indeed unto sin, and alive unto God. That is, you have nothing to do with sin, and sin has nothing to do with you ; but that you are alive unto God. As Jesus rose from the dead for this ])urpose, he also ascended into heaven, and maketh intercession, at God's right hand, for the same pur- pose. And if we go to (Jod by him, he is able to save us to the very uttermost. AVhat his uttermost is, 1 cannot tell. The finite mind cannot reach either the depth, leugtli, breadth, or height of God's uttermost. But 1 dare ventui-e to say, that wlien he saves a man, to all intents and purposes, it implies that ho saves him from all sin, and tills liis heart Avith love. Wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make inter- cession lor them. It is true we are dreadfully degraded by sin, even to the uttermost dust of corruption ; but Jesus will show his poor vvorms how to creep to his ci'oss, where his uttermost mercy liows, and saves from the uttermost, to the uttermost, all those that go to God by him. * I want the witnuss, Lord, That all I do is rij^ht; According to Thy will and wonl, Well ploa.sin^- in Thy sight." SANCTTFICA TION. 75 10. Tlic offi res of Jesus prove flmf i/ou )nrnj he perfeef in fore. As u j")ro])lu't, ho decl.'irod the U'lilh to ihc people, juhI Npak'O Jis iiev(M' iiiim sjiake. Jle saw iriLu Hio ;.»r.;>.;M(> world : ho Jilso saw into tlio hearts of men ; so that he liud resoun v., T^-liidj no other man ever had. His words were spirit and life, and they eleansed from sin. Onee he •said: "Now ye are eloan, through the word which I have spoken unto you." His exceeding g-reat and precious promises, and also his wiiole word was given, that we might be cleansed from pollution, and made partakers of the divine nature. And the nature of Ciod is love. As a priest, Jesus cleanseth his people with his own blood. And O, how amaziiig is the virtue of his love. " For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the ])urifying of the flesh : how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit otlcred himself without spot to God, jiurge your conscience from deatl works to serve the living (fod!'' That blood sprinkles now the throne of grace; and so shall he sprinkle many nations. And as a U'ing our Jesus reigns, subduing our enemies under his feet. For our king is on his holy hill in Zion, and ho must reign ; and he shall reign, until his foes are made his foot-stool. One of the enemies ol'his throne is sin ; and ho is now destroying it by the pi-ea(diing of his word, and the down-jiouring of his spirit. For Jesus was made king, on the throne of his Father David : V6 SITARP ARROWS. " That wc boinn; dclivorod out of the hands of our enomioM might serve liim without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the (^i^y° ofom life" and b ^HARP ARROWS. *\ ■ ■ '-- i" I'jGa'hGiViS w)»v every man t^hould bo entirely \ Hcinctiricd to iro<*W ■ 1. It (■; adin'i/ it lie futirrhj sanctified to God. ■ TJcriise Cou has ••omnanded his ereaturcs to love him witli ail ti.<.ir hourts. And whosoever wil- f'ldly neglects thus to love him, commits a groat sin. He loses justification, bccauao he commits a known sin, l)y neglecting a known duty. And ■ 'bpfore that nuin can ever enjoy justification again, he must come with humble confession to the blood of Christ; and he must rely on the atonement for forgiveness. Some persons think it is an inditler- ent matter of choice, whether they love God per- fectly, or not : and therefore they look at it as a ti'ifling matter, of no particular moment. Eut let such persons read over the l*]pistles carefull}', and I venture to say, before they have done so, they will see it an imperative duty to love God with all the heart. " Love God with all yoiu' soul ami strength, With all yonr heart and mind ; And love your neighbour as yourself, Be faithful, just and kind. Deal with another, as you'd have Another deal Avith you ; What you're unwilling to receive, Jie sure i/ou wver dnP Ileal sanctified souls never w'hisper news, tittle-tattle, backbite their neighbours ; nor pay SANCTIFTCA TTON. 81 bo entirely ficd to God. ires to love isocvei" Wil- li its a groat ! commits a ;lut3'. And [\tion again, [o the blood »ucment for an iiidiiler- vo God per- »k at it as a ,t. But let refill ly, and no so, they od with all iigth, isper news, 8 ; nor pay attention to the slanderous reports of Mr. . They say, Just look into your own heart, will yovL ? 2. II is reasonable that ,< iry professor of religion he sanetified to God entirely. When 3'ou were sin- ners, you were all sin and no holiness : so now you are professors, it is l)ut reasonable you should bo all holiness and no sin. Surel}' it is reasonable for 3'ou to bo as entire in the serviee of God, as you formerly were in the service oi the devil. It is but reasonable that the creature should love its perfect Creator. Jt is certainly reasonable that the redeemed should perfectly love his com])as- sionate Redeemer. The needy ouglit to love his benefactor. It is reasonable that the delivered slave should love his kind deliverer. The child ought periectly to honour his father. Now, God is our (*reator, lledoemer, ijonofactor. Deliverer, Father and Governor: therefore avo ought per- fectly to love and obey Ilim. 3. Wlwn (I person is horn (Ujain, snnetifiration is hegun, and he is proportionately happy : hut entire sanctifieotion v}akc,s him more holy, and eemser/nently more hitppy. Now happiness is (lie quest of every human creature, and but lew Unci it ; because but few are holy : for holiness and happiness must of necessitv U'o toixethei'. Wicked men are un- happy, because they are unholy. tJood men are ha]>j)y men, because they arc holy. Devils are unha])py, because they are unholy. Angels are ha]i])y beings, because the^' are holy. And the ever blessed (ioil is perfectly happy, because ho is 82 SHARP ARROWS. perfectly lioly. Therefore, as holiness mikI h.'i))pl- iie.ss kee[) cxiiel pace, if you will be very hu])py, you must be very holy. 8in is the spring of misery, and holiness is the handmaid of joy. Therefore be ye holy. " But some may say, ' Is not sanctifieation a gradual us ^yell as an instantaneous ^vork?' Yes. You may obtain a growing yietory oyer sin from the moment you are justified. But this is not enough: The body of sin, the carnal mind, must be destroyed : the old man must be slain, or we cannot put or the new man, which is created after God (or which is the image of God), in righteous- ness and true holiness; and this is done in a moment. To talk of this work being gr'',dual would be nonsense, as much as if we talked of gradual justification. *•' However, most persons arc a long time after they are justified, before they are sanctified wholly. But need it be so ? By no means. A thousand years are with the Lord as one day, and one day as a thousand years. MTe that believcth shall be saycd.' "AVHiere art thou then, O believer, who art longing foi" all that righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy (J host, spoken of? This kingdom of heaven is at hand ; it is nigh thcc ; it is here ; take it. Xow believe ; wait for nothing." 4. When a person is horn (Kjain, s<>t a holy man, because the conduct of the holy man reproves his deeds. Bui when a sinner is near death, he sends for the holiest man that he can find, (ro, cries he, and fetch that man of God. And so, you see, both God and man will use the clean vessel; therefore bo ye clean. '). ]Vhrn (I person is horn af/<(in, snnctlfication is hcijnn, ami he is proporfionatcli/ safe ; but entire sanc- tifiration makes him more holi/, and eonsecjuenthj more safe. The justified are but <^'hildren in grace, and therefore they are proportionately weak : but the entii'cly sanctified are men in Christ Jesus, and therefore thej' are proportionately strong. The storm will easily disturb the roots of a tree that is but newl}' planted, while the sturdy oak will brave the storm and stand its ground. This is frequently the case in religion ; while the weak in grace are carried about by every doctrine and tradition of men, the true believer will stand firm and prove that it is a ij-ood thing that the heart be estab- lished in grace. Th.erefore, if you would be safe, when t!u' winds blow and the trum|)ets roar, get yoin- soul established in grace, or entirely sanc- titied to God. 84 SHARP ARROWS. 6. The more holij you are in this world, the more glorious will he your reward in the icorld to come. There will be ditferent degrees of glory in heaven, because every man will be rewarded according to his works. While one shines as the firmament, another will shine as the stars. ''There is one glory of the sun, and another glor}' of the moon, and another glory of the stars ; lor one star diftereth from another star in gloiy. So also is the resurrection of the dead." Some persons have been amazingly acted upon by considering the different degrees of glory in the heavens, and they have been very desirous to get near the throne. While others have said they should be happy, if they did but just get into heaven. What ignoble minds are these last. Poor, lean soul ! while thou thinkest to get just into heaven, by thy coldness thou mayest be cast out. And then once lost, lost for ever. Let us get made holy, that we may be tit to work ; and then let us work hard and wisely, that we may have a glorious reward. For God will reward us according to our works. Let us point to the mistakes that hundreds make in seeking the blessing of sanctirication. L Some fast and pray much in order to obtain it. 2. Some make great sacrifices in dress, orna- ments, food and furniture. They give much awiy to missions, schools, &c., &c. 3. Others believe (rod is able, willing, wail- ing, anxious to cleanse them now. They believe SANCTIFICATION. 85 the Spirit and the blood arc cflicacious, that they nhall never be more worthy than at the present. Yet they do not get the blessing. Let us, by the help of God, poiiu out the way in which any really justified believer, who feels his need of the blessing, and earnestly pants to enjoy it, may secure it. We have already spent much time in proving that Father, Son and Spirit are ahle, icilling, anxious and waitimj to cleanse the soul of the justified believer from the last remains of in- bred sin, and give him a heart " in every thought renewed and full of love divine " — perfect and right, and pure and good ; yes, He wills that I should holy be, what can withstand His will ? So there is no excuse for us Chris- tians, if we live without the blessing. God says, " My Son, give me thine heart," and He is in earnest j and we oft sing — " Take my poor lieart, and let it be For ever closed to all l)iit Thee ; Seal Tiiou niv breast, and let me wear That pledge of love for ever there." What do we mean? Are we in earnest, or do we mock the Lord with a solemn sound upon a thought- less tongue ? W e sing- " Refining firo go through my heart, Illuminate my soul ; Seatter thy life through every part, And sanctify the whole.'' 86 SHARP ARROWS. Let me ask again : what do we mean when wo thus «ing? are we carnoistly panting to enjoy the blessing, that we may bo more like our heavenly Master, and more useful to souls ; or are we sel- tish, in wishing to enjoy the blessing, that wo may bo more happy? Are we clear in the bless- ing of justification ? Do wo feel our need of entire sanctilication ? then remember we have the blood-bought power to receive the blessing now, while we are reading these lines; remejuber, wo .shall never get it by fasting, ])rayer, reading, giving, doing, but by simple faith alone. Xow say " Faith to bo clcausod Thou knowest I have, For Thou that taith hast Kiven." 1. We mv)it />(■ mtirclij mnctijicd to God, by heiievlng the suitable truth. Any justified believer in the Lord Jcsn< ' 'hrist, who feels liis need of entire sanctificai - lli££ 1= u lilll.6 V] <^ /i ^ c^l .^ .V A *> ./ y /^ PhotDgraphic Sciences Corporation M ^ ;\ ^^L # 4r> 23 WEST MAIN STREeT WEBSTER, NY. 14S80 (716) 872-4503 ;V 92 SHARP ARROWS. "The devil does not care for a Christian believing that God is able, willing, waiting and anxious to sanctify the soul.. Nor does he care for him believing that God will do it some time. No, it is faith in the present tense that Satan dreads. Believing God just now does it. Come, my dear brother and sister, don't be afraid to walk on the sea to Jesus, as Peter did. Hark ! He bias you meet Him. Now step out (so to speak) on the naked promise, and the Spirit and the blood will fully cleanse." "I feel that my soul lays hold on the full salvation of God; and I believe, yea, I will believe that it is mine." *' Sink or swim, the believer must learn to plunge himself into the ocean of infinite truth and love." " Wc must believe for the blessing, and then receive it ; not receive it, and then believe for it.' Hundreds of Methodists who once enjoyed this great blessing, but who have lost it through unbelief, are deterred from seeking, lest they should lose it again. They know that they were more holy, happy and useful, when they lived in its enjoyments, but feel as if they dare not ask for it again. Pipe says, in his Dialogues (p. 89), "But supposing that, by some sudden temptation or otherwise, you should be hurried into your former l natural disposition, and find that by trifling unguarded expressions, boasting, complaining, &c., you have grieved the Holy Spirit; it does not at SAirCTIFlCATION. 93 all follow, that because you have fallen down, all your bonoa a.Y€ broken, or that by one such trans- gression the whole body of sin has returned into your soul." But the fact is, that if you have lost it fifty times, yon must get it again, or you will lose justification; and, if you don't mind, your soul in at the bargain. Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord. A Methodist minister makes the following plain, pointed remarks on the subject: — " To those who profess to be seeking a clean heart, we generally ask some such questions as these : Are you heartily tired of your inbred cor- ruptions, and earnestly desirous of being delivered from them ? If they say they are, we frequently ask them how long they have been seeking the blessing, and how they expect to obtain it; and as it is probable that these pages may be read by some who are seeking the blessing, and also by others whoso dmty it is to instruct the seeker, how to obtain it, I will here set down the method I myself have pursued, and. also mention some of the causes that liave operated to prevent Christians from obtaining the blessing as soon as they other- wise might have done : — " I recollect once being at a prayer meeting, which was held after preaching at a village in the Melton Mowbray circuit, England. I saw a young woman kneeling in one corner of the church, appar- ently very earnestly engaged in prayer. I went 94 SHARP ARROWS. and knelt beside lier, and said, Wliat is it you ar seeking, pardon or holiness? Oh, said she in a manner that bespoke vory great earnestness, Uh i I am, seeking a clean heart. I said, How long have you been seeking it ? — six months. And how many times have you praj'od to God for it? — five hundred times. Well, and do you believe that your heavenly Father wished you to wait six months before he gave you a clean heart; must not (iod desire his own glory, and would you not have brought more glory to him, these last six months, if you had lived in the enjoyment of the blessing, than you could do without it? She acknowledged she would. I then said, Vou say you have prayed for it more than tivc hundred times; now when (Jod says, 'Ask, and ye shall have.' Does ho mean, ask tive hundred times, and go away five hundred times without it? I said, you ought to have thought long before this, that the hindrance must be all in yoii, and you ought to have discovered what it was. J then said to her the Loril is williiii; to give vou tlie blessine(-l from sin ; besides, the promises are made to all, and the Holy Clhost is given to make us Iioly; foi" the apostle assures us our bodies are temples of the Holy Gho^t ; and 98 SHARl' ARROWS. declares that if any man defile this temple (and wo know 8in will defile it,) him will God destroy. One person says, " If I were to enjo}' the blessing, and to ])rofoss it, every one would be watching me t ; see if they could discover any thing in my walk or temper, that was inconsistent with my profession ; and if 1 at any time lost the blessing, 1 should bring the doctrine itsolf into disrepute." In answer to all such, I would say, " If you were a distance from home, and some per- son offered to give you £100, you would not refuse it, and say I had rather not have it, as I niay ])0s- sibly lose it or be robbed oC it before 1 get home." Certainly there is a possibility of losing it, as we are still liable to sin, to keep the body under, to deny ourselves, to watch especially against the M'orld, the flesh antl the devil. What Methodist, who believes that God speaks the truth, and that Mr. Wesley's views on sancti- fication arc scripdn-nl, can read the following, which i« from his ])en, without at once obtaining the blessing? It is as clear as the light at noon- day:— The first, second and third steps in the way to entire holiness will be easy to take, namely? — 1. That God hath promised the blessing. 2. That lie is able to perform it. 3. That lie is willing to do it now. But the fourth step, that He doth do it, will take a strug- gle. But it is worth that. lie says : " But what is that faith whereby we are sane- SANCTIFICA riOX. 99 the unc- tified, saved I'rom sin and perfected in love ?" It i.s .'i divine evidence and conviction : — 1. That (lod liatli |)roniised it in the Holy Scriptures. Till we are thoroughly sutistied ol' this, there is no moving one step further. And one would imagine there needed not one word more, to satisfy a reasonable man of this, than the ancient promise, " Then will I circumcise thy heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." How clearly does this express the being perfected in love ! How strongly does it imply the being saved from all sin ! For as long as love takes up the whole heart, what room is there for sin ? It is a divine evidence and conviction : — 2. That what God hath promised He is able to perform. Admitting, therefore, that with men it is impossible to bring a clean thing out of that which is unclean, to purify the heart from all sin, and to fill it with holiness ; yet this creates no difficulty in the case, seeing 'with CJod all things are possible.' And surely no one ever imagined it was possible to any powder less than tJiat of the Almighty ! Wwi if God speak, it shall be done. God said, 'Let there he light: and there was light.' 8. God is able and willing to sanctify you now. aVnd why not ? Is not a moment to Him the same as a thousand years ? He cannot want more time to accomplish whatever is His will. And He can- not want or stay for any more worthiness or fitness 100 SUARr ARROWS. in the persona IIo is pleasod to honour. Wo may therefore boUry say, .it any point of time, ' Now is the day of salvation.' 'To-day if ye will hear Ilin voice, harden not your hearts.' ' Bohol.l ! all things arc now ready, come unto the marria,i^e.' " "To this confidence, that (Jod is both able and willing to sanctify us now, there needs to bo added one thini; more : a divine evidence and con- viction that lie doth it. In that hour it is done. God says to the inmost soul, ' According to thy faith be it unto thee.' Then the soul is pure from every .spot of sin ; * it is clean from all unrighteous- ness.' The believer then experiences the deep meaning of these solemn words, 'If we walk in the light as He is in the light : wo have fellow- ship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.' " " But does God work this invent work in the .soul gradually' or instantaneously?" Perhaps it may be gradually wrought in some, I mean in this sense, they do not advert to the particular moment wherein sin ceases to be. But it is infi- nitely desirable, were it the will of God, that it should be done instantaneously ; that the Lord should destroy sin by the breath of His mouth, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. And so He generally does, the fact of which, there is evidence to satisfy any unprejudiced person. Thou, therefore, look for it every moment. Look for it in tho way above described; in all tho.sc good works whereunto thou art " created anew in SANCTIFICATION. 101 Christ Jesus." There is then no danger ; you can bono worse, if you !u .o better for that expec- tation. For were you to bo (lisapiiointeil in youi- hoj)0, Htill you loso nothint^. But you shnll not bo (iisap})ointed of your liopo ; it will eonio and not tarry. Tiook for it then every day, every hour, every moment. Why not this hour, this raomcnt? Certainly you may look for it now, if you believe it is by faith. And by this token you may surely know whether you seek it by faith or works. If by works, you want somethini^ to bo done first, before you are sanctified. Vou think, *I must first be, or do, this or that.' Then you are seeking it by works unto this day. If you seek it by faith, you may expect it as you are: then expect it now. It is of im]>ortanco to observe that there is an inseparable connexion between those three points — expect it by faith, expect it as you are, and expect it now ! To deny one of them, is to deny them all. To allow one, is to allow them all Do you beliove we are sanctified by faith? Be true, then, to your principle; and look for this blessing just as you are, neither better nor worse; as a ])oor sinner that has nothing tf pay, nothing to plead, but Christ died, And if you look for it as you are, then expect it now. Stay for nothing : why should you ? Christ is ready ; and He is all you want. He is waiting for you; Ho is at the door! Let your inmost soul cry out, — D r 102 SIIAIiJ' ARROWS. '• Come in, romu in, thou honvcnly Guust ! Nor hence again loinovo : But 8U1) with ni(!, iind let the foast 15e cvt-rlastiiig h)VL'." Now the holy stni^^^^lo coino.s on; now, in the very desperation of faith, lot a holy violence bo oxercisod in the actoflil'lin^ up thy streaming eyes to tho cross — in hoj)0 against all human hope — sclf-tlespcrately believe. Come, 1 would not lead thee a step in the wrong way (on mis vital point) for a world. Just now say iu faith — " All tliat ll(t iiatli, for iiiiiio I daiiii, I daro — 1 will — I do bulitve in Jisiis' ilanio." Methinks I hear Satan whisper, (and I fear you listen to him.) He says you cannot refrain from .nil sin in thoughts, wordb and actions; you will get wrong in business, with }our children, servants, fel- low-saints, (Jcc, cS^c. J)ocs he thus tempt you, as Carvossa said, " you should look wicked at the devil,'' and sing — " I Khali, a weak and holple.ss worm, Tiirough .Jesus strengthening nie, ImpoH.siliilities perform. And live from .sinning free."' Now let us humbly bow before the Lord, and say, without a doubt, — " Fatlier, into Tiij' hands alone, I have ray all restored ; My nil, Tliy property 1 own, Tl. ntewaid of my Lord." SANCTIFICATION. 103 say Tho holy John 8pcncer pays, " As to my class meetings, I agonizo in bolioving ])rayGi' for tho whole of tho rnomborsofmy three cliissos, that the whole of them may bo sanctified throii<;hout, body, soul, and spirit, knowing ihnt wliile my prayer is being ofV od up, faithful is He that hath called them, wh'^ also will do it. I confess heforo them my utmost s.dvation to tho very outside of what I enjoy. This honours Crod, and does not exalt self, as those who are not cleansed from tho- filth of self and pride say, no bles^sing can be held without confession." Mr. Rogers, when speaking of his wife, says^ *'I believe mostof those who attended tho class meet- ing with her, both in London and other places, found it good for their souls. While speaking to, and praying with them, many, very many, have been enabled to witness a clear sense of (iod's forgiving- love; and others, at the same time, have obtained salvation from inbred sin ; a doctrine this, of which she had the clearest views. And to its validity, her own conduct bore a constant testi- mony. And although she clearly perceived tho need of a gradual work, daily exhorting believers to ' grow in grace,' yet she saw it her duty to bid those who felt the burden of indwelling sin, to look for tho total destruction of it, in one moment ; ever pressing them to believe for the blessing ; to be- lieve now; insistinif, 'If thou canst believe, all *s» th in gs are possible to him that believeth.' And tho Lord set his seal to the truths she enforced. 104 SHARP ARROWS. Many, throiii;li her, wcro instiint:ou1 ; so that all your tempers and passion.- shall b(^ henceforth regulated and gov- erned by Kim, who now sitteth upon the throne of your hoart, making all things new ; they shall, therefore, l»c all holy. And as you onee resisted the Holy Spirit, so now you have the power as easily to resist all the subtle or fierce attacks of Satan; yea, his suggestions to evil shall be like a ball thrown against a wall of brass! It shall rebound back again ; and you shall know what that UiGanoth : The ])rince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in mo.' "'Ho then, with lifted hands, cried, 'Who will thus bo saved? Who will believe the report? You are only, in an improper sense, called be- lievers, who reject this. Who is a believer? one that believes a few things which his God hath spoken ? Nay, but one who believes all that ever proceeded out of Ilis mouth I Here, then, is the word of the Lord : As sin abounded, grace shall much more abound ! As no good thing was in you by nature, so now no evil thing shall remain. Do you believe this? or are you a half believer only? Come, Jesus is offered to thee a perfect Saviour ! Take him, and ho will make thee a perfect saint. O ye half believers, will you still plead for the murderers of your Lord ? AVhich of these will you hide as a serpent in your bosom ? Shall it be anjrcr, pride, self-will, or accurt pr unbelief? be no SHARP ARROWS. no longer befooled ! Bring these enemies to the Lord, and lot him slay them. Then spread his fame abroad.' " ' Some days after this, being in Mr. Fletcher's company, ho took me by the hand, and said, ' Glory be to God ! for you, my sister, still bear a noble testimony for your Lord. l)o you repent your confession of his salvation?' I an;swered, 'Blessed be God, I do not.' At going away, ho again took me by the hand, saying, with eyes and heart lifted up, 'Bleys her. Heavenly power!' It seemed as if an instant answer was given, and a beam of glory lot down ! I was filled with deep humility and love ; yea, my whole soul overflowed with the unutterable sweetness.' " In order to keep the blessing you must con- stantly believe, not merely believe that God is your Father, but believe that the blood does just now, this moment, cleanse the soul. As you get the blessing so you will have to keep it. You did not get it until you believed for it, and not earth nor hell can take it from you, while you thus be- lieve. If a legion of devils beset you, and tell you that you have not the blessing, why then tell them you will have it, and that moment lift your heart to God, and " in hope against all human hope, self desperately believe." If Satan tells you that your preacher, leader, class-companions, wife, husband, father, mother, friend, &c., will not believe that you have got the blessing ; still believe and obey, until you cannot help believing. You must still grow ^ANCTIIICATION. HI nd, 'OU itil ow in grace, and goon to increase with all the increaBe of God. Get more faith, more knowledge, more holy zeal, burning love to bouIs, more love to the word of God. Feel more willing to help God's cause, more ardent love for close t-j)raying, more holy kindness to your wife, servantw, children, fellow-saints, nu}', enemies. You must practise self-denial until you love to practice it, you must follow the spirit of God until you know its softest Avhisper from the voice of an enemy. You mu.^t get so lull of God that you will see His glory in every bargain, and seek another's profit, and not your own alone. You must never begin to reason or doubt, or in any wa^'' depend upon your feelings for the evidence of your sanctilication, or suspend your faith for a motnent. Jf you do this, you lay aside the only shield which can quench the fiery darts of the wicked one, overcome the world, and enable you to do all things. It is by faith alone the blessing is received, and it is by faith the blessing is kept, as it is written, ''Ihe just shall live bj^ faith." The sanctified per.son believes with his heart and confes.ses with his mouth, that the blood of Jesus Christ cleansetli him now, this moment, from all sin, and it is a continual remedy now with him. He will allow nothing to rob him of his faith. The eye of his mind is ever fixed on Christ as the onl}' sufficient procui-ing cause of all spiritual blessings. He relies upon the blood as cleansing him now, and thus, through all the va- 112 SHARJ' AliROWS. rioty of foolings, whether of joy or «orrow ; or if in heavincHs tlirough manifold temptations, lie coiintB it all joy, even while onduriiii,^ temptation, and will rejoice in ChriHt Jesus, having no confidonee in the tlesh. Thus he is enabled to worship (rod in the spirit, rejoice everniore, pray without censing, and in every thing give thanks ; nay, nothing can now move him, for ho is more than a conqueror through the blood of the Lamb. Being strong in the faith, giving glory to God, he can remove mountains. Thus you see the connection between faitli and purity; Christ dwells in the heart by * faith, and while thus dwelling in us, we arc rooted and grounded in His love ; and so long as wo abide in Him, and His words abide in us, we may ask what we will and it shall bo given unto us. Therefore whatsoever things we desire when we are in this state, we can ask and believe that we receive them ; and while in the act of asking and believing, they arc imparted unto us according to our faith. May He, Avho is the Author of Faith, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you, through Jesus Christ. In conclusion, I do not think it inconsistent with Christian n\odesty, to say it is my settled conviction, that evei*y real Methodist who reads these chapters on Christian perfection, if he is clear in justification, and earnestly panting for entire sanctitiouLion, may see the way to obtain the blessing and to keep it. Likewise, any who have lost it, may find how to regain their para- dise, and get back their purifying hope ; and now " 'J'o FiitluT, Son, Jind Holy Ghost, Who sweetly uU ugree. To sfivo a ■vvorld of .dinners lost. Eternal glory he. — Amen." or if in 1 countB uul will jnoo in (rod in ^easing, ing can nqueror :rong in remove between eart by 3 rooted I as wo we may into 118. hen we that we ing and 'ding to if Faith, ul settle msiBtont ' settled 10 readti if he is ting for obtain my who 3ir para- and now