(1) I ask, in the first place, whether it is wise to speak of faith as the one thing needful, and the only thing required, as many seem to do now-a-days in handling the doctrine of sanctification? -Is it wise to proclaim in so bald, naked, and unqualified a way as many do, that holiness of converted people is by faith only, and not at all by personal exertion? Is it according to the proportion of God's Word? I doubt it. I shall therefore put my hints into the form of questions, and I shall request my readers to take them as "Cautions for the Times on the subject of holiness." But something must be ventured in the interests of God's truth. I know that I do so at the risk of seeming presumptuous, and possibly of giving offence. I now feel it a duty, in sending forth this volume, to offer a few introductory hints to those whose attention is specially directed to the subject of sanctification in the present day. ![]() May the Lord rebuke him! I can not however give up the hope that good will be brought out of evil, that discussion will elicit truth, and that variety of opinion will lead us all to search the Scriptures more, to pray more, and to become more diligent in trying to find out what is "the mind of the Spirit." Just as in time past he has succeeded in mystifying and confusing men's minds about justification, so he is laboring in the present day to make men "darken counsel by words without knowledge" about sanctification. It is his interest, therefore, to promote strife and controversy about this part of God's truth. Satan knows well the power of true holiness, and the immense injury which increased attention to it will do to his kingdom. If such statements abound, we must not be surprised. It is, however, of great importance that the whole subject should be placed on right foundations, and that the movement about it should not be damaged by crude, disproportion, and one-sided statements. and I am deeply thankful that attention is being directed to the point. It is my firm impression that we want a thorough revival about Scriptural holiness. It is despised by keen-sighted and shrewd men of the world, as an unreal and hollow thing, and brings religion into contempt. It is worse then useless it does positive harm. Sound Protestant and Evangelical doctrine is useless if it is not accompanied by a holy life. Yet sanctification, in its place and proportion, is quite as important as justification. Worldly people sometimes complain with reason that "religious" persons, so-called, are not so amiable and unselfish and good-natured as others who make no profession of religion. The immense importance of "adorning the doctrine of God our Savior" ( Titus 2:10), and making it lovely and beautiful by our daily habits and tempers, has been far too much overlooked. The standard of living has become painfully low in many quarters. The subject of personal godliness has fallen sadly into the background. Politics, or controversy, or party-spirit, or worldliness, have eaten out the heart of lively piety in too many of us. I have had a deep conviction for many years that practical holiness and entire self-consecration to God are not sufficiently attended to by modern Christians in this country. We all see in part, and have a treasure in earthen vessels. If in anything I am still in error, I hope I shall be shown it before I leave the world. I have been content to give the result of my own study of the Bible, my own private meditations, my own prayers for light, and my own reading of old divines. ![]() I have carefully abstained from naming modern teachers and modern books. ![]() The reader will find little that is directly controversial in these papers. Everyone can do something and I wish to add my mite. It is a cause which everyone who loves Christ, and desires to advance His kingdom in the world, should endeavor to help forward. The twenty papers contained in this volume are a humble contribution to a cause which is exciting much interest in the present day-I mean the cause of scriptural holiness.
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